Thompson Can Unify Republicans

Human Events ^ | 18 January 2008 | Jed Babbin

[SE Mom]

Faced with either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama as their national opponent, Republicans cannot risk disunity in the fall campaign. Whoever is the Republicans nominate must be able to both unify and energize the core constituencies of their party. When South Carolinians go to the polls tomorrow, their choice is between several men who cannot unify the party and one who probably can.

Fred Thompson’s ability to unify conservatives around their core principles should be much on South Carolinians’ minds. As should the record of the other contenders.

...

Among the serious contenders in South Carolina is Fred Thompson. Is he the unifying force around which conservatives can rally? His record is based more on personal choices than on alliances with liberals. Thompson’s ability to unify Republicans stems from two things. First, his gut-level conservatism. Which leads to the second, trust.

When asked a question, Thompson reacts comfortably without pausing to ponder which focus group will react in which way. He seems comfortable in his own skin. His avuncular style is a bit too folksy at times, but his answers are consistent and – in a way voters will see – principled. Which means people will trust Thompson.

This year the American electorate is more angry and disgruntled than I have seen it in more than four decades of study. Neither the President nor Congress – having failed to win the war, secure our borders or control reckless government spending – have the voters’ trust. The biggest issue this year may not be the war, or taxes, or the economy. Trust could overwhelm them all. And people trust Fred Thompson.

[fideist]

He’ll lose in SC, drop out, and endorse McCain like Brownback did.

I can’t wait to read the FReeper apologists then.

I’ll bet Rush says nothing about it.

[TheThinker]

Pubbies are getting more desperate but they have to wake up in SC. There has to be some sign that Thompson can win in the South.

Fred is a politician and everything that goes with that but I think he tries to be as good as he can be. That's what makes him special.

[Miss Didi]

He only read the first paragraph and then this tidbit: "Throughout his career, Sen. John McCain has been a divisive force in Republican politics. His most famous victories and defeats were on measures in which he had allied himself with liberal Democrats."

Rush did have some positive Fred sound bites at the beginning of the show.

[pallis]

Go Fred!

[Rummyfan]

Thank you Jed!

All FDT needs is votes! Come on South Carolina - start the Fred Revolution!

[Route66]

At least Rush did read this and mention that McCain is most divisive and that Fred is the candidate recommended as the one who can unite the GOP. Rush did not say he disagreed.

[ksen]

I like Fred but if he really could unite and energize Republicans why hasn’t he done it yet?

[Camel Joe]

This is the first Southern primary, don’t let the lamestream media dissuade you!!!

[Miss Didi]

And he said that Babbin was “right on the money!”

[rickomatic]

He’ll lose in SC, drop out, and endorse McCain like Brownback did. I can’t wait to read the FReeper apologists then. I’ll bet Rush says nothing about it.

If that happens, the thing to watch is how the national polls move in regards to Hillary or Obama vs any of the left over Republicans. My guess is that the Dems get a huge bounce nationally from it if it happens, because we will have no more viable "real" conservatives left in the race.

[ksen]

IF they want a real conservative.

I think that's the problem with today's republican voter. Conservatism comes second to electability. If they are convinced the conservative isn't electable they'll abandon the conservative in a NY minute.

I give you Hunter as example A and Thompson as example B and Paul as example C.

[isrul]

Yeah. One day before the primary.

[Camel Joe]

Fred is not a politician he is an actor that has found it in his very big heart to put himself through this very crappy process to help the country he loves.

[ksen]

He’ll lose in SC, drop out, and endorse McCain like Brownback did.

I agree.

I'm guessing most of the FR posters will start supporting Romney. When that happens any talk about Romney's flip flopping and liberal running of Massachussetts will be quickly shouted down as coming from DU'ers or Leftists.

It'll make the Paul bashing look like a love-fest.

[isrul]

I may be wrong but I think this is the first “contest” in which he has seriously participated. And he even came to this, perhaps, a little late.

[bill1952]

Conservatives really don’t need to be unified.
There simply needs to be a conservative running.

McCain is the epitome of a RINO and a leftist leaning one as well.
Huckabee is a evangelical democrat running on the GOP ticket because the democrats do not want white evangelicals.

Ron Paul is a loon.

Rudy is the liberal NE version of a RINO.
Gay pride marching, anti gun, etc, etc, ad nauseum.
Mitt is a slick politician from Massachusetts who operates on the finger in the air principle and I have seen little basis for any conviction at all

McCain is the Senator most proved to betray us on any and every issue: Immigration, amnesty, taxes, free speech. etc, etc.

Fred and Hunter not being elected in a landslide, in SC of all places, is a very, very bad sign for the GOP in general, and for the conservatives specifically.

Rudy looks to take Florida at this date from what I see here.

[Camel Joe]

Got any more of what yer smokin? McCain is the reason I am rescinding my Republican Party membership and aligning myself with the Conservative party. You can take your global climate change and shove up the place where the sun don’t shine Mr. McCain.

[Rummyfan]

THAT'S MY MAN!

[BlueStateRefugee]

Sounds like another actor that most of us love.

[MeanWestTexan]

“Rush reading this now...”

Thank God!