Posted on 01/18/2008 5:58:15 PM PST by Jim Robinson
Commentators are citing the unpredictability of the Republican primary contests as proof that Reagan conservatism is dead when precisely the opposite conclusion is warranted.
The main reason the conventional wisdom is being shattered in the primaries is that conservative voters, so far, have not been persuaded there is an electable, reliable conservative in the race.
But as I've stated before, I believe Fred Thompson is a reliable, consistent conservative. There are others in the field I could support, but not without some reservations. The more I learn about Fred and observe him in action, the more convinced I become that he's the right choice.
I was among those who urged Fred to step up and prove to the people he wanted the job. Regardless of whether Fred actually had "fire in his belly," the unmistakable perception out there was that he did not, so I encouraged him to add a little spring to his step.
But I've also appreciated Fred's unwillingness to be somebody he is not. He will not respond like a puppet when a debate moderator tells him to raise his hand to signify a childishly simplistic approval or disapproval of a certain policy. He will not be goaded by interviewers into saying things he doesn't feel comfortable saying. He won't divide us with class envy or pretend we can be friends with rogue regimes or terrorists.
He does not promise a chicken in every pot or pander to liberals on global warming.
He will not otherwise tailor his positions to suit the demands of particular constituencies. For example, he has the courage to preach that Social Security is in trouble, but unlike most others, he doesn't surrender to the oppressive populist seduction to urge government fixes for it or for healthcare. Instead, he courageously tells us — if we'll listen — that the answers lie in greater market forces. (Listen up, conservatives.)
Fred does not run from his record; more to the point, he doesn't need to. He shoots straight without the constant self-serving reminders that he does, as in telling us he's driving the "Straight Talk Express."
More importantly, Fred is right on the issues, and there's little doubt his positions are firm. Research his stances; read his position papers. You'll find he's very strong in all areas important to mainstream conservatives, including national defense, taxes, spending, life, immigration, federalism, appointing originalist judges, healthcare, and education.
I'm not drooling over Fred or saying his record is flawless, but I am saying he's the real deal, and it's a bit disappointing that more haven't taken a closer look.
I think this is due partly to his laid-back personality and partly to his timing. He peaked about the time he was contemplating entering the race but not acting on it. By the time he jumped in, it was anticlimactic, and he still hasn't recovered from that reversal.
There has also been a negative momentum hovering over his already-stalled campaign, acting as a psychological barrier to his catching fire among conservative voters.
There is simply too much herd mentality among us about electability. We tell ourselves a candidate is not inspiring, then pretty soon we're convinced he's unelectable, and, voila, he almost becomes so. Yet, at that very moment, he's proving to us that he is quite presidential, quite electable and quite motivated for the job — if we can only shed our predispositions against his "electability."
Since electability is often a matter of collective perception, it can turn on a dime, as with the reversal of the respective fortunes of screaming Howard Dean and somniferous John Kerry in 2004.
This primary season, relatively speaking, has just begun. But Fred is now up against the wall. How can we expect him to have done much better than he has to date with everyone prattling on about the overwhelming odds against him? The "experts" continue to be wrong at almost every turn, so why can't they be wrong about Fred, too?
It's time to quit empowering them by following their dictatorial doom-prophecies. It’s encouraging that John Zogby's latest South Carolina poll shows that while levels of support for McCain and Huckabee "have remained static," Fred is starting to move up.
Supporters have asked Fred to step up, and he has — he has shone brilliantly in the last month, setting himself head and shoulders above the pack in many cases. Now it's time for conservative voters to step up and quit placing artificial limitations on Fred, and on themselves.
Fred has answered the conservatives' call. Shouldn't we answer his?
David Limbaugh is a writer, author, and attorney. His book "Bankrupt: The Intellectual and Moral Bankruptcy of Today's Democratic Party" (Regnery) was recently released in paperback. To find out more about David Limbaugh, please visit his Web site at www.davidlimbaugh.com
LOL at your tag line!
His best support has come from the radio talk shows. He and Mitt will get no msm support. If Fred wins SC you will see him get the negative msm stories. Right now Mitt is getting the negative stories and McQueeq the puff pieces.
“H&C just had on huckabee AGAIN! Gave the Huck an opportunity to respond to Fred’s comments on Huck’s remarks about a “living and breathing document” when referring to the constitution. Sad, but I don’t expect H&C to have Fred on the air to discuss his own comments. It’s a crying shame that the media plays such games in these primaries and elections...and FNC has become one of the biggest game players of all.”
I feel the same way, but at least Mark Levin had Fred on today talking about it. He also had Clint Walker on who is a Fred supporter! GO FRED!
And Free Republic deserves A LOT of the credit for bringing Rudy's numbers so far down.
When you posted the "bug zapper" thread, a lot of conservative blogs and pundits seemed to start saying a lot more about how liberal Rudy is. It might have been a coincidence, but I think they saw the groundswell of conservatives who were refusing to vote for a liberal just because some claimed he was "electable."
Thats something that I noticed. Once people get over the MSM spouts and really look at Fred they become committed Fred supporters. I know several people who never campaigned or got involved in politics that I have sent his white papers to and now they are sending them onto friends. They often contact me to let me know that they have shown other people what Fred stands for.
Once you take a good look at Fred...there is no doubt.
” He knows the U.S. Constituion is NOT a living document to be toyed with by judges without clue one.”
Fred knows the Constitution period. Puts him up above most of them I suspect.
You are a suspect. ;-) Just kidding.
I agree.
LOL
Of course, now that it turns out the great conservative "real deal" savior Fred Thompson was on the "wrong side" of BOTH those issues, suddenly it's not a factor in who the leader of the free world should be. Instead we have people using meaningless rhetoric like "nanny stater" as the "bar" on whether to support a candidate. The fact someone is solidly pro-life, pro-family, pro-gun, and was the RIGHT side of those issues is no longer a factor.
Can't imagine FR ciara 1999 saying "hey, Arlen Specter opposed impeachment, but he says he's a FEDERALIST -- gosh darn it, FEDERALISM is the REAL issue here -- he must be the only conservative in the race!!"
The candidate's haven't changed. FR has. And that's not a good thing.
On the plus side, former GOP "frontrunner" Rudy Giulaini can't even seem to outpoll Ron Paul these days... and that IS a good thing.
I have had Fred as my choice since way before he announced. I had hoped he woud but I need for him to start making some ground. He really is the only guy worthy of my vote.
“On the plus side, former GOP “frontrunner” Rudy Giulaini can’t even seem to outpoll Ron Paul these days... and that IS a good thing.”
Ah, your buddy Tommy wouldn’t feel the same way. Tommy Thompson endorsed Rudy.
http://www.joinrudy2008.com/article/missed/892
Fred voted to convict on the obstruction of justice charge (and you know that), and all it took to throw Clinton out was conviction on one charge. I see you conveniently left that out of your rant as anti-Fred always seem to do when they bring up Fred and the Clinton impeachment.
Fred was wrong on McCain Feingold, virtually all of his supporters admit that, as does Fred himself. However, his overall conservative record shines above that mistake. We all make mistakes, we all vote for candidates or bills (by supporting them) that we later find were not right. I regret my vote for Ahhnold....oh well.
Nearly all of us here at FR voted for Bush and he signed CFR. Supporting Fred or Duncan is consistent with conservatism. Supporing ANY of the other candidates is not.
JRob...just watched Hannity and Colmes. Scott Rasmussen and KellyAnne Conway (Republican pollster) were on discussing SC.
Conway said 41 percent of voters polled since Wednesday may change their votes and Fred Thompson was the second choice among those voters. Rasmussen went along with it.
In fact, Alan Colmes of all people predicted a Thompson win, and he wasn’t being nasty. I believe Rasmussen said it could happen as they went to break...four winners after tomorrow.
Pollsters and pundits are actually talking about a potential Fred win in SC! Let’s hope the good Republicans in SC do the right thing.
Read up, SC. See? These polls cannot reflect undecided voters and those who are poised to swing. Fred can win. Let's get him some SC DELEGATES!
The author mispelled son-of-a-bitch but other than that it's a good article.
Wow, thanks for that uplifting post! Go Fred Go!
I’m not drooling over Fred or saying his record is flawless, but I am saying he’s the real deal, and it’s a bit disappointing that more haven’t taken a closer look.
—
Bump that!
It seems strange that they’re hedging their bets about Fred tonight. It would seem like silly hope if just wasn’t so logical.
Fred should be the man in South Carolina. I heard him on Levin tonight...he was awesome. His knowledge on the issues is amazing.
A man does not sell out his constituents for political expediency.
A man does not court a VP slot on a liberal ticket while saying he's conservative.
Nor does a man bastardize his religion and faith to garner political favor.
Fred Thompson is a man.
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