David Broder of the Washington Post offers a glimpse of GOP presidential-candidate-maybe, Fred Thompson. The things he says in the article are soundbytes. But I sincerely hope they are true. He likely won’t win a lot of friends on the left, but their cause is lost. Fred’s challenge is not only to speak to the base, but also to the independent voters.
I’ll let you read the article. See if you agree. This short piece certainly isn’t enough to secure many votes, but it gives me hope that there maybe a strong GOP contender willing to walk-the-talk in 2008.
Thompson readily concedes that he does not know “where all those chips are going to fall” when he starts challenging members of various interest groups to look beyond their individual agendas and weigh the sacrifices that could ensure a better future for their children.
But these issues — national security and the fiscal crisis of an aging society with runaway heath-care costs — “are worth a portion of a man’s life. If I can’t get elected talking that way, I probably don’t deserve to be elected.”
Fred doesn’t have anything to lose as an ex-Congressman. That may well be the best thing he has going for him. I look forward to his possible entry into the GOP race. Someone who appears as principled and unrestricted as Fred might breathe new life into a moribund Washington DC at last.
steveflesher
Philip
Mel Maguire
Mark Ciavola
Comments
I really hope he decides to enter soon. I’d love to cast my ballot for Mr. Thompson.
Who can’t like Fred Thompson. However, he needs to have something more substantive out soon. Ole’ Boy cracker-barrel quips won’t sutain the enthusiasm.
Fred is still in the “unofficial” phase of the nomination quest, so I think he has been a little less than specific. On the other hand, I believe that he will definitely be a lot more detailed about his ideas and agenda when he officially enters the race. I would certainly expect that of him.
I am a little frustrated that he is waiting so long to become official. I have seen articles on both sides of that issue. Some say that he is wise to hold out. Others claim that he is hurting himself by waiting to make an announcement. Regardless, I hope he hops into the race soon.
I am waiting to make an official endorsement. I don’t see myself doing that til near the end of the year (who knows?), but I will admit that Fred looks attractive. I have eagerly read everything I can about him although I was very familiar with him while he was a Senator.
Regardless of who the GOP candidate is in 2008, I think our top 3 (Giuliani, Romney and Thompson) are all excellent choices. And they are all enormously better than anything the other side has to offer. I think things are looking up for another Republican in the Casa Blanca come January 2009.
Hey, guys, what I wouldn’t give to see Thompson up against Hillary in a debate.
Boy, how would she explain socialist healthcare against Thompson. What about taxes? My God, he would destroy her in a debate. I think Guiliana will put her in her place, but Thompson has that plain-spoken style that keeps things simple. He has a position and that is it, not like Hillary, who has to pander at every opportunity, depending on the group that is paying her speaking expenses.
I think the libs are afraid of Thompson. If he enters the race he knows how to rub the American electorate the right way!