Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Fred Thompson Is the Real Deal
NewsMax ^ | January 15, 2008 | Philip V. Brennan

Posted on 01/15/2008 1:39:56 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet

Back in 1964 when I was PR director of the GOP Truth Squad in the Goldwater presidential campaign, a film of a Ronald Reagan speech was broadcast on the local station in the city where we were campaigning at the moment.

Reagan, then a private citizen, was electrifying. He laid out exactly what was at stake in the campaign while providing an explanation of what America was all about and the philosophy that makes us what we are: a nation operating under a Constitution that spells out exactly the very limited role that government is allowed to play in its citizen's lives.

Reagan described just how far we as a nation had strayed from observing the conditions laid down in that document, and was so persuasive that we recognized that what has since become known simply "The Speech" could become a major asset in Barry's campaign if it were given wide national exposure.

Convinced it could play a key part in educating the American people as to what was really at stake in the election, I got a copy of the speech and with Sen. Carl Curtis, the Squad's co-chairman, I flew back to Washington to play it for the campaign bigwigs and urge them to see that it was used as a major campaign weapon.

Our pleas fell on deaf ears; but the speech itself helped propel Ronald Reagan into the upper ranks of national politics and, eventually, the presidency.

History has just repeated itself. Another speech by another famous American has surfaced. Just as exposure to Reagan's 1964 speech was limited, this new 17-minute address by Fred Thompson could be seen and heard only on the Internet, broadcast solely on YouTube.

Thompson is spellbinding as he explains, in his Southern-grandfatherly way, where we are and were we should be if we will start observing the Constitution once again. If the great mass of Republican voters are given the chance to see and hear this speech I have no doubt that he will be the GOP presidential nominee for 2008.

It reveals him to be the candidate all Republicans have been saying that want to carry their banner this year.

Fred Thompson is for real.

What you see is what you get: a solid, thoughtful man firmly wedded to the principle of federalism and disabused of the notion that the solutions to all of our problems lie in Washington D.C.

Rush Limbaugh complains that what is lacking in the GOP field are "the right people to express our conservative ideas and principles."

Said Rush:"when conservative truths are heard, it's an affecting and effective message. People have revelations when they hear it. They just haven't been hearing it from people who want to lead the party and who want to lead the country. So what's lacking here is not ideas and not principles, but the right people to speak them and the right people to develop strategies to win elections based on those ideas and principles."

He went on to say "What's lacking here is not ideas and not principles, but the right people to speak them and the right people to develop strategies to win elections based on those ideas and principles. What's lacking, if you will, is intellectual and political leadership.

"Let me be even more specific. Where's the Russell Kirk? Where's the Bill Buckley? Where's the Milton Friedman of our day? Where's the Barry Goldwater, the Ronald Reagan? We have people who claim to hold the mantle of these greats, and yet they also claim that the mantle to hold is not worth holding, that we gotta redefine it because the era is over. If you believe that liberty, national security, free enterprise, faith, and the Constitution are dead, then what are you saying? On what do you base your definition of conservatism? If we don't properly diagnose the problem, we aren't going to be able to fix this."

Rush, he's right there before your eyes, You even recognized him when you said, "Look what happens. I have a headline: 'A Combative Thompson Sways Voters, ' But then last night — we hadn't even been thinking about him — all of a sudden it was clear he was the one,' said Mr. Berenberk, a retired teacher. 'The bluntness, the forcefulness. He was really impressive.'"

Rush, use your incredible reach to make Fred's speech available to your millions of listeners. Let them decide for themselves if Fred Thompson is the man we're all been hoping for. It can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=VblJq4j0_SE.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Phil Brennan is a veteran journalist and World War II Marine who writes for Newsmax.com. He is editor and publisher of Wednesday on the Web (http://www.pvbr.com) and was Washington columnist for National Review magazine in the 1960s.

He also served as a staff aide for the House Republican Policy Committee and helped handle the Washington public relations operation for the Alaska Statehood Committee which won statehood for Alaska. He is also a trustee of the Lincoln Heritage Institute and a member of the Association For Intelligence Officers.

He can be reached at pvb@pvbr.com.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Editorial; Politics/Elections; US: South Carolina; US: Tennessee
KEYWORDS: 2008; conservatism; conservatives; election; electionpresident; elections; fred; fredthompson; gop; primaries; reagan; reaganesque; republicans; ronaldreagan; rush; rushlimbaugh; sc2008; southernstrategy; talkradio; thompson
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-39 next last
What he said.
1 posted on 01/15/2008 1:39:59 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

Yep.


2 posted on 01/15/2008 1:41:36 PM PST by MaryFromMichigan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

Pissant will be here in a few to post more of his loser comments....5.....4......3.....2....


3 posted on 01/15/2008 1:41:39 PM PST by Pistolshot (Those with a lively sense of curiosity learn something new every day of their lives.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

So where’s a link to this video? Does he mean the message to Iowa voters?


4 posted on 01/15/2008 1:44:22 PM PST by Styria
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

I hope FRed sticks it out...these open primaries are democratically design to help Hilda, HANG IN THERE FRED!!


5 posted on 01/15/2008 1:45:28 PM PST by Doogle (USAF.68-73..8th TFW Ubon Thailand..never store a threat you should have eliminated))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

Can you find a transcript? The link to youtube was a bust. Can’t find the video but it really doesn’t matter. A transcript would be better IMHO.


6 posted on 01/15/2008 1:45:55 PM PST by SatinDoll (Fredhead and proud of it!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Styria; All

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VblJq4j0_SE.


7 posted on 01/15/2008 1:46:23 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (Your "dirt" on Fred is about as persuasive as a Nancy Pelosi Veteran's Day Speech)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Pistolshot

...and then HKWASD with his “interesting Fred facts” that are anything but.....


8 posted on 01/15/2008 1:47:20 PM PST by Uriah_lost ("I don't apologize for the United States of America," -Fred D Thompson)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet
Yea, what he said!

I posted this earlier on another thread of what I'd like to see as Fred's next TV spot to follow up on this (something like this):

You know, my good friend Rush Limbaugh had some important points on his program yesterday. He explained very well how my two of my opponents, McCain and Huckabee, are not conservatives (Fred can elaborate some more here). But he also suggested that we are lacking the right person to speak of these conservative principles and ideas and I'll disagree with him on this point. My entire campaign has been about these bedrock conservative principles and ideas. I have put forth substantive positions in writing on the conservative solutions to the problems plaguing the country today. They're all to be found at fred08.com. No one else in this race comes close to me on this. So I'd like to take this opportunity to tell each of you, and my friend Rush, that I am here to lay claim to the mantle that I'm the right person to lead this charge today under the banner of the clear conservative choice. I may not look like Mitt, nor pander like Mike, but I am the true "Straight Talk Express" for conservatives today and I'm asking for your vote today to allow me to be the leader to continue the Reagan revolution in America.

9 posted on 01/15/2008 1:48:13 PM PST by Servant of the Cross (the Truth will set you free)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SatinDoll

This is the correct link and yes, he was talking about his message to Iowa voters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VblJq4j0_SE


10 posted on 01/15/2008 1:48:48 PM PST by Mister Politics (www.misterpolitics.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

“if the great mass of Republican voters are given the chance to see and hear this speech I have no doubt that he will be the GOP presidential nominee for 2008.”

I was going to say the same thing about that transgender fella griping about how Britney is being treated:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxI7AisYXJg&feature=related


11 posted on 01/15/2008 1:51:42 PM PST by Tulsa Ramjet ("If not now, when?" "Because it's judgment that defeats us.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

“Fred Thompson Is the Real Deal”

He is the only deal the reps have.


12 posted on 01/15/2008 1:52:49 PM PST by 353FMG (Vote for the Person who will do the least damage to our country.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet
I sure hope he places at least 2nd in SC.

If he does, he'll win the whole shootin' match.

If he doesn't...

13 posted on 01/15/2008 1:53:57 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum ("It takes very little to govern good people. Very little. And bad people can't be governed at all.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet
Here is the Link
14 posted on 01/15/2008 1:55:57 PM PST by gridlock (300,000,000 Americans will not be elected President in 2008. Hillary will be one of them.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jellybean; Politicalmom; girlangler; KoRn; Shortstop7; Lunatic Fringe; Darnright; babygene; ...
PING!!

Chard

Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference

WARNING: If you wish to join, be aware that this ping list is EXTREMELY active.

15 posted on 01/15/2008 1:56:42 PM PST by Politicalmom (I'm the aunt of a brand-new Naval Officer. I'm proud of you, Kristi.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pistolshot; pissant
Pissant will be here in a few to post more of his loser comments....5.....4......3.....2....

bad bad dog - no ping

16 posted on 01/15/2008 1:59:34 PM PST by Revelation 911
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

Quit hopin’ and start workin’ if you haven’t already!
http://fred08.com/ has plenty of opportunities for people all around the country to get involved and make a difference. Get a call list and tell the people of upcoming primary States why you think Fred is the BEST choice.
The FRiends of FRed can win the whole shootin’ match if we all get to work!


17 posted on 01/15/2008 2:00:33 PM PST by Uriah_lost ("I don't apologize for the United States of America," -Fred D Thompson)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Revelation 911

Thanks for the PING. Pistolwhipped won’t like my commentary so I will spare him the grief this time.


18 posted on 01/15/2008 2:04:50 PM PST by pissant (Duncan Hunter: Warrior, Statesman, Conservative)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Josh Painter; ejonesie22; papasmurf; Bobbisox; DesScorp; thefactor; fieldmarshaldj; TN4Liberty; ...
FRED'S THE MAN PING!!
19 posted on 01/15/2008 2:08:53 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (Your "dirt" on Fred is about as persuasive as a Nancy Pelosi Veteran's Day Speech)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Servant of the Cross

That was so good that as I read it I was imagining Fred’s voice saying it. You could have a future as a speech writer!!! Great job...

I think this part was some mistyping:

“He explained very well how my two of my opponents, McCain and Huckabee, are not conservatives “

Should read:

“He explained very well how two of my opponents, John McCain and Mike Huckabee, are not conservatives “

Now it’s perfect... : )


20 posted on 01/15/2008 2:15:04 PM PST by Old Teufel Hunden
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-39 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson