Free Republic

As I have said in months past, the reports of the death of social conservatism within the Republican Party are greatly exaggerated. There isn't a candidate in the Republican Primaries that doesn't dream of the opportunity to get key endorsements from the social Right. Rudy Guiliani would even like to get a few more than just Pat Robertson-after all, Robertson has been discredited within the conservative movement for a very long time. On the other hand, the idea that pro-family social conservatives are in total control of the GOP is something that both the press and the Democrats have attempted...

At a raucous convention that drew more than 1,000 delegates to Caroline County, Wittman won the nod after trailing most of the night. His victory came at the expense of Paul Jost, the James City County businessman and anti-tax activist who built a solid lead in early voting and packed the hall with five busloads of supporters. "I think folks just caught on to our message," said Wittman shortly after accepting the nomination. "We're just getting back to the basics of good government." Wittman, 48, now becomes the favorite in the Dec. 11 special election called to replace Davis, who...

Here's your chance to make a cameo appearance in Fred's Presidential campaign. Make a video telling us why you support Fred Thompson for President and upload it using the form below. We'll share these videos with all of our supporters on Fred08.com, and allow you, and them, to pick the best one. Here's your chance to be a star. Submit your video now. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sure, Fred Thompson is an accomplished lawyer, prosecuting criminals in Tennessee before serving as counsel on the Watergate hearings. And yes, he served the people of Tennessee as a common sense, conservative Senator for eight years....

Many active duty military are praising Fred Thompson, as the conservative leader they want as the next Commander in Chief. Typical of these comments is this one from a soldier in Ohio: "As a soldier, I know there is some pressure to not get involved in anything political, but as a current member of the finest Army to have ever existed, and a Combat Veteran of the crucial Iraq campaign, I feel it is my duty as a patriotic American to see a good conservative succeed our current commander and chief. Every Soldier wants a leader that they can proudly...

MCLEAN, Va., Nov. 7 /Standard Newswire/ -- Senator Fred Thompson announced his extensive Tennessee political leadership team today. Senator Howard Baker will serve as the honorary chairman of the Tennessee delegation, joined by 13 honorary co-chairs and 61 honorary state chairs, reflecting the depth of support for Senator Thompson in Tennessee. This leadership team includes two former United States Senate majority leaders, current and former members of Congress, former governors, and every Republican member of the Tennessee state legislature. "I am grateful for the wide support I'm receiving from my home state of Tennessee," said Senator Fred Thompson. "This group...

Mclean, VA - Today on the steps of the State House in Columbia, SC, surrounded by numerous veterans, Senator Fred Thompson was joined by Major General James Livingston and Lieutenant Colonel Joe Repya to launch Veterans for Fred Thompson. Major General James Livingston, a 33 year veteran of the United States Marine Corps, will serve as the National Co-Chair of Veterans for Fred Thompson. On May 2, 1968, while serving as the Commanding Officer, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, he distinguished himself above and beyond the call of duty in action against enemy forces and earned the Congressional Medal...

Today, the Club for Growth PAC endorsed Paul Jost in Virginia’s First Congressional District in the special election to fill the seat vacated by Rep. Jo Ann Davis. Paul Jost has a long record of fighting for limited-government, pro-growth policies in Virginia at the local level. As head of the Virginia Club for Growth, Jost played a leading role in opposing the 2004 sales tax increase and the higher taxes sought for transportation this year. It is clear that Paul Jost is the most pro-growth candidate in this race. “The Club for Growth PAC is proud to endorse Paul Jost...

In a possible setback to Congressman Tom Davis, the moderate Northern Virginia Republican running to replace retiring Sen. John Warner, Politico's Josh Kraushaar reports the state Republican Party Central Committee voted yesterday to nominate a candidate for Senate by convention. Davis allies, Kraushaar reports, were lobbying for a primary, which they believe would give their candidate a better chance against more conservative former Gov. Jim Gilmore. Davis has a million-dollar fundraising head start on Gilmore, and a primary would draw many more moderate Republicans to the polls. A convention, many contend, would advantage Gilmore by drawing more conservative party activists....

McLean, VA - Senator Fred Thompson's campaign today announced the top leadership of its operation in the State of Illinois. State Senator Bill Brady of Bloomington will serve as the Chairman of the campaign's state organization and Congressman Don Manzullo will serve as its Vice-Chairman. Senator Brady has served in the Illinois Senate since 2002 and previously served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1993 to 2001. He was a candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor in 2006, and he has continued to travel throughout Illinois to help build a stronger Republican Party in the state. He has...

McLean, VA - Senator Fred Thompson announced today that Jack Faris, former President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, will be the National Chairman of "Small Business Leaders for Fred Thompson." "I am excited to be supporting Senator Thompson, an old friend and fellow Tennessean, because he understands the role that small businesses play in our economy. Senator Thompson's record in the U.S. Senate speaks for itself, long a supporter of lower taxes, which allow Americans to invest more in our economy, and a strong advocate for increased access and flexibility in health care and...

There's a debate coming up. Fred has made it pretty clear in the past that these little dog and pony shows don't do much for him as far as anyone getting any REAL chance to speak up and speak out. In fact, not so far back I mentioned his quote about accepting the fact that he needed to "be a good boy and stand in line and wait for them to throw me a fish just like everybody else." He continues to field the pot-shots about being lazy...that's fine-no one seems interested enough challenge his policy positions or his general...

Here's how Jeri Kehn Thompson felt when she learned her husband, the former senator named Fred, had decided to run for president: “I felt so sick. I was depressed. I didn’t want to throw my husband to the snakes.” We learn this and more in a kind of coming-out interview in People magazine, coming out today. It's titled "No Trophy Wife" because, absent any information to the contrary, many in American society make assumptions about a 65-year-old man being married to a beautiful woman 24 years younger. The story opens with the former Jeri Kehn in sweatpants and ragged nails...

Undoubtedly, many of you will be receiving letters in the mail from U.S. Rep. Tom Davis within the next few days announcing that he is creating an exploratory committee to run for U.S. Senate. What is interesting is the repeated use of “conservative” vs. “liberal” throughout the three-page letter. On page 1 alone, “liberal” or “liberals” is used five times to describe the Democrats, Mark Warner and the Clinton White House while associating himself with the term “conservative” three times on that same page. Overall, the letter uses the terms “liberal,” “liberals,” “radical,” “special interest,” “socialized,” and “extreme liberal” a...

Tom Davis is the reason there even is a Republican Party in Northern Virginia. He is a tireless party builder who just this year has been criss-crossing the state doing more than anybody else in the party to help our candidates win. And I have some numbers from his record in the House: Planned Parenthood: Davis 30% NARAL: Davis 0% National Right to Life: Davis 80% National Taxpayers Union: Davis 49% Americans for Tax Reform: Davis 79% NFIB (small business group): Davis 93% Chamber of Commerce: Davis 85% ACLU: Davis 19% Concerned Women for America: Davis 71% Eagle Forum: Davis...

2006 was the lowest point for Virginia Republicans, a decent that began in 2004. Why do I say 2004? Becasue that was the year Gov. Mark Warner bamboozled the state and passed a historic tax increase that fueled his high approval ratings. Nevermind that the state suddenly realized the recession wasn't as bad as thought and was really all about the e-bubble bursting in Northern Virginia. In the end, Mark Warner's governorship was lacking signifigant achievements. Jim Webb's defeat of George Allen still hurts today. Webb flew into the perfect storm were an axis of national anxiety and Allen's own...

Gilmore said in a Charlottesville interview that he is raising money for Republican state legislative candidates this year and fully considering a bid for the U.S. Senate in 2008 - if Sen. John W. Warner retires - or another run for governor in 2009. “We have already raised several hundred thousand dollars in cash and pledges” for his new state political action committee for GOP candidates, said Gilmore, 57, who voiced confidence he could win his party’s nomination next year if Warner, 80, announces his retirement next month. “Certainly, Congressman [Thomas M.] Davis would like to be the senator,” Gilmore...

Attending the Preakness Stakes almost 20 years ago, an aspiring local politician from Fairfax County placed a bet on a horse named "Senator-to-Be." "It just felt right," explained Thomas M. Davis III with a smile. Davis now is an influential committee chairman in the House of Representatives, where he has held the 11th District seat for 11 years, and a former board of supervisors chairman from Virginia's largest county. He's part of a prominent power couple, married to state Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis. An aggressive, cerebral tactician, Tom Davis appears to be positioning himself for a new, statewide race, to...

Rasmussen Reports just released a Virginia Senate poll showing George Allen trailing by 5 points (with leaners). This comes on the heels of a poll they did just last Tuesday which showed Allen up 2 points (with leaners). That's a seven-point move in less than a week. Without leaners it is only three point move, but with election day a week away, leaners very much count. From our updated Virginia analysis: If the direction of this poll, not necessarily the magnitude of the move, but the direction is confirmed by other major polling -- George Allen is in big, big...

The story seems very familiar to people who follow Republican politics, but it is also out of tomorrow’s headlines: Sean Connaughton (R-at large), chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors (about as close as one gets to being a big city mayor in the Old Dominion), has recently been tapped by President Bush to be administrator of the Maritime Administration at the U.S. Department of Transportation. Although Connaughton -- a moderate Republican and close ally of House Government Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Davis (R-Va.) has yet to be confirmed by the Senate, Republicans in the county are already...

WASHINGTON - People with permits from one state to carry a concealed firearm would generally be able to exercise that right elsewhere under a bill introduced quietly by Sen. George Allen. "The bill would simply require states to recognize each other's concealed-carry permits and licenses, just as they recognize drivers' licenses," Allen, R-Va., said in a statement in the Congressional Record when he introduced the bill May 26.