The Man Finally Comes Around
By Erick Posted in 2008 — Comments (72) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
If you are interested, you can go here to read my article on Fred Thompson in South Carolina.
I have to tell you, I was struck by the sense of what might have been while I was there. Clearly, the man knows the issues. For all of John McCain's straight talk, Fred Thompson has been the guy in the debates that the fact check sites have not had to worry about. On the trail, it was no different. He was witty, good natured, and very candid.
If he does not win, I don't think it would be a fair statement to say he would not care. But, it was really never about him to begin with. I suspect he is encouraged that the other candidates have been taking on his ideas as their own. The Giuliani tax plan is a great example of that.
But, Thompson has been getting traction in South Carolina. How much? We'll find out on Saturday. I don't have any insider knowledge on this, but I suspect if Fred does well, though not in first place, we'll see him stay in through Super Tuesday.
The media has not reported it, but the Thompson campaign has been pulling in money at a good rate for several weeks now. He can fund himself through Super Tuesday. Considering the rate of ideas adoption by the other candidates, we might all be better off if he stays in, regardless of the outcome.
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has done more straight talk than anyone. I also like the fact that he stands up proudly and unapologetically for conservative ideas.
If he does not get the nomination, I hope he has a prominent place in the next Republican administration (whenever that is).
W.C. Fields for President!
www.shortenurl.com/7cxfm
Oh yeah, that perceived electability thing, maybe?
"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." ~Professor Dumbledore
I know a number of people (including myself) who have one of the two permutations of McCain, Thompson, one, two. The 20% of the GOP base which hates John McCain with a white hot passion aren't the most conservative 20% (despite what they want to believe), only the most partisan.
There are a lot of reasons, I love John McCain, but here's just one: out of all of the nominees, he's the only one I've ever heard actually make a passionate case for reducing the size of government.
-exits
W.C. Fields for President!
www.shortenurl.com/7cxfm
could have swayed a lot more voters to vote for Thompson.
BUT...will the voters?
God help us if its anyone else!
McCain - getting more sympathy than anyone and certainly more than he deserves. Credit his military service, but thats the only service that I respect him for. Everything else has been an abysmal failure!
Rudy - The thought of him (or anyone other than Fred) picking a Supreme Court Justice scares the **** out of me.
Mitt - Mr. Its Allaboutmeandmyloot
Huck - Hope........Arkansas... Go back; and hide. You're a joke.
2008; Its about a Commander In Chief!
Fred is almost always accurate, and when he says that this election cycle is about the "heart and soul of the Republican Party" he is dead on.
Are we about to make Ronald Wilson Reagan (God resat his soul)turn over in his grave and nominate pro-life libs like Huckster or McShamGrahamnesty?
God help us if we do.
FREDmentum!
That kind of name-distortion might get you blammed.
FYI, I agree with the sentiment. I just saying, you should be careful to respect the new rule.
My Mom told me that if you can't say anything nice, do not say anything at all. In light of that, I will be unable to write any comments about McCain or Huckabee from now on.
Depressing!
That's the only conclusion to draw from David Limbaugh's endorsement of Fred. I suspect that Fred will finish strong in South Carolina. I further suspect that his fundraising will get a significant boost as a result.
As Fred's results improve, the more people will move to him.
One last thing: Huckabee's ties to Common Sense Issues will expose him as a total sleaze.
are so swayed by the MSM.
The polls are very depressing for me right now.
To think that Mike Huckabee is leading Fred Thompson in SC just makes me want to be ill.
I don't want Fred to quit, but man, I don't see how he can do much if he can't make this stand.
All I can think of is, oh, what might have been.
"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." ~Professor Dumbledore
And this morning's Zogby numbers don't make me feel particularly happy. Another night of no movement between McCain and Huckabee, and Thompson dropping a point (now at 13 in the average), after going up two in yesterday's numbers.
If there's momentum, it belongs to Romney, who went up three (from 12 to 15).
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/sc/south_carolina...
Still, I think Thompson should press hard these next 36 hours, go for it with all he's got, and hope a good portion of the 10% or so of undecideds break his way.
"People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors." -Edmund Burke
And I hope that these polls are off. Personally, I don't think he has to win outright to continue. But he needs more than he is showing.
I will cast my vote for him regardless on 3/4.
At this point, I would rather vote my conscience and lose than pick the "electable" one and still get beat.
As much as it pains me to say this, Bill Clinton was good for the GOP. He fired us up and made us find our way again. If losing it all in 2008 is what it takes to make that happen, then so be it.
At least some of us won't feel like a bunch of sell-outs.
"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." ~Professor Dumbledore
They're almost always wrong and they're all over the place as far as predicting anything. About the best you can do is figure out which one came closest to being right and decide it was "accurate."
...Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission told the Brody File @ CBN that he thinks the race is Fred's to lose and that he's not seen a grassroots movement like this. Per the Brody File, he's hearing the same thing from other evangelical leaders.
Coming from the Christian Broadcasting Network which you would think would have sympathies to the Rev. Huckabee, maybe Fred's attention to the rural areas (which would be getting underpolled) will pay off.
Anyway, I prepare for the worst while praying for the best.
"All that need be done for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
"are so swayed by the MSM"
There's a very basic reason for it. For most people, the MSM is the only source of information about the campaigns. I know voters in my area for several of the candidates. Huckabee, McCain, Thompson, Romney, Clinton ...
Almost invariably, the information they have is the barest conventional wisdom. Romney voters "know" Fred is dead. Huckabee voters "know" he is the pro-life candidate, etc.
Political realities are realities. The temptation to cling to Fred is strong, but I don't see a way for him to turn things around in the primaries and, frankly, it puts big question marks on how his campaign in the general would pan out even if he did manage to grab the nod.
absentee
need to support.
They are all a bunch of numbskulls that would know a true leader if he/she smacked up side their puny little heads.
That so many give them sway speaks largely about the pathetic state of our country.
"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." ~Professor Dumbledore
Before the internet you'd have been in the same boat. If anything, there are more people independent of this influence today than ever before. Certainly one might conclude that this is a factor in the unpredictability of this primary season.
The ratios will change. Right now, sure, most people still get their info from the MSM, just like they have for a century. But it won't be that way forever.
It can be frustrating, of course. But I think it is unnecessarily grim to think of it as pathetic.
absentee
The problem is people still believe government can solve everything! What they don't realize is that government usually caused the problem in the first place.
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Conservatism is about empowering people to do the work, not the government!
A lot of people were sold on him while listening to him fill in for Paul Harvey.
Sometimes you get what you want. Sometimes you get what you deserve. If people are unwilling to do the work to find out who the best candidate is then they deserve to get less than the best.
Unfortunately those of us that did our research end up with less too. The problem is it'll be those same people that complain after this lesser one is in office even though they shoulder much of the blame for him being there in the first place.
What we need in a leader is to tell us not what we want to hear, but what we need to hear.
Fred Thompson 2008
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Oh, brother. Not another 'we're not worthy of Fred' lament.
Fred isn't flawless. A lot of his campaign's problems are his fault. Not everyone who doesn't support Fred is an un-American idiot.
I realize Fred has made mistakes. I don't agree with Fred on every issue either. I just think he's by far the best out there. Get over your own candidate worship.
I think Fred will do the best job. If Fred doesn't make it and we get less, I get to say "I told you so". If we don't get less, you can say it.
What we need in a leader is to tell us not what we want to hear, but what we need to hear.
Fred Thompson 2008
==== 13 ====
The temptation to cling to Fred is strong, but I don't see a way for him to turn things around in the primaries and, frankly, it puts big question marks on how his campaign in the general would pan out even if he did manage to grab the nod.
Sorry absentee, but I am not sure why you would say this. In the general, I would think that Fred would get all the face time and air time he needs. The media would not be able to keep him under the radar if he were the nominee. Sure they would be able to try and smear and slam him, but that just gives him more opportunity to put on some FredTalk to impress.
If Fred were the nominee, he would have to be covered in the general election. And I think Fred would fare BEST in the general, as there are very few who can't stand him. He is appealing to all three legs of the conservative "stool." He may not be everyone's number one, but he is certainly the number two of most posters I have seen. He would be the most able to unite everyone. I am so sick of the divisiveness in this campaign. Everyone is fighting for their favorite agenda to be MORE important than the others... when they just need to realize that all of these issues are important and all should remain important. There is no reason for infighting. We should all work together for conservatism in general. Fred can and will do that if given the chance. Huckabee is the MOST divisive from what I have seen. That man frightens me so much. And I am definitely a conservative Christian. I feel like he is using Christianity for political gain. And I think his dirty tricks are reflecting badly on Christians as a whole. It truly upsets me. Gosh knows, President Bush has done very well for our social platform. Someone doesn't have to be a pastor to be a good Christian man. And there are other men of faith in this race. It isn't a competition for who is holiest (and if it were, then Huckabee would not be winning because he has done some really slimy things).
I just keep praying that Fred will stay in this thing and that people will begin to open their eyes.
Realistically, Sen. Thompson has run out of time to win in SC.
But, I think he will get a bit of a pass there since he started so late. I think as long as he shows signs of progress he can keep the money rolling in. People seem to be responding to him, if he can stay alive long enough to get the message out in subsequent states.
But I agree, not beating Gov. Huckabee in SC would be a bad sign.
That's the title I gave to this post. I'm ignoring the polling because it's utterly unreliable. People have forgotten how the polling showed Mitt catching the Huckster in Iowa. Romney lost by 9 points.
Everyone remembers the polling showing Obama ending Hillary's campaign with a double-digit victory. Hillary won bu 4 points.
We rail & rail about the MSM, then trust their polling. What's up with that??? It's time to say that We The People will make the decisions around here.
Heck, even a halfway competent one could. They're not rocket science... not even close. Not saying that's happening but you really gotta wonder sometimes when they're all over the place. So, don't go all conspiracy theory on it, okay? I'm just saying it can be done and quite easily.
Whether they are or not is beside the point. The fact that they can be makes them an unreliable way to make any kind of decision.
I have given up reading polls for Lent and maybe forever because they're snapshots in time and don't accurately reflect what's going on. A teacher of mine had a sign above the coffeepot: "cold manifesting hot."
On New Hampshire's primary day, the high priestess of feminism, Gloria Steinem, wrote an oped in the New York Times to the effect that while Obama was terrific, he needs more experience AND it's Hillary's turn. The polls were off by 14 points that day.
Last night, I couldn't find anything to watch on TV, so I turned to C-Span and Fred Thompson was speaking at an event in Anderson, South Carolina. I watched it and went to sleep happy.
This morning I woke up and the same event was playing on C-Span. Watched it again. Laura Ingraham will have FDT on her radio show today. David Limbaugh just endorsed Thompson. Rush isn't endorsing anyone, but he has said Fred is the one true conservative in the race. Fred08.com has raised one million, one hundred and fifty thousand dollars since last Thursday night's debate which Fox News has shown about 7 times.
At 3am PST I watch MORNING JOE on MSNBC (Joe is a former Republican Congressman from Florida, and has given MSNBC its first hit show in quite a while. As a matter of fact, the network's new slogan is "the place for politics." Fox News took conservatives for granted and look how fast that turnaround has been. Watching a Republican like Joe, no matter how much a maverick set the agenda and tone for Tim Russert and Chris Matthews and the entire left wing lamestream media types makes me purrrrrrr.
Joe is alas a Huckabee fan. I sent him the hilarious Jeff Foxworthy type "You know you're a liberal if" ( which I also posted on the message board at fredheads.com)
All criticism of McCain's military record got silenced by his line about Hillary's earmark of a million dollars for a Woodstock Museum . "I'm sure it was a great cultural and pharmeceutical event, but I was tied up at the time." But you can go to that well too often and now Perot is quoted in Newsweek by Jonathan Alter on McCain's closing down of the search for POW/MIAs. Perot doesn't mention that the team of Kerry-McCain having "normalized relations" with Communist Vietnam, John FORBES Kerry's cousin, C. Stewart FORBES of Colliers, International got an exclusive billion dollar port contract.
Huckabee is push-polling. Romney is in a "it depends how you define....." issue with AP.
I have a bottle of bubbly (ginger ale) chilling in the fridge in anticipation of tomorrow's primary. FDT has traction and now enough money to keep going.
And all this good feeling because I avert my eyes from polls. Try it. Rx: no polls
Unlike some of the other Thompson supporters, I at least can get behind Romnmey if Fred falls short. After Romney, it's pretty bleak, and even if it is Romney, I worry about his general election chances. But Fred is really the last, best hope for conservatives in this race, and it could all be over after tomorrow.
I'm with Erick in pondering the "what could have been" question. But I get the feeling that Fred wouldn't change a thing about the way he has conducted this campaign. The tragedy of all this is that GOP voters seemed to be swayed as much by the superficiality of the campaign process as any other type of voter. Sure, we know we can't pine for the way things used to be, but you'd like to think that your candidate would lose because of his ideas, not because he hasn't spent enough time making banal stump speeches.
I wonder how ineffective public speakers like Jefferson and Madison would have fared today.
Last night while flipping through the channels with my wife beside me, I stopped on FOX news because they were interviewing Fred. The topic was his ideas for stimulating the economy. Matter of factly, he replied in less than 30 seconds his thoughts and did answer the question by saying it may be best to just leave things alone right now.
Without warning, my wife said, "I like him."
Now you may ask, "OK, so what?" The so what is that my wife HATES politics. She goes to the bedroom to turn on her TV when I have the news on. I could go on and on about her disdain for politics. I think you get the picture.
What strikes me is her response to my inquiry on why she likes Fred. Her response, "I trust him. He answered the question and I know exactly what he means." This is the first time I have ever, I mean ever, heard her make any comment regarding politics in the 12 years we have been together.
I think that says alot about Fred's chances yet. It ain't over till the large lady sings and fortunately, my wife if very small.
to Fred before she new he was my candidate. Moreover, that was back when Fred wasn't quite as clear and concise in a 30 second sound byte (the early days).
I had the same thing happen to me over a month ago. I am watching my political shows and my wife is in the other room and out of the blue she says "I like him". My wife hates politics and she leaves the room anytime I watch anything political and yet she makes this comment-floored me.
Anyway, I hope Thompson either wins, comes in second, or 4th place. First or second and he has a chance to win. Third place and he may decide to stay in the race and that helps McCain. My order of preference is: Thompson, Romney, Guilliani, Huckabee, Clinton/Obama/McCain (Please don't make me choose!), and then Edwards. I put Huckabee down low because when he says the constitution should be ammended to be in line with the Bible--I don't think he can win in the general election even though he is very likeable.
Mine had a similar reaction for Romney. She said he was the Presidential looking one and therefore would win. Wives normally want to vote for the man that they wish their husband was like. But it also may depend on what part of the country you are from.
and have the passion of a true conservative then Fred Thompson is the man to fill that passion.Consistant in all areas,honest on his record and has no intention of telling you what you want to hear just to make you feel better and get your vote.Do you want pretty words,empty promises,higher taxes,no social security program for your children,live in fear of terrorists,government taking over your personal and family business,lied to for popularity,then don't vote for Thompson because he won't deliver any of those.Can he defeat the Dems well now that's going to depend on the GOP and whether or not we as a party and the independents who want smaller government are going to stand up and say it with their votes .The key is not be ready to bail on what you believe based on a poll.
I think alot of folks are tired of labels. They want answers they can understand. Fortunately, a conservative response is typically the only way of answering a questions quickly and decisively. Oh, and Fred is the only conservative running.
who don't like Clinton & Obama. I think they are looking at some of the Reps candidates and like some of what they see. If that is the case Rudy & McCain have a real good chance of winning.
I'm a Fred supporter till he calls it quits, I'll still vote for him in TN no matter what, but after that I'll have to choose between Romney or Rudy. Romney was my second, but I'm starting to lean to Rudy as a second because of Romney's money & make overs. Using so much of one's own money is a bad idea, even he said it was a bad idea when he started. Then all the pandering he did in MI to win. McCain's immagration stance is wrong & working with the far left senators like Kennedy is wrong. I'm a very strong evangelical, and there's no way I want Huckabee to be the nominee. So Rudy is starting to look better if the real conservative candidate, Thompson, is out of it.
For those that want to deal a severe blow to the conservative coalition they have the perfect storm with Hillary & Obama!
We'll see after SC!
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Conservatism is about empowering people to do the work, not the government!
sad
“Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the Democrats believe every day is April 15.”
-Ronald Reagan
I too wonder about what could have been. By any measure, Fred has done a great job on the campaign trail since he began his Iowa bus tour. Unfortunately, he didn't start full-fledged campaigning soon enough. Had he started this kind of campaigning at the start of November, I believe he would already have the nominationed locked up. Fred didn't get in the race too late, he just started campaigning too late. I hope he stays in through Super Tuesday.
I believe that is the best hope for our party.
Rudy has sent a message to pro-life voters by making Ted Olson one of his top advisors. I think a Fred endorsement could help, as well.
He needs to let his supporters choose for themselves!
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Conservatism is about empowering people to do the work, not the government!
or until there are only 2 candidates left, and Huckabee is still a threat---in which case Fred might endorse the non-Huckabee.
In any case, Fred will be the nominee, and it seems silly to endorse yourself, which is kind of implied when you announce that you are running.
We've been foraging for anything to watch and have been checking out "Animal Precinct" and the new "Smash Lab". I'd have been far happier with Fred but we tend to avoid CSPAN and we're peeved at FNC and are avoiding that mostly as well.
I gave literally 'til it hurt last week to Fred and it's great to hear his fundraising really is up. People, it is FAR from over. Anything could happen -- we have to make sure it's not McCain or Huck!
Ross Perot ("the little hand-grenade with the bad haircut" according to Rush - LOL) is after McCain. Howard Kurtz says the MSM is unhappy because they can't wrap the GOP race up neatly and nail it all down now. Let me tell you, Fred has thrown a real monkey wrench into the other GOP candidates' strategeries, forcing them to gravitate toward his positions. It's starting to get fun!
You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you.
You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you.
Congrats, Erick.
He says Fred is on the move. I'll believe it when I see it.
"I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way."
John Paul Jones (letter to M. Le Ray de Chaumont,16 Nov.1778)
What are Rudy, McCain, or Huckabee's chances of winning when Hillary or Obama begin to shift their message back to a moderate position?
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Conservatism is about empowering people to do the work, not the government!
... I project one of two things will come to pass:
1) We'll know that every single poll of the SC race was wrong (which, especially this year, certainly cannot be discounted - I mean, no one saw the Hildebeast's comeback in NH or the size of Huck's win in Iowa or Mitt's in Michigan coming, right?) - or,
2) About 1/2 of RedState is going to have to be put on suicide watch and have their belts and shoelaces taken from them.
And please keep in mind (before y'all jump down my throat) that this Romney-guy is keeping his fingers and toes crossed that it's 1) and not 2).
All that said, isn't it amazing that less than 8-weeks ago it looked like Rudy was the favorite to win SC according to the polls?
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Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock.
Just for very different reasons, eh?
( smile )
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Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock.
I don't think Romney cares who wins. He is in Nevada collecting a boat load of delegates, while everyone (including him) are carving up the few delegates that South Carolina has.
So lets see, 34 delegates split one way versus 24 delegates split 4 ways, this seems like simple math to me.
no matter what. He is my #1, #2 and #3. That said, if he DOES drop out, I guess I'll be a Mitten. ;-) (Thanks, Maharushi)
You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you.
not win it. He does affect the outcome by staying in. A Thompson withdraw would make Huckabee even more of a force. He may well stay in, but not to win. He knows the game.
El Rushbo mentiones you by name, and you have arrived my friend. You should be proud!
GO FRED GO!
I was with Fred early on but his campaign fell off the map and I wrote him off.
I continually tired of the conservative punditry trying to shove Mitt Romney down my throat.
I turned to support Huckabee as the only one of these slogs I decided I could trust while Fred grumbled on the sidelines.
And I have been irritated that Fred may have been damaging Huck's chances allowing for a Romney or McCain presidency with his meandering campaign.
HOWEVER...
IF Fred has indeed found his voice...
IF Fred has indeed found his stride...
...Count Me In!
1st, 2nd, 3rd, or fourth place finish in SC, FRED will be the guy who makes the REAL comeback.
I'll back this guy all the way to the convention!
| "Strength and Honor." |
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| "What we do in life, echoes in eternity." |
Huck will drag this entire party into a black hole for the rest of our lifetimes. OK, hyperbole, but you get the idea. But he will never win the general. As corrupt and sickening as the Clintons are and as bizarre and unqualified as Obama is, Huck is too target-rich an environment for the Dems not to destroy him, and Republicans will have very little incentive to fight for him.
You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you.
I have not been impressed with Thompson's posture from day one, and have stated so on occasion. However, if he's making a move in SC, and reports such as this indicate so, then I'm ready to listen. I'm not happy w/McCain or Huckabee - they're too liberal for me; I think Romney has an image problem (rightly or wrongly) regarding flip-flopping and being a Mormon, and Giuliani has his head up his backside. If Thompson can articulate his Conervative principles, as he has in some of the debates, then he's my guy. And if he takes the posture into the general, I think we have a decent chance to beat Hillary or Obama.
scroll down to the soundbites Rush played of Fred's appearance in Anderson, SC. Then judge whether Fred has found his voice...
I really love the "walking the land" quote above, Erick.
See this from Rush Limbaugh today:
http://blogsforfredthompson.com/fred-thompson-participates-live-radio-in...
www.fred08.com
Redneck Hippie
Heresy! Could not live without it myself (esp. working nights!).
You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you.
Rich Lowry over at National Review online is reporting and I quote, "All the Polls Show Fred Trending Sharply Upward"
That would be absolutely amazing if Fred pulls of a win. Then it will be true chaos. But better Fred than Huckabee or McCain.
...try reading beyond the headline. Lowry was letting Fredheads who were excited about Peter Robinson's post, headlined, "All the Polls Show Fred Trending Sharply Upward," know that the polls do not show that, and he pointed them over to a post by Jim Geraghty for the evidence.
So, in short, Lowry was saying the exact opposite of "Have heart FredHeads!"
Erick on Rush - Sweet. I know that guy.
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It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
--Aristotle
I think Fred is dead on when it comes to conservative values. Too bad the MSM only wants to talk about when he will drop out. He would do more for the conservative cause and America than any other candidate out there.
for what he asked for SC media. They've also set a new goal of a total of $1.5 million to be raised by midnight January 21, 2008.
I think Fred is in this until at least Super Tuesday, and God willing and the American public agreeing, I'll get to cast a vote in the primary for someone I truly believe in come March 4, 2008.
Texas Proud and Texas Loud