Posted on 01/20/2008 1:08:35 PM PST by Josh Painter
What will Fred do? That's the big question around the Fredosphere on this day following the South Carolina GOP primary.
Many are calling for him to stay in the race. After all, Fred's third place finish beat out Mitt Romney, who had invested considerable time and millions of dollars in SC. Rudy's not getting out, and Fred has finished higher than America's Mayor in five of the six primaries that Republicans have contested so far.
Some have even mapped out strategies for him - skip Florida and concentrate on the Southern states that will figure so prominently in Super Tuesday. Hold out for a brokered convention.
Still others are saying that as the only conservative left in the race, Thompson must stay in to represent conservative principles. Pardon my skepticism, but the Republican Party doesn't seem to be concerned much with conservative principles this election cycle.
In fact, the Republican party has been consistently giving moderates the gold mine and conservatives the shaft ever since the day Ronald Reagan packed his bags and left the White House to return to his beloved California ranch.
Im my opinion, the GOP has turned its back on conservatives too many times, and now it's time for conservatives to turn their backs to it. This was done on a relatively small scale in 2006, and the Democrats took both houses of Congress away from the Republicans. That was a warning shot fired across the bow of the U.S.S. RNC, and it went largely unheeded. Perhaps they need a less subtle message.
I don't know if conservatives will ever be able to regain control of the Republican party again without it having to be taken apart and put back together, but I somewhat doubt it. Maybe with the Clintons back in the White House the Grand Old Party will learn once again to embrace the conservative principles which made it a winner in the Reagan years - maybe not.
Some would like to see Sen. Thompson remain in the race to keep Mike Huckabee from getting the nomination. Although Fred has performed a valuable service to his country by pointing out that The Huckster isn't exactly what he appears to be, now the race is moving on to more states where the other guy from Hope can't depend on identity politics to keep pulling in big vote totals.
So, what will Fred thompson do? The only thing we can be sure of right now is that he will do what he thinks is right. He cannot carry the conservative burden for a party that won't even give him water. He didn't get in the race to stop any one particular rival candidate. Sen. Thompson got in the race because he was concerned about the kind of country that his children and grandchildren would have to grow up in. He was concerned that none of the GOP canidates were talking about federalism or entitlements or some of the other issues that were on his mind.
But things have changed. The other Republican candidates have adopted many of Fred's issues and made them part of their own campaigns. This is a good thing if they do more than just pay lip service to these issues and the first principles which are their foundation. I'm certain that one thing that is weighing heavily on Fred's decision is just how much can he depend on these big-government Republicans to hold true to Fred's own principles after which one of them is given the nomination. Perhaps his friend John McCain can convince him. Perhaps even Mitt Romney, who doesn't have a history of being consistent on the issues, can persuade FDT that he has seen the light and will faithfully be guided by it. It's up to them to make the sale to Fred.
Whatever Fred decides to do, I'm supporting him. If he stays in, I'll continue to blog for him, defend him and talk him up. If he decides to return to the good life, surrounded by the family he so adores, how could I blame him? He worked hard for that good life, and the Lord knows he deserves to be able to enjoy it. He certainly received shabby treatment from the party that he's tried so hard to save from itself.
So I don't know what Fred will do. But I do know what I will do. I'm a conservative, not a Republican. I gave that particular political party up when it took a sharp left turn and left me behind in 2006. So I'll go to the polls, vote in the GOP primary (my state allows it) and in the general election, and if his name isn't on the ballot either time, I'll write it in for president. I'll also write in Duncan Hunter's name for vice president for good measure. Then I'll sleep well that night knowing that I voted my convictions.
- JP
“skip Florida and concentrate on the Southern states that will figure so prominently in Super Tuesday. Hold out for a brokered convention.”
That’s probably the best option available.
He needs to stay IN. Even if it means “Campaigning Lite.”
Someone on Fred’s site wrote the following:
“From a patriot in Iraq, this was posted on another blog, i just had to post it here, because we have no idea how this will turn out…
Thinking on history… In 1860 the candidate chosen to be the nominee at the Republican convention was fourth in delegates and only won one state (his home state)… He won at the convention because he was the only candidate that was acceptable to all the wings of the party. This candidate later became President… his name was Abe Lincoln. A case can be made that only Fred Thompson is acceptable to all wings of the party. I think this is why he should stay in until the convention…”
I wholeheartedly agree.
What ever he does..I hope he does it fast. Otherwise we will end up with either a Muslim or a Dyke in 08.
He’ll try to get his job back on “Law and Order”.
Sorry Fred. Really wanted you to win but now its time to get out. The longer you stay in and split votes with Huck and Romney, the more states McCain is going to win.
FRED THOMPSON is the best person to lead this country. He is a true conservative and has been his entire life. All one has to do is check his record to see this.
During my time in the Army as an Intelligence Analyst, I served under both Presidents Carter and Reagan (as my commanders in chief). Without argument, President Reagan was the best commander-in-chief a military person could ever have served under. Fred Thompson possesses the same qualities and vision as President Reagan in that he is strong on national defense and sees a dire need to secure our borders and control immigration.
I can think of no better person to lead this country and fix the problems we have. He is the only candidate from either party who has specific and detailed plans on border security and immigration reform; revitalization of America’s armed forces; saving and protecting Social Security; and tax relief and economic growth. These are detailed on his Web site at www.fred08.com . I challenge you to find any other candidate who has laid out specific plans to fix anything.
Fred Thompson has published his first principles, some of which are mentioned above. In addition to those, he strongly believes in individual liberty, personal responsibility, limited government, federalism, traditional American values, the rule of law and is a strong proponent of the Second Amendment — all concepts established during the birth of our country and documented in our Constitution.
Again, try to find any candidate who has laid out their plans to “fix” this country. You will find they all speak in vague and abstract terms on their plans.
For those who have heard Fred Thompson speak, you will usually hear him say that the Fred Thompson you see today is the same Fred Thompson you saw yesterday and is the same Fred Thompson you will see tomorrow. He stands by his principles and values and doesn’t shift his positions based on polls or public opinion; in other words, he doesn’t say what the voters want to hear just to get elected, but remains steadfast on his views and convictions.
During his time in the Senate he focused on three areas: to lower taxes, strengthen national security and expose waste in the federal government. Fred Thompson has foreign policy experience, having served as member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Senate Intelligence committees.
As chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, he opened the investigation in 1997 on the Chinese government’s attempt to influence American policies and elections, and this investigation identified connections with the Clinton administration (documented in the committee’s report).
As a member of the Finance Committee, he worked tirelessly to enact three major tax-cut bills. Fred Thompson remains steadfast and even though a person may not agree with all his views and he understands some may disagree with him, you can count on him to be consistent and unwavering.
Don’t be fooled by his laid back approach and what critics call his “laziness.” As a former assistant U.S. attorney, he earned a reputation as a tough prosecutor and he possesses the toughness this country needs in order to tackle today’s and tomorrow’s issues.
I ask that you take a hard look at what this country needs, then take a hard look at all the other candidates’ views, policies, their records and their track record on consistency. Fred Thompson possesses integrity, loyalty, commitment, energy and decisiveness, all traits of an effective leader, and will emerge as the best person to take this country boldly forward.
Please help Fred win in 2008:
https://www.fred08.com/contribute.aspx?RefererID=c637caaa-315c-4b4c-9967-08d864cd0791
Excellent commentary Josh. It is a sad state of affairs but I’m afraid it is true.
The subject of RINOS vs real conservatives is being debated now, it’s in the forefront.
Rush should start a push for Fred now.
And Fred should become more aggressive,if he gets up in the polls he has no problem dealing with the mainstream media.
If Fred could pull out a third place finish in Florida, what would that say? It would say the GOP electorate isn’t sure about Romney and the Huckster. It would further throw a monkey wrench into the dominance of the top three.
I believe this election is the only chance real conservatives have to turn things around and kick RINO’s out for good! Like Mark Levin has said, and Rush too, it is time we real conservatives stood up and fought for our conservative principles. The only candidate to do that is Fred Thompson. Let’s not quit and get down in spirit. This race is not over by any means! And Florida is the first closed primary state! No liberals or independents can vote on the Republican side to help McCain or Huckabee. The support is not here for McCain and Huckabee and I do not think Giuliani has it locked up here in Florida. In all the 43 calls I have made in the last three days, no one mentioned any candidate’s name, and when I talked about Fred I have gotten great interest. Most people I spoke with have not decided yet and only seven had voted. Four of those for Fred, one said no to Fred, and two did not share whom they voted for but wished Fred well. Don’t give up on Fred yet as he has a good chance here in Florida. Watch the debate Thursday and then see the surge again for Fred! I am here in Florida and not giving up on Fred!
Truer words were never spoken.
If Fred can outlast Huckleberry, he can do a lot better. Right now, those two are splitting the social conservative vote, however much Huck may or may not fall into that category. But it seems unlikely that Fred can do so.
or a Muslim and a Dyke.
Great post!
“ A case can be made that only Fred Thompson is acceptable to all wings of the party. I think this is why he should stay in until the convention…”
“I wholeheartedly agree.”
I think it a minimum is is worth it to see if this will happen and Fred should stay in. At some point someone will either clearly take the lead or brokered convention could occur. Rare, but at this point, I want that chance.
Fred staying in, makes it more likley that’s for sure.
The longer you stay in and split votes with Huck and Romney, the more states McCain is going to win.
The longer you stay in and split votes with Huck and McCain, the more states Romney is going to win.
The longer you stay in and split votes with McCain and Romney, the more states Huck is going to win.
hmm
Posted for FlAttorney by TAB
That is what I would advise Fred to do. And I would advise his base to stay loyal to the sound conservative principles they have supported him for espousing.
There is one overriding question today, and it’s the core question conservatives must answer.
Is conservatism more important or is republicanism more important?
I will stick with my core values today, tomorrow and forever.
I will vote for conservatives when there are conservatives to vote for. And I will take a pass when there aren’t.
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