Can Thompson's late effort pay off?

Gannett News Service ^ | December 23, 2007 | Williams Theobald

[County Agent Hank Kimball]

Even his harshest critics would likely concede that Fred Thompson had a good campaign swing through Iowa this week.

But as he headed home to Virginia on Saturday for a three-day Christmas break before returning to Iowa for the second half of his Iowa bus tour, the question that this last-minute effort began with still stands.

[wardaddy]

If Giuliani were a devout Catholic, it would be his nomination in a rout.

I don’t think the average American Catholic is as devout as maybe they once were or this would be a more conservative nation....FReeper Catholics notwithstanding

[Route66]

Senators vote, they don't lead people. To be a proven leader , you have to have directed people, given orders. You have to have been an executive.to have done these things.

Fred's experience has proven him competent, capable, pertained to issues of national security and left those whom he served satisfied and with a sense of respect for his service.

Huckabee's executive experience was riddled with ethics scandals, a ridiculous number of clemencies that went against the advice and best interest of others in his state, showed a propensity for taking "gifts" in lieu of favors, and left the conservatives in Arkansas with tatters for a movement after his betrayal of them after taking office.

No matter the platform for experience, it matters most what the individual does with his opportunity. I submit Fred Thompson has shown himself better at executing his responsibilities than Huckabee. Mike's executive position simply proved him to be wanting.

[wardaddy]

I agree...which is the only thing about Huckster I’m willing to defend.

It’s Hunter or Thompson for me...and Hunter is done for and maybe Thompson too

so then what?

dang if I know

[Soliton]

"We all live our faith"

Rudy is a Catholic who supports abortion and has been divorced twice. Is that living his faith?

Mitt is a proud Mormon, but he was for abortion before he was against it: Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must not submit to, perform, encourage, pay for, or arrange for an abortion. Church members who encourage an abortion in any way may be subject to Church discipline. Does Mitt live his faith?

Clearly not every candidate lives their faith. Try finding one on the Democrat side. I picked out these two because their failings are glaring, not because they are unique. There is nothing unAmerican in living your faith openly as a presidential candidate, regardless of what that faith might be. It is also okay not to vote for someone because you disagree with him. Where you are wrong is in equating the personal religion of the President as somehow being promoting a state religion. That's what the muslims do.

[Tall_Texan]

IF (big IF) Fred gets a surge at the caucuses, he can appear to have some momentum by finishing second or a close third while such a result might have looked like a defeat a few months ago so he may get momentum by exceeding recent dour expectations.

South Carolina is still going to be the key for him. If he doesn’t do well there, I think the bottom will fall out.

[jellybean]

... but I think it’s amazing how someone who wears his Christianity on his sleeve gets folks going.

I don't have a problem with someone who wears their Christianity on their sleeve unless they use it as a shield to deflect legitimate criticism of their policy positions. Huck uses that ploy too frequently as does Romney to a certain extent.

[Soliton]

Fred's experience has proven him competent, capable, pertained to issues of national security

please give me one example of a policy developed by Fred as a senator or on his committees related to national security (actual experience)

[taildragger]

IF (big IF) Fred gets a surge at the caucuses, he can appear to have some momentum by finishing second or a close third while such a result might have looked like a defeat a few months ago so he may get momentum by exceeding recent dour expectations.

Tall,

If every Conservative Freeper emailed a conservative friend and asked for Fred support, think where we would be.

Even better think where the lame-stream-media would be, they have been feeding us everyone else for umpteen weeks, lets stick to them...

[Soliton]

"It’s Hunter or Thompson for me...and Hunter is done for and maybe Thompson too so then what?"

Fred will probably then endorse McCain, they're pals.

[OKIEDOC]

The problem I have with Huck is the record set by his predecessor George Bush.

We were made promises by the President, Congress and the Republican party that our border security and immigration would be taken care of quickly.

We trusted one man who wears his religion out on his sleeve so to speak so why should we trust someone who’s record is less than sound when it comes to pushing the conservative agenda.

I am beginning to wonder whether or not any Republican candidate will be able to win come November 08.

It looks as though the Democrat money men and MSM are trying to do everything possible to pull the country into a depression before the election.

Power at any costs.

I respect your right to have any candidate you want but I was first a Hunter candidate and now a Thompson.

If Huck gets the nomination he will get my vote.

[2nd amendment mama]

TO: Fred Thompson Insiders
FROM: Bill Lacy
DATE: December 24, 2007
RE: A Christmas Present for all Fred Supporters

A Christmas present for all Fred supporters: The latest Strategic Vision Iowa Republican poll shows Fred in a strong third and poised for a solid finish in Iowa!  The Iowa bus tour has been successful thus far and will be ready to start up again right after the Christmas holiday.  Please take a moment to visit our website for a special holiday message in honor of the tremendous sacrifice of the men and women of our armed forces. On behalf of Fred and the entire campaign staff, thank you for your continued support. 

FRED BY THE NUMBERS...

Strategic Vision Iowa Republican poll (12/21/07)

Mike Huckabee 31%
Mitt Romney 25%
Fred Thompson 16%
John McCain 8%
Rudy Giuliani 6%
Ron Paul 5%
Tom Tancredo 2%
Duncan Hunter 1%
Undecided 6%

KEN'S CORNER...

There has been a lot of speculation about the Holiday pause and its effect on the Iowa caucuses. My guess is that Iowa caucus goers will take another careful look at the candidates. When they do, they will continue to move toward Fred Thompson.  Fred has laid out specific proposals based on long held core principles, and the people of Iowa will move away from those candidates who have presented policies based on public opinion polls rather than principles.

Merry Christmas,

 Ken Rietz

FRED IN THE NEWS...

• NY Post: He's Finally Freddy for Prime Time
  • Fred Thompson's disappointed fans have something to cheer about at last. After sinking to single digits in the polls, the former "Law & Order" actor is making a comeback.

AND ON THE WEB....

• Politico: Mitt got the candidate Fred gets the worker
  • Tom Tancredo may have gotten behind Mitt Romney yesterday, but the Tanc's top guy on the ground in Iowa will help out Fred.
  • A retired Marine and active farmer, Bill Salier had served as Tancredo's Iowa state chair.  He's a true believing social conservative who ran an uphill race in the '02 GOP Senate primary that raised some eyebrows.

They Said It... "Fred Thompson is on top of his game"

"Fred Thompson returned to Iowa with a re-invigorated pitch"

"Thompson returned to Iowa for a 22-county bus tour after a strong showing in last week's Des Moines Register debate, along with collecting the endorsement of U.S. Rep Steve King, a Kiron Republican." (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, 12/20)

"King's support, and Thompson's debate showing, also caught the eye of veteran Des Moines Register columnist David Yepsen, who made the case this week that Thompson should not be counted out." (Politico, 12/20)

"Thompson has sensed an opening in Iowa, and he's moving decisively to exploit it." (David Yepsen, Des Moines Register, 12/18)

"Fred Thompson hammered home his 'constant, consistent conservative' record and values to a crowd of about 150 in Davenport on Wednesday." (Quad City Times, 12/19)

"On the stump, Thompson has sharpened his message of lower taxes, limited government and a get-tough approach to illegal immigration, hoping to break through with Iowa's sizable bloc of conserva tives." (Reuters, 12/20)

"His red meat speeches are redder. His arguments for why he should be president are sharper." (CNN, 12/18)

"It has been replaced by a much more crisp, energetic, focused stump speech. The crowd seemed more engaged and rowdy and Thompson had the enthusiasm to match." (David Brody, CBN, 12/18)

"His voice booming and words wry and fiery" (NYT, 12/17)

"The 'X-factor' in this race is former Sen. Fred Thompson...Thompson has perhaps the most broadly conservative record of any candidate..." (Tim Carney, Human Events, 12/19)I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed holiday

 

 
William B. Lacy
Campaign Manager

[kalee]

Go Fred!

[Route66]

You are attempting to take the focus off Huckabee’s record. You can’t refute my point which is that Huckabee has had executive experience which provides proof that he is not an ethical, trustworthy conservative choice for voters in this election. Arkansas conservatives have gone out of their way to warn the country about Mike Huckabee. He was not faithful to them. We can’t trust him to be faithful to us.

[Soliton]

In an earlier post I said that Huckabee wasn’t qualified to be president even though he has executive experience. I am not supporting him as a candidate but defending his right to be religious without being ridiculed. I don’t think we have a qualified candidate partly because to have any experience is a liability in todays climate.

Obambi beats Hitlery because she has a record (of sorts). I don’t see why it is so hard for people to understand that a candidate for a job should have previous experience doing the same thing. otherwise it is an “entry-level” job. Does anyone other than Al Sharpton believe POTUS is an entry-level job?

[aruanan]

The difference between southern Fred and southern Huck is that everyone understands that fred is acting, Huck is the real deal.

And you really feel no shame at all saying something so transparently ridiculous?

[Soliton]

Also you didn’t give me an exaple of Fred’s foreign policy experience.

[Soliton]

"And you really feel no shame at all saying something so transparently ridiculous?" I can defend it. What do you disagree with?

[Finny]

So well said it deserves to be posted again:

... Huckabee wants to use the power of government to advance his 'christian' beliefs .... Fred has a coherent political philosophy of limited government. As a conservative, he recognizes the limits of our knowledge and power. He won't create a government that will punish my enemies, and be an election away from being a tool for my opponents to punish me.

[Route66]

Fred’s foreign policy experience is more than either of the 2 governors running in this race. He served as special counsel for the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations from 1980-1981 and as special counsel for the Senate Intelligence Committee in 1982. These positions entailed a significant amount of exposure to foreign policy issues.

Still, we are all willing to concede he has no executive experience, but being President is far different from any political job in America. We are not electing a manager in chief. We are electing someone who can lead and inspire with quality ideas and who can be trusted with the most urgent affairs of our nation. I trust Fred.

[Soliton]

You need to do your homework. He was legal counsel on these committees. He has newer experience, but it’s weak too, basically conducting sporadic meetings while working as a full-time actor.

George W had executive experience in a very large state.

George HW was VP, Senator, Ambassador to China, Director of the CIA.

Reagan had executive experience in the 12th largest economy in the world.

Nixon, Senator, Vice President, foreign policy expert

Eisenhower, Directed the largest movement of men and materiel in the history of the world and did it successfully, while dealing with friend and foe all around the world.