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.

[SE Mom]

:)

[Names Ash Housewares]

“Here’s one better: Republicans Can Unify Behind Thompson.

We need to take some responsibility, folks.”

S T R O N G L Y A G R E E D

And we need to fight for conservatism, not just talk about it.

Get out there and help Fred folks.

However you can, money, time, phones.

Just do what you can.

Fred AND us together can stop the RINO herd.

[rightinthemiddle]

Looks like Rush made a push for Thompson today...read this article and asked South Carolinians to consider Fred.

Were they listening?

[Camel Joe]

Wrong! I am a man that has SOLID PRICIPLES that I have twice in the last eight years had to set aside to elect a man that has betrayed those principles to big government and also to amnesty to criminals that slipped across my UNPROTECTED border. I refuse to do so this time round AND accept that we may end up with a socialist President and Congress and hope that it will teach us a lesson we apparently need.

[Camel Joe]

I refuse to wait, until I am too old to fend for myself, to learn the ropes of a socialist state. I would rather hasten that process than elect any candidate who would make me suffer a long drawn out demise. Aside from Hunter this is the only place that ANY of the other candidates would take us.

[Texas Federalist]

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

He has energized those who are movement conservatives, which is why he is polling at 65% or 75% at forums like this one and RedState. The problem is, as commentators like Jonah Goldberg have noted, the Republican party is being fragmented by factions each concerned with their own pet agenda. However, Fred is the only candidate that is acceptable to the vast majority in each faction. Will a socon mobilize for McCain? Probably not. But he will for Thompson. Will a fiscal conservative mobilize for Huckabee? No. But he will for Thompson.

[Kimberly GG]

Actually, it is everything I’ve read and heard him say, in addition to his record on the issues, that prevents me from supporting or ‘uniting’ behind him. Media had nothing to do with it.

[Texas Federalist]

I am so angry right now at how my fellow conservatives have slandered my candidate, I seriously must consider not voting for their candidate if he wins. How many Republicans are out there right now feeling that way?

I'm not considering breaking from the party if my candidate loses because conservatives have slandered my candidate. I'm considering breaking from the party because the other candidates suck so much.

[I'm ALL Right!]

GO FRED!!!!!!!

[Camel Joe]

Exactly! The rest of the pack save Hunter suck!

[Mr Apple]

Fred in ‘08

[Mr Apple]

Fred in ‘08

[SE Mom]

Don’t miss this piece by Jed Babbin

[beelzepug]

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

RAT DROPPINGS!

[rockinqsranch]

“Babbin hits the nail on the FRed...”

DANG! WE Need him, don’t hurt him.

[Spunky]

"Actually, it is everything I’ve read and heard him say, in addition to his record on the issues, that prevents me from supporting or ‘uniting’ behind him."

What sort of things did he say and what did you read that prevents you from supporting him? What were the issues you were interested in and what was his record on them that was not what you would have wanted?

[N3WBI3]

Huck has been my favorite choice but I agree Fred gives everyone 90% of what they want so should he make it to super Tuesday I will likely vote for him..

[Jim Robinson]

Go, FRed, GO!!

[AmericanVictory]

To start winning won’t he have to do more than he has shown to date? We would all like to see it.

[The Mayor]

Thompson can unify the country.