Now's The Time To Come Out For Fred
By Rick Moran Posted in Archived — Comments (50) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
I realize that my legions of devoted followers have been sitting on the edge of their seats for days wondering when I was going to make a formal endorsement for a Republican candidate for President.
Not wanting to deprive you, my gentle readers, of an adequate oxygen supply any longer, you may now stop holding your breaths; it's Fred.
No surprise to readers of this site but I think even my most devoted House Nuts didn't understand the dilemma I was in. You see, I'm endorsing Fred Thompson despite the fact that I don't think he can win, that a miracle would have to strike for Fred to capture the nomination.
"Don't believe the polls!" is the battle cry of politicians who are way behind. This is pure sophistry when you consider the fact that many candidates have their own internal polls telling them pretty much what the public polls are saying; you're behind and you don't have much of a chance of winning. In Fred's case, the polls reflect a very sobering reality; he's got too much ground to make up and not enough time to do it.
He's doing exactly the right thing by abandoning any thought of campaigning anywhere else except Iowa. It is in the Hawkeye state - the first in the nation test of strength - that Thompson must show himself a viable candidate. His own expectations are for third place. This is probably doable except for one thing; finishing third with 10-12% of the vote (which is where he's at now) is not going to excite anyone anywhere. I think the only way Fred will be able to realistically continue the campaign is if he shocks the world and finishes second. This also is possible although the absolute latest from Iowa shows McCain in second with 20% and Romney 3rd with 17%. The important thing is that Romney is tanking. That leaves an opening for Thompson.
Where do you suppose McCain is most vulnerable? If you said immigration, you win a cookie. And who is the strongest candidate on immigration left in the field now that Tom Tancredo has exited the race? If you guessed Fred Thompson you get nothing because everyone knows that.
With Romney slipping, Thompson has a whisper of a chance at second place if he can hammer McCain between now and January 3 on immigration. This will probably end up helping Huckaduck also but that can't be helped. A second in Iowa keeps the campaign alive at least through South Carolina.
But enough of the strategy, why endorse Fred now if I don't think he can win? A simple matter of standing up for your guy when the chips are down and he's at his lowest explains it. The most recent polls in Florida and South Carolina have Fred in 5th place and in single digits. If ever Fred needed a boost, it is from those of us who have liked what he stands for but held back from endorsing him for one reason or another. In my case, it was between Fred and Romney. But today's news about Romney backpedaling on his contention that Governor George Romney marched with Martin Luther King during the civil rights era is the straw that broke the camel's back. It never happened and his campaign disingenuously came out with a statement saying that Mitt was "speaking figuratively" not "literally."
Well, figuratively speaking, I'm a fine figure of a man, devilishly handsome, and have women three at a time when I'm not battling terrorists and making liberal's heads explode.
On the other hand, if you want to be "literal" about it, I'm 50 pounds overweight, devilishly cute, haven't spoken to another woman since I met my Zsu-Zsu, and I write long, logical, cogent articles against terrorism while making liberal's heads explode.
I don't trust a man who speaks "figuratively" as an adjunct to using plain English. Romney speaks "figuratively" fluently - on abortion, gay marriage, immigration, and other issues. I can't abide politicians who find it necessary to shade, color, or otherwise try to obscure their positions on issues. It smacks of pandering which is not only dishonest but reveals an inconstant character and someone without any core principles or beliefs.
Fred Thompson has no such weakness as far as I can determine. He is a man who knows his mind and has the intellectual heft to flesh out his ideas in an impressive, rational, and completely logical way. He knows government, knows the Congress, and knows what he believes. As a communicator, he may lack passion. But he makes up for it by speaking clearly and concisely about issues he cares deeply about.
Fred is real - what you see is what you get. In a way, he reminds me more of Eisenhower than Reagan. Not a simple man but a transparent one. There is little subterfuge or guile and his direct, no Mickey Mouse style of speaking and campaigning is a breath of fresh air when placed against his blow-dried rivals Romney and The Huckster.
In short, Fred Thompson is head and shoulders the better man when compared to any other Republican candidate. He may not be the best speaker. He may not shine on the campaign trail. But just who or what are we electing next November? The guy with the pretty smile and easy joke? Or are we trying to elect someone with the penetrating mind and the Iron will to go to Washington and really try and change things while being able to stand tall for America as we face the many serious threats against us in a very uncertain world.
So I would say to my fellow bloggers who, like me, know our endorsement means very little as far as the big picture of the campaign is concerned, that our collective voices, if shouted loud enough, just might do some good. The time is now to stand up for Fred if you support him. He needs our help desperately. Give as much money as you can spare. Write about the campaign often between now and January 3.
Go Fred!
Why don't Republican's get together behind one candidate? Thats the only way they can beat Huck, as far as I can tell.
I'm not saying I don't like Huck, I'm just surprised that Republicans are so willing to form the circular firing squad. I thought Dems held the copyright on that.
http://www.redstate.com/blogs/indieiowa/2007/dec/20/why_dont_republicans...
But I'm still leaning toward McCain, and Fred is my second choice. I think there is one flaw in your analysis, Rick. Tancredo hardly has any voters in his corner, so Thompson won't benefit much (if at all) from Tancredo's departure. McCain may not have much chance with the borders-first hardliners, but he may have a shot at the others.
That's huge news. The man is imploding. If Romney can't do better than a weak second in Iowa after spending millions of dollars there, he's in deep trouble. And now he's in third.
Only if you selectively look at one poll. In other polls he is either tied or ahead. Bottom line, you can't believe one poll.
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American First, Conservative Second, Republican Third
Not only was it one poll, it was ARG. I remember an ARG poll from a while back that was a +20 outlier for Romney. 20 points off all polls before and after.
Second, even if that ARG poll is to be believed, it shows Thompson in the worst position he's ever been in Iowa since polls started to include him in March.
Fred's got all the tools and would make an effective executor. I just don't think he's electable in the general election.
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History is all that will help us with the future
I thought the same thing about Bill Clinton in 1992.
What I think now is that we have a better than 50/50 chance to beat whomever the Dems nominate, and he chances change little among the four best "conservatives," Thompson, Romney, Giuliani, and McCain. Chances drop sharply with Huck.
If I'm right, and "electibility" is about equal, why not nominate the real conservative and give the people a chance. RR wasn't elected because he was the "Great Communicator," he was elected because the message he communicated was the right message.
The conservative message works because it's right. If it's delivered by Thompson, it will be believable and convincing. And, there won't be a bunch of baggage to have to refute from the Clintonistas.
The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.
It is true that the ARG poll differs from some others. But I think it accurately reflects a surge for McCain and a falling off of support for Romney.
You can tell how desperate Romney is getting - the guy is going negative in a big way against Huckabee and McCain. This very well may backfire - especially in Iowa where the good folks tend to view negative campaigners in a bad light.
I would watch other polls coming out next week that may reflect McCain's coming on in Iowa.
How's Romney going "negative in a big way against ... McCain"?
I ask because I see/hear a pretty fair amount of media from NH up here in northern MA and I don't really hear much of any negative from anyone. What am I missing?
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Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock.
Well, OK. That's pretty tame as "negative" goes. But as long as everyone and their grandmother is going to bring up Mitt's "flip-flopping" I'm not sure I'd be calling it an act of desperation for Team Mitt to return fire.
To each his own, I suppose.
Oh, but thanks for the info - I wasn't aware that went out in a mailer. E-mail or regular?
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Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock.
Since they are ripping McCain for not supporting the Bush tax cuts, when Mitt did not support the Bush tax cuts at the time either.
"No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong." - Winston Churchill
But to say "negative" to me alleges something untrue and I'm not seeing that in this press release.
Aye?
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Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock.
For more information on Fred Thompson go to www.fred08.com
He is the only candidate with a record that backs up his stands on the issues. The only true conservative of substance.
Edward E. Richardson
DAV/SSG-Retired
aka: SSGRichDAV
DFT FredHead
...and that is really the only reason to support anyone in a race like this. Your next-to-last paragraph says it all.
Now, as to his chances of winning, if Tancredo and Hunter both get behind him, they don't bring a lot of their own committed supporters, but the effect is much larger because it gives him the momentum. He'll pull a good many undecideds in just based on those two dropping out and speaking well of Fred. A few McCain people also might then see the handwriting on the wall.
Romney deserves to tank; he's just no longer credible (if he ever was).
Huckster's story is only just now htting the fan, so whatever the good people of Iowa conclude, his 15 minutes are just about over.
Jeremiah 17:9.
Why do you say Huck's 15 minutes are just about over? I am not necessarily a supporter but I have heard of some independents saying they could support him, and have been wondering if even evangelical Dems might cross over.
He doesn't have many positions that a Dem couldn't support, and he has a number that they are comfortable with. He's moderated his anti-gay stance for example, talks about the poor and has raised taxes to fix roads. His immigration position is rather, um, compassionate :-)
I don't see any reason to think he's fading.
and when he slides, it will be hard and fast.
This guy Huckabee is laughable! He had us (who didnt know much about him) fooled early but that honeymoon is over. Now I have been saying that Huck AND Mitt are wolves in sheeps clothing and I havent been far from wrong. I am certainly not one of these pundits or even a "pro-blogger"; I have just had the info before me, sifted thrugh it (facts, records, votes etc...) and Huckabee is the dream candidate; for the Left! Look; I grew up in the Shenandoah Valley in VA in the United Methodist Church and I can tell you first hand that their are some very liberal people in those churches who give sermons every Sunday! Being the evangelical preacher doesnt make you Conservative; but your record as a poitician can...**cough** Huckabee...*cough*!!
Better than Romney NO; and only because Romney has so much business experience; Romney is still the man of many many many flip flops! Mr. Opportunist really screwed himself with that MLK pander!!! He needs to stop taking the positions that he thinks will win and start telling us who he really is becasue the truth is coming out in big doses. Mitt; your liberal. Huck; well your Huck, and your record...(rhyme here).
really screwed himself with that MLK pander!!
How about actually doing some research. What he said was true.
http://redstate.com/blogs/kripto/2007/dec/21/dr_martin_luther_king_jr_an...
As for being liberal, Mitt is the most conservative (except maybe Fred).
Huck: Liberal on everything but social issues.
Rudy: Pro-choice
McCain: Pro-Amnisty before his flip flop, McCain-Fiengold
Thompson: Well, he is a non factor.
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American First, Conservative Second, Republican Third
will be Dem crossovers. But he's running for the GOP nomination.
Huck is a dead man walking.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
www.fred08.com
I think right now there are 4 candidates with a great shot at winning the nomination. It wiiiiiiide open right now for either Fred, Mitt, Rudy, or John.
Now there's no more oak oppression,
For they passed a noble law,
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw.
...but Fred is a close number 2. If he can convince me that he can run a successful national campaign, I'll support him.
While unlikely, I shudder at the thought of Huckabee.
“.....women and minorities hardest hit”
...one step away from being a "Paulbot"!
He was trolling in one of his own threads yesterday, as is his wont, and dropped that bomb on us. Welcome to the club brother! The secret handshake instructions will arrive soon.
FRED THOMPSON Presidency.
Maxed out for 2007 and waiting for 2008 to start sending my limited resources to the one candidate I support --
But a tank of fuel for that bus -- best tank of diesel you will ever buy.
Congratulations for being onboard with all of us Fred Thompson supporters, Mr. Moran; you made a wise choice. You just watch for that miracle - it will happen. Thank you for supporting the next President of the United States!
Unrelated to the main post, which I encountered afterward, I gave another modest contribution to Fred earlier this afternoon. Though I must admit endorsing Fred back in March, albeit on another site (which I won't plug). I'm not exactly big money max contributor, but we give what we can.
I think Fred can win, and polls don't faze me much. Just look at Howard Dean four years ago...
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Say if ever thou didst find a woman with a constant mind
Truthful and honest with strong leadership qualities.
I stand steady with unwavering support for Fred.
till O'Reilly and company eat it on this one.
(I like Bill, but come on with the Thompson treatment)
Let's win this thing for conservatives everywhere!
Fred is the man. Time to saddle up.
I would invite anyone who is curious about FRED THOMPSON and his candidacy to visit:
For anyone who is particularly interested in the issue of border security, I would invite you to visit:
http://www.fred08.com/virtual/Immigration.aspx
to learn more about Sen. Thompson's stand on that issue.
Fred going for the Log Cabin Republican vote.."Come Out For Fred".
Famous couch jumping short celebrity who used to be thought as a good actor before he went nuts going to endorse Fred or something?
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Proud member of the Barry Goldwater wing of the party !
I believe that Fred Thompson is our best hope for the future. He's a genuine conservative who will do what he says he will do. He's got the integrity and the strength of character that I was looking for in a candidate back in March when I heard the rumor that he might run. I joined a "Draft Fred" team and have not had one regret about my proclamation "I'm with Fred" since then. Fred's positions align with my own and he's never taken a political position that belies an alternative position. He's CONSISTENT and he does not pander. I'm off to donate a little more...
If Fred is your best hope for the future you are doomed. Fred continues to sink while Romney and Huck are shoring up their numbers in Iowa and NH. The only potential challenger for those two is McCain.
Save your money folks and donate to a campaign that can actually win!
In a way, I think your right. People play around with who they "like" at this stage. But when push comes to shove, they ask who can win. And that looks like McCain (but not in Iowa) or maybe Huck or maybe Mitt.
Question about Huck is how many non-evangelicals will vote for him. Even if they broadly agree with his policies, there is some concern about evangelicals.
By the way, I've watched about 30 political ads in the last 2 hours, so I'll probably be getting cynical here pretty quick...:-)
and really pretty girls. Dang do you see the crowd on his website. Young pretty girls like preacher man. You can't deny that one. Yes, young conservative women are the best. And Huck packs them in. And see I would have guess Romney would have them. Not so
I understand most people don't think he has a shot. Time will tell though. I think there are a few overlooked points people need to look at.
1. I don't believe Fred was too concerned with Iowa, but he saw an oppourtunity to pick up delegates, shifted his strategy slightly, and now is in good position to pick up votes by traveling across Iowa for a couple of weeks. No other candidate had foresight to do that. He shifted gears and everyone else stuck with their original plans. I believe his overall strategy is most likely unchanged, and any gain he gets out of this move is probably just gravy. That should show people the man is one top of his game, and maybe a step or two ahead of his opponents.
2. I not going to say "don't believe the polls" but I'd say that you also need to remember that there is a large percentage of "undecided" caucus goers out there, and depending on which candidate they end up with obviously leaves room for today’s polls to be somewhat out of whack in two weeks.
3. From what I've read, this is familiar ground to Fred. Both Senate races in Tennessee had him written off shortly before each election. He won both times by 20 points. That tells me he's often underestimated. That can be a valuable thing. I wasn't in Tennessee for either of those, so I don't have a feel for what exactly transpired, but it's worth noting in my book.
I may be way off base here, but I'm just sayin'...
And I don't have to compromise.
I'm with Thompson.
I think many of Paul's supporters will go to Thompson after the primary. So will McCain's.
If Thompson doesn't win the primary, this will likely be the first presidential election I elect to stay home and not waste my time.
If Thompson wins who knows he may put McCain on as VEEP. I can live with the idea if something happened to Thompson, McCain would step in, but I don't think McCain is presidential stuff. He comes off like he is whining half the time.
The Clinton Presidency left me with a large bruise on my forehead. I'm pretty sure I'll support a Romney run, but am on the fence on the rest of them.
Fred is the right candidate so hopefully that's what we get to rally behind.
[...five seconds to remove. - Moe Lane]
Ron Paul supports a return to the gold standard - a move that would throw the planet into a depression.
Ron Paul favors reducing our military to a home defense force - emasculating the world's most powerful force for good ever created - while destroying the army, navy, and air force.
Ron Paul supporters are the looniest, the most crazed, the most conspiracy minded of any presidential candidate in the race. He accepts money from racists, skin heads, neo nazis, and other despicable people.
Ron Paul would be slaughtered by any Democrat in the race. He's a kook - and his kooky ideas that he has been spouting for 25 years in the House would come back and haunt him.
He is not a serious candidate - I don't care how much money he has. His numbers are below laughable. He cannot win.
Now go back to your Ron Paul forum and whine about the conspiracy against your candidate.
Can't you SEE that Paul is the best conservative candidate out there? Can't you OPEN YOUR EYES and not be fooled by everyone who says that Ron Paul is a kook?
Well,...he may be a kook. But he's a CONSERVATIVE KOOK. Don't you REALIZE that?
Has Fred been running TV ads in South Carolina?
They that are with us are more than they that are against us.
against you. Let's face it, I was red with envy!
You nailed it man. see also
http://race42008.com/2007/09/18/how-can-i-not-endorse-the-foghorn-to-my-...
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
www.fred08.com
Founder and contributor to The Minority Report and Editor for The Hinzsight Report