Got an Extra Ten Minutes?

Watch this video on the economy from Fred Thompson:



Fred touched on a very interesting topic. The youth of this nation. A voting block that which overwhelmingly supported the dems.

These young people are also the ones that will be effected the most from our constant march towards socialism. And this "CHANGE" will most definitely be negative. I just want to offer a little word of advise for everyone, especially the youth: Given the choice between Capitalism and socialism, always choose Capitalism. (no matter what your professor says)

Fred At The Convention

At about 4:15 he gives a detailed description of McCain's time in Vietnam. It is amazing:

Fred Thompson Withdraws From The Race

It is a sad day for the Republican Party:

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) - Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson quit the Republican presidential race on Tuesday, after a string of poor finishes in early primary and caucus states.

"Today, I have withdrawn my candidacy for president of the United States. I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort," Thompson said in a statement.

No one but RINO's left in the race.

Vote Ron Paul. Just kidding, he is still an asshat.

Remember the movie Brewster's Millions, I think I'll take "None Of The Above."

Human Events "Reagan's Favorite Paper" Endorses Fred

From Human Events:

We begin by recalling the profound words of Ronald Reagan at the Conservative Political Action Conference Feb. 15, 1975: “A political party cannot be all things to all people. It must represent certain fundamental beliefs which must not be compromised to political expediency or simply to swell its numbers.” We believed that then, and we believe it now. The issue for us -- and for the conservative community -- boils down to which of the candidates is most representative of the fundamental conservative principles we believe in. The answer is Fred Thompson.

...

We make this endorsement on the basis of much research, having interviewed Sen. Thompson and some of his opponents, as well as examining what they have all said and done. We conclude that Thompson is a solid conservative whose judgment is grounded in our principles.

Read the entire article at the link. Human Events goes on to describe each candidate, as well as going in depth on Fred's record.

This is a major endorsement for Fred. I hope he can run with it. He needs to start catching on fast.

Win, Fred, Win

Fred To Be On The O'Reilly Factor Tonight

I was getting ready to e-mail Fred at Fred08 to tell him he needs to accept O'Reilly's invitation when I found this:

Fred will be on The O’Reilly Factor tonight. I know a lot of you have wanted Fred on that show for months. Now, it will happen.

If you are going to watch LSU and Ohio State play, record O'Reilly.

Win, Fred, Win

Rush Has Some More Good Words About Fred

Go on over to Rush and see what I am talking about.

Be sure and read the whole thing because there is some stuff in there about the Politico hit piece as well.

Every time I hear Fred speak it becomes more clear to me that he is the right man for the job.

I am not all that exited about the results of the Iowa Caucus but I thought he would come in third. McCain has surprised me. I guess a lot of people have forgotten about "Amnesty".

In case you didn't know, Wyoming is holding its primary tomorrow. Thought you might like to know. They moved the date up so they lost half there delegates. They get 14 instead of 28 this year.

Win, Fred, Win

Fred's Message To Iowa

Watch this video:

If you do not think this sounds like the best candidate in the race, then you are not a conservative.

Now read this:

This morning Fox and Friends concentrated on three candidates in relation the Iowa caucuses on Thursday night: the two lead candidates in the polls, Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney - and John McCain... this was in spite of the fact that Senator McCain is not in Iowa (he is in New Hampshire) and that Fred Thompson is ahead of John McCain is most of Iowa polls.

This is a part of pattern: last night Fred Thompson was on Fox News Sunday, but in the panel discussion, later in the show, the panellists ignored Fred Thompson. He is attacked by people, including me, for not going on enough television shows - but when he does go on what he says is ignored, so perhaps I see why he does not clamour to go on. Yesterday morning Fox and Friends, like the rest of the media, was busy laughing at Fred Thompson's comments about not being obsessed with politics: "If one is not passionate about campaigning one should not run for office," was the message of the media.

But what sort of person is passionate about the political process? Not getting things done - but the process of gaining votes. Of going around pretending to be close personal friends with lots and lots of people one has never met before?

Fred Thompson is in the middle of a 40 town Iowa tour - so he is hardly lazy. And he does go on television shows - thus dealing with critics, such as myself, who attacked him for not going on enough shows. But what sort of person would enjoy all this?

A lunatic. Someone who was interested in office for its own sake - not as a means to reduce the size and scope of government.

...

No - someone has to enjoy the prospect for office for its own sake, not to reduce the size and scope of government and restore a Federal Republic. One must enjoy the whole process of politics - i.e. be crazy. Or one must pretend to enjoy it - i.e. be a liar.

And then people complain that politicians are either crazy or corrupt. When they shoo away anyone who comes along who is neither crazy or corrupt.

Win, Fred, Win

"The Fourth Quarter"

Fred was on Hannity & Colmes last night. Watch the video:

Part 1:



Part 2:



A lot of people are writing about Fred's witty remarks, such as "I’m not raising my hand until Chief Justice John Roberts swears me in." While these are good, the meat of the interviews with Fred is the fact that he gets it. He understands the issues and is willing to stand up for his positions on these issues.

He is not going to pander, like the rest of them. Of course, he is the only candidate (Democrat or Republican) who can stand up for his past and still have a shot at winning the race.

Win, Fred, Win

Fred's Campaign "Apologizes" To Huckabee

Fred08:

In light of Mike Huckabee’s heartfelt apology to Mitt Romney for making reference to Romney’s religion in the New York Times Magazine, we at the Thompson Campaign would like to offer Huckabee our own heartfelt apologies for some references we’ve made about his record as Governor of Arkansas.

We apologize for pointing out that as Governor of Arkansas, Huckabee offered in-state tuition to illegal immigrants. That’s something he’d probably just as soon no one talk about.

...

We apologize for pointing out that in 2002 Huckabee wrote Pres. Bush a letter asking him to lift the Cuban embargo. It’s easy to see how Huckabee might have missed the finer points of a 40-year embargo. While he obviously knew enough about the embargo to ask that it be lifted, Huckabee clearly didn’t know enough to ask that it not be lifted. So for that, we’re sorry.

...

We apologize for referencing that 47% tax increase Huckabee imposed on Arkansas taxpayers when he was governor. That must be really awkward for him, now that he’s running in a GOP primary election. We notice he never points it
out to voters.

...

We apologize for telling reporters that a BA in Biblical Studies from Ouachita Baptist University doesn’t, in fact, make Huckabee more qualified to fight the war on terror than say…Fred Thompson.

Win, Fred, Win

More Video Of Fred At The Debate

This is good, I found this at Hot Air:



Fred did a great job last night. Maybe they may have given him more time than the rest, wrong:

Giuliani: 9:03 during 12 answers
Huckabee: 8:56 during 11 answers
Romney: 8:52 during 12 answers
Keyes: 7:08 during 8 answers
Tancredo: 6:49 during 10 answers
Hunter: 6:42 during 9 answers
McCain: 6:34 during 9 answers
Paul: 5:36 during 9 answers
Thompson: 5:23 during 10 answers

Win, Fred, Win

Updated (Video Added): The Debate

It seems Fred did well onstage today:

Mary Katharine Ham:

Fred: 'The NEA is the Problem':

FABULOUS and fabulously true answer on education that no Dem could ever, ever give. Got everyone's attention, and the people-meter was waaaaay up top.

Fred: 'No Hand Shows!':

Fred refuses to do a "show of hands" on global warming. Hilarious. He counter-offers for a minute to talk about it and the debate moderator refuses. The audience applauds his sticking up for a more in-depth debate formate. Now, she's reduced to getting short answers from everyone. I enjoyed that.

Fred may be coming alive just in time. You know I like his style, but he may be gearing it up a little to satisfy the nay sayers. I watched him in his run for the Senate and a month before that election he did not have a chance either.

Win, Fred, Win

Update:

Fred On Huckabee And NIE

From CBS News' John Bentley:

"Not only is Iran the major long-term threat to our country, the nuclear program is the most important part of the Iran consideration. For a presidential candidate not to know that and not to keep up with that is very surprising," said Thompson.

"These are the kinds of things I've been talking about all of my life. Now, if the American people have other priorities, if they want someone who smiles a lot more than I do, or someone who is a better quipster than I am, who has no experience in these areas, that's for the American people to decide."

Win, Fred, Win

Tell Me Where Fred Is Wrong

I would like to make a challenge to anyone who thinks Fred would not make a good president.

These are the stories that are on Fred08.com right now. Read them all and tell me Fred does not get it:

Wisconsin Right to Life Endorses Fred

Thompson tickled by Iowans' independent voting streakRadio Iowa, December 6, 2007

Thompson: Don't trust IranThe State, December 6, 2007

GW law professors endorse ThompsonGW Hatchet, December 6, 2007

Thompson calls for tapping Arctic oil reservesWinston-Salem Journal, December 6, 2007

Thompson Tax Cuts Big Enough?Tom Rants, December 5, 2007

In Greer, Thompson touts Second Amendment rightsGreenville (SC) News, December 5, 2007

Thompson skeptical of new intelligence report on IranAssociated Press, December 5, 2007

Make sure you read the stories about the tax cuts, second amendment and ANWR anyway.

Win, Fred, Win

John Hawkins Interviews Fred's Campaign Manager

Right Wing News:

On Tuesday of this week, I got together with Fred Thompson's campaign manager, Bill Lacy, for a phone interview. What follows is the transcript of our conversation, which has been edited for grammar, clarity, and brevity.

Fred has been accused, fairly or unfairly, of being lazy. With that in mind, how does the level of activity in Fred's campaign match up to that of his opponents? In other words, is he working as hard as Mitt, Rudy, McCain and Company?

I think that characterization of Fred is probably one of the single most unfair things I have seen in my career in politics. Fred is a very hard worker. He is a very measured and thoughtful guy. He is not prone to run out and make decisions or do things without thinking about them, but he works very hard...

In let's say, raw appearances. Is he making as many appearances in front of groups per day as say Mitt or Rudy? Is he hitting as many states as say McCain or Huckabee?

To be honest with you, I have not measured that, per se. Most everything I have seen indicates that we are definitely competitive....There was a piece done...a couple of weeks ago...where they took a two week schedule and compared everybody and...

Fred came in 2nd on that one?

That's exactly right.

I know which one you're talking about (Link here)

...There are periods of time when we are focusing on fund raising or preparing for debates and we're not going to be quite as visible as the other guys. If you're Governor Romney, you don't have to do fund raisers if you don't want to and the same goes, I think, for the mayor to a certain extent.

Fred was raising money at a clip far higher than that of any of his rivals at the end of the third quarter. Is that still continuing? Do you expect Fred to raise more money than any of the other Republican candidates in the 4th quarter?

No, I don't expect that we'll raise more than any of the other candidates. I think that we will be competitive. I think that Governor Romney has pretty much set a pattern of waiting until the end and contributing to his campaign whatever amount he needs to have raised the most that quarter.

But, to be honest with you, John, and I am pretty consistent, you can find quotes to this effect out there, I honestly do not believe that money is going to be determinate in this campaign. I think if you look at the current status of the race, with Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney and where they stand nationally, that's the most clear indication....

Read the rest at the link.

Fred is working just as hard, no harder than the rest of them. On top of doing just as many appearances as the rest of them, he has come out with specific policies on several important issues. I think the regular people are starting to pay attention now, so things are going to start changing fast.

Win, Fred, Win

Better Late Than Never

I know the debate was a week ago, but I had to post on this:

RUSH: It was fascinating to me, as I said, to watch this because it hit me upside the head -- even though, as I say, I instinctively knew this -- that all of the top-tier candidates, because of these questions... See, there's always a silver lining in everything. There's always an upside. Some of you might not think of this as an upside or a silver lining, but the genuine moderate as opposed to conservative aspects of three of the top-tier, four of the top-tier candidates were on full-fledged display last night. There was one candidate who did not display any moderateness or liberalism or have any of his past forays into those areas displayed, and that candidate was Fred Thompson. Now, this is not an endorsement. You know, I don't endorse during primaries. I just point out: These are things I noticed, and I've told you during the course of this one campaign year that one of the things that's bothering me, is I'm a Reagan conservative, and I believe in conservatism. It's in my soul and it's in my heart, and I know it is the best way for us to manage our affairs to ensure the most prosperity for the most, to continue our freedom, to protect our country.

Read the rest at the link. He addresses the "fire in the belly" crap.

Win, Fred, Win

My Assessment Of The Republican Candidates

I would like to take this opportunity to give you my assessment of how each of the five top Republican candidates compare(in my mind). Which, I may add, is a scary place.

Not in any specific order. You already know who I support. If not, just look to the left side of your screen.

Rudy Giuliani:

He did a good job with 911. I like the fact that he would be tough on the war. Although not any more so than most of the Republicans. One of Rudy's favorite talking points is the job he did with crime in New York. I can respect that. He added a bunch of cops that really helped slow the crime rates in a city that had an awful reputation for being dangerous. Those are the good.

One thing he did to help with the reduction of NY's crime rate was gun control. This did nothing to slow the crime rate. I can support no person that is for gun control. He tried to smooth this over by saying that NY should have different gun laws than the rest of the country because it is NY. The last time I checked NY is in the USA. That means they are governed by the same Constitution as the rest of us, even us hillbillies. Then there is his liberal views on practically everything else: abortion, gay marriage, etc...

It has come out in the past few weeks that he bent the rules quite a bit while he was prosecuting crime. I am all for putting criminals behind bars, but legally and ethically.

I do not see putting a guy that has almost the same views as the leading Democratic candidates up front in the Republican party.

I don't think Rudy would be able to beat Hillary or Obama. To many defectors would stay at the house next November.

Mitt Romney:

Mitt seems to be a pretty sound conservative. At least on the surface. He has leadership experience and is a successful business man.

I think he has flopped on way too many issues. He has really played up his time as governor of one of the most liberal states in the US, with health care that is real close to the plan Hillary has laid out. I don't know what it is but I just can't bring myself to trust the man.

I think he would give Hillary or Obama a run for their money.

John McCain:

He is one of the most socially conservative candidates in the race. You can't help but like his humor and respect what he has done for this country.

As much as I do like about John I will not be able to forgive him for what he put us through with immigration. He has a quick temper and I don't think that is a good quality for the President of the US. Another thing we have not heard about with John is campaign finance. Sure we have heard that Fred supported it, but John's name is on it.

He could run neck and neck with the Democrats. I think he is a little weaker than Romney against them though.

Mike Huckabee:

A social Conservatives dream. He is a likable guy and presents himself well.

He has some major problems with his positions on big government and taxes. I think a lot of people, including myself are just getting to know him.

I am still a little up in the air as to his chances to win. I will hold off on my opinion right now. More on Mike in the following weeks.

Fred Thompson:

Fred is not the most conservative person in the race. He supported campaign finance at the time. He has since admitted that to be a mistake. But he is the all around best candidate the Republicans have.

I know, I know he is lazy right. BS! You can not accomplish all this man has and be lazy. What does it say about a candidate when after 6 to 8 months of scrutiny by numerous presidential campaigns this is what you here about? Well over half the negative stuff you hear about him is this "he's lazy" crap.

He can beat Hillary and Obama.

NRO Editorial: "Policy Fred"

From the Editors of NRO:

Fred Thompson may have started his presidential campaign late, but he is the first candidate in either party to come out with solid plans to reform Social Security and immigration. And while most candidates have called for increasing the size of the military, Thompson laid out a detailed plan to achieve that end in a Tuesday speech at the Citadel Military College. On these issues, Thompson has set a standard for specificity, conservatism, and soundness that we would like to see the other Republican candidates measure up to.

...

It’s obvious why conservatives see something to like in Thompson. He has offered clear, conservative ideas on fixing Social Security, policing immigration, and expanding the military. We encourage the other candidates to follow his lead.

Read the rest of the article at the link. You won't be disappointed.

This is something I don't hear supporters of the other candidates (Democrat or Republican) talking about very much. Go to all the candidates websites and all you see are the talking points. Where is the beef?

Maybe this has something to do with the fact that Fred is not one to go jumping through the hoops in front of the camera. He is too busy working. I have posted on this several times, here is an example:

Thompson was committed back of GAO’s High Risk list, anotherblockbuster for serious students of government but relegated to a desultoryaffair, that identified those agencies in government that were performing suppar, wasting taxpayer dollars, and thus needed fixing. These are the kinds ofendeavors that are dull as dishwater but vital as air for those who want aGovernment That Works. Thompson was the guy who knew all these arcane, and while other members were dancing around getting headlines on the issue of the day, Thompson was grinding it out in Committee; I know, I had to attend those hearings and they were full of minutiae.

That was taken from this post by Jeff Nelligan. Read it.

Win, Fred, Win

It's Official: National Right to Life Committee Endorses Thompson

Fox:

Fred Thompson on Tuesday fielded the endorsement of the largest anti-abortion group in the country, giving the GOP candidate a boost in his quest to appeal to conservative voters.

...

“Our endorsement is a testament to Sen. Thompson's longstanding pro-life record, his commitment to protecting unborn children and our belief in his ability to win,” said Wanda Franz, president of the committee.

Hopefully this will give Fred a boost in the polls. For a great assessment of this endorsement check this post out at Red State.

Win, Fred, Win

National Right to Life To Endorse Fred?

That is what's being reported by Fox news:

Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson has won the endorsement of the National Right to Life Committee, the largest U.S. antiabortion group, three sources tell FOX News.

The announcement is scheduled to be made Tuesday in Washington D.C.

The announcement first was reported by The Politico. Click here to read the blog posting on The Politico.

With Mitt getting the Heritage Foundation and Rudy getting Pat Robertson last week Fred needs this. I cannot understand how Fred's stance on the issues could be seen as worse than Mitt or Rudy's. Of course Fox has to put this in:

Thompson's voting record is strongly in favor of abortion opponents, but his response to a 1994 questionnaire that surfaced earlier this year on abortion rights raised some questions over how strongly he stood against abortion.

And of course the fact that he would not support the Human Life Amendment because of his federalist beliefs is being used against him too.

The fact of the matter is, his record shows he voted pro-life 100% of the time while in the Senate. All while Rudy was calling for taxpayer funded abortions and Mitt was all for abortion.

Win, Fred, Win

Fred Unviels His Social Security Fix

Reuters:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson waded into the politically potent issue of Social Security on Friday and proposed overhauling the retirement system by creating 401(k)-style personal accounts.

..

Thompson would leave Social Security benefits unchanged for people who
are currently retired or are near retirement. No one now over the age of 57
would be affected.

He would provide voluntary personal retirement "add-on" accounts to supplement benefits and index the program's benefit system to prices instead of the current practice of indexes benefits on wages.

Thompson's plan would give current workers the option of making voluntary contributions into personal retirement accounts similar to a 401(k) plan.

Workers would be able to contribute 2 percent of their monthly wages and the federal government would match that contribution.

Thompson said under his plan, a worker earning $40,000 a year who started contributing to the plan at age 22 and worked until age 67 would accumulate more than $280,000 for retirement.

He said he opposed trying to overhaul Social Security by raising taxes on wealthier Americans, as some Democratic candidates have proposed.

I think this would be a great option for younger people. Of course the Democrats are not going to like it, because they believe the government is smarter than you. You are too dumb to handle YOUR money. I cannot believe that argument is actually standing in the way of this type of plan.

Win, Fred, Win