Fred Thompson’s Great Speech

Poli Gazette ^ | December 31, 2007 | Michael van der Galien

[2ndDivisionVet]

In a last attempt to convince Iowa Republicans to vote for him this coming Thursday, Fred Thompson has put a video on YouTube in which he speaks to them for 17 minutes.

In a last attempt to convince Iowa Republicans to vote for him this Thursday, former Senator Fred Thompson has put a video on YouTube in which he speaks to Iowans - and Americans as a whole - for more than 17 minutes. Instead of putting out a 30 second ad, Thompson decided to take voters seriously and to carefully to explain to them why he’s the man to lead America.

Watch it: (VIDEO AT LINK)

It’s interesting to see that he takes shots at all his opponent, although mainly at Mitt Romney (didn’t change his views, consistent conservative, etc.). Not only that, however, he also criticizes the Democratic Party in the video. He argues that the Democratic Party has been taken over by the radical left and that Republicans have to prevent this party from winning the elections in 08.

Perhaps just as importantly, Thompson calls on independents and dissatisfied Democrats to support him. He reaches out to all those who oppose (the influence of) organizations like MoveOn.org (on the Democratic Party). Peter Robinson wrote down the passage:

You know, when I’m asked which of the current group of Democratic candidates I prefer to run against, I always say it really doesn’t matter…These days all those candidates, all the Democratic leaders, are one and the same. They’re all NEA-MoveOn.org-ACLU-Michael Moore Democrats. They’ve allowed these radicals to take control of their party and dictate their course.

So this election is important not just to enact our conservative principles. This election is important to salvage a once-great political party from the grip of extremism and shake it back to its senses. It’s time to give not just Republicans but independents, and, yes, good Democrats a chance to call a halt to the leftward lurch of the once-proud party of working people.

So in seeking the nomination of my own party, I want to say something a little unusual. I am asking my fellow Republicans to vote for me not only for what I have to say to them, but for what I have to say to the members of the other party—the millions of Democrats who haven’t left the Democratic party so much as their party’s national leadership has left them.

Of course his main argument (why people should vote for him) is that he’s the only real conservative candidate. He has, he argues, the best conservative record - which is certainly true. However, everybody knows that. The problem isn’t that Thompson isn’t conservative enough, it’s that he’s not passionate and energetic enough. In the video, however, Thompson overcomes that prejudice: he doesn’t suddenly appear extremely energetic, but perhaps this is an issue that shouldn’t matter. He comes across as calm, reasonable, knowledgeable and stable. A strong leader, in other words.

As Peter puts it: “we have here a serious man, making a serious case–and doing so in the context of a campaign that has otherwise descended into mere caterwauling.”

Macranger is very positive about the speech, calling it the best speech he has heard all year. Jay Curry and Stop the ACLU like the video as well, as does Kim Priestap.

The video (and speech) is good. The question is whether it works. People have to take the time to watch it and to think about it. Political junkies like myself have no problem doing that, but John Doe? I have my doubts.

[Choose Ye This Day]

Keep tilting at your 1% windmills, EV.

[upcountry miss]

Just finished watching it for the second time (this time via a link from Drudge!!!!!!)I listened carefully and thought MAYBE I heard three faint uhs but very faint so couldn’t be sure. If his cadence was any faster, I wouldn’t have caught it all. Big improvement!!!! Don’t have a lot of hope that he can pull it out, but looking at this clip, I could certainly picture him in the white house

[CatQuilt]

Adult ADD? ;-)

I have a short attention span too but I was able to watch the whole thing. I thought it was fabulous. I can’t wait to vote for him.

[Advil000]

That was an inspiring speech by a PATRIOTIC American! Those 17 minutes were worth it. And no, it wasn’t too long.

GO FRED!

[aruanan]

The video (and speech) is good. The question is whether it works. People have to take the time to watch it and to think about it. Political junkies like myself have no problem doing that, but John Doe? I have my doubts.

If John Doe doesn't have time for anything but being swayed by 30 second commercials, then he should really be called John Dope.