Thompson takes shot at McCain over immigration

Former Sen. Fred Thompson campaigned Thursday in West Columbia amid a horde of media coverage and took aim at Arizona U.S. Sen. John McCain, who's also running for president.

Two days before Republicans go to the polls to vote in their primary, Thompson, who is moving up in the polls, is being  swamped by cameras and reporters at every stop.

“He’s dialing the right numbers with me,” declared Paul Johnson, an insurance agent who said he drove from Kentucky to see Thompson.

“He’s straight on the gun issue, he’s straight on abortion, and most importantly, he’s straight on the amnesty issue,” Johnson declared.

It is the illegal immigration issue that most incenses Johnson, and may account for Thompson’s late movement in the polls. Thompson opposes allowing illegal immigrants a path to U.S. citizenship, and he is campaigning on the issue in South Carolina.

The campaign also is concentrating on attracting supporters from rival campaigns, releasing a list Thursday of new supporters who they say “flipped” from previous support of Sen. John McCain of Arizona, Gov. Mitt Romney, and Rep. Ron Paul.
McCain leads in S.C. in most recent polls.

Comments

[fredhead08]

GO FRED!!!!!!

[LG]

PICK YOUR PREZ FOR DUMMIES;( I dare you to read this before you vote).

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58425

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/staticarticles/article59693.html

[WWWJTFORG]

Fred Thompson was so lazy when he was in the U.S. Senate, that he was nicknamed "Lazy as a Fox".

Now as a presidential candidate, Thompson has been so lazy that he only started really campaigning a few days ago.

If Thompson is too lazy to be a senator, and too lazy to run for president, then how is he going to be able to handle the workload of the presidency?

Thompson is too lazy and Juan McCain is too liberal. (Juan McCain is also too old and too sick to be an effective president.)

On the other hand, Governor Mike Huckabee is a hardworking, vigorous leader who deserves our support. And Governor Huckabee is the ONLY candidate who can beat the very liberal Juan McCain in South Carolina.

http://jtf.org/e

[Joyce Vaughan Byars]

Posted by: LG | 17 January 2008 at 05:11 PM.....THIS IS TO LG ABOVE: If you WERE intelligent, you would read about CFR yourself, and stop encouraging people to buy the books from these wannabee millionnaires like Estulin and Buchanan who CRY LIKE THE DICKENS ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK ON SALES OF THIS GARBAGE! If you really WANT to know what is happening in this World, KEEP UP WITH IT DAILY, RESEARCHING FOR YOURSELF, WHICH DOESN'T COST YOU ANYTHING, AND STOP LISTENING TO WHAT "OTHERS" HAVE TO SAY! What "QUALIFIES" THESE NUTS TO BE EXPERTS...WHICH IS NOTHING MORE THAN AN OLD DRIP! First of all the CFR organizations exists all around the World, and there may be some secrecy in the meetings to keep blabbermouths such as people like Estulin and Buchanan from putting it in a book and selling to the uninformed like YOU!!! Some people believe anything they read, or hear. To protect our Sanctity, Sovereignty and Security in this Nation, we NEED TO BE MORE SECRETIVE - WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO HIDE? Nothing WRONG with the CFR, we are trying to keep our play book out of the hands of the jihadists, et al!!! And FURTHERMORE, people who BELONG to this organization have to be INVITED; one just doesn't JOIN! They must be endorsed by OTHER MEMBERS, and it goes through channels over time. AND IT IS A MUST THAT THEY ARE A VALUED, CREDIBLE CONTRIBUTOR TO THE FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!! Why don't you PUBLISH this list of members if you can get your hands on one of accuracy...there are risks involved allowing nosy people to peck around too much - loose lips sink ships - and besides, safety for real contributors is just plan ethical - LOOK IT UP! Do YOU want your SDB number distributed for the public to VIEW, where you keep your important documents, etc.? Our internal govt. deserves a certain amount of privacy, BUT, we must have credible politicians in it to make sure it stays credible - THIS IS WHERE WE HAVE GONE WRONG, ALLOWING SUCH AS THE HUCK TO GET IN. The USA and other Nations have their own separate organizations of CFR, and some of the members meet together year around at different times and places to talk about all World affairs - it is all on the UP and UP and there is nothing dastardly going on or any secret life-threatening plans in the works. You need to get educated about these things before you get brainwashed by greedmongers like Buchanan, et al, and the liberal media to spread gossip and buy their worthless books. Most of the CFR individuals are of the "think-tank" quality or they would not be invited. I SERIOUSLY DOUBT THAT MIKE HUCKABEE'S SHADY CREDIBILITY FOR THE TRUTH WOULD QUALIFY HIM TO BE A MEMBER. His level of thinking is just not up that high. People who ARE members that do not keep up, do not get renewed...it is a closely monitored situation in that only those maintaing a very credible level remain on the slate. All of these people must have a considerable financial standing - and that ALONE leaves Huck out! NO, I am NOT going to quit until this shyster has gone back home - he is not of the elite presidential material, and there are others who are NOT as well, but he really isn't!!! He has hurt the Christian Church with his lying and unethical behavior and he needs taking down, hard!!! What does the LG stand for, or are you too cowardly like Huck to say. I'm not ashamed to say who I am, nor for what I stand - it is for decency and it is credible and there no lies in it. I am not afraid to tell the TRUTH!!!

[JVByars]

Jesusland Author Endorses Fred Thompson
Thompson best candidate for traditional Evangelicals Contact: David Jeffers, 850-565-0993 cell, jeffers221@bellsouth.net

MEDIA ADVISORY, Jan. 14 /Christian Newswire/ -- Senator Fred Thompson is far and away the best conservative candidate to represent those who live in Jesusland, according to David Jeffers, author of Understanding Evangelicals: A Guide to Jesusland. "Evangelicals are looking for a candidate who is strongly pro-life, is for traditional families, and who is an actual Reagan Conservative." Jeffers explains, "Every GOP candidate is espousing Reagan-like characteristics, but only Thompson has the record to back it up."

Jeffers claims that many in Jesusland are enamored with Governor Mike Huckabee because of his Southern Baptist roots and strong social conservative values. "There are three important agendas in the Reagan Conservative and while the social agenda is certainly important, Huckabee is weak on the foreign policy and fiscal agendas," Jeffers said.

Jeffers reminds evangelicals that Thompson has been endorsed by the National Right to Life Committee, Human Events newspaper (which was Reagan's favorite newspaper), and is solid in all three important conservative agendas.

"Senator Thompson has a 100% pro-life voting record, is a strong defender of 2nd Amendment rights, and is a proven fiscal conservative." Jeffers states if conservatives and Evangelicals are going to be intellectually honest they should closely examine all Republican candidates under a true conservative microscope. "We cannot allow our fear of Hillary Clinton to sway deeply held convictions and vote for a 'more electable candidate" said Jeffers.

Moreover, Jeffers believes Evangelicals must be careful in their desperation to find a true Christian candidate to not run to the first one that sings the tune those in Jesusland want to hear.

"In Matthew 10:16 Jesus warned us, 'Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves," said Jeffers. "Evangelicals must choose carefully who will get our vote. We must assert ourselves as a voting bloc, but we must remember that we are the Salt and Light of the earth."

Jeffers encourages all Americans to buy his book to better understand evangelical beliefs and values. "This book is the quintessential primer to help evangelicals to better explain what they believe, why they believe it, and why it's important." It also teaches the importance of being an active, voting member of society. Jeffers' book is available at his website (www.understandingevangelicals.com) and online through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

David Jeffers is a lay preacher, retired Army Master Sergeant and author of Understanding Evangelicals: A Guide to Jesusland. A Magna Cum Laude graduate of Liberty University where he received his degree in Biblical Studies, Mr. Jeffers frequently comments on the Evangelical perspective of current affairs in the media. Mr. Jeffers has published numerous articles on The New Media Journal and appears regularly on talk radio shows around the country. To interview Mr. Jeffers please contact him at jeffers221@bellsouth.net or by cell (850) 565-0993

[winwin123]

Obamas' experience voting present in the Illinois state senate for 5yrs, Hillarys' experience getting Bill to compromise with trent lott to pass CHIP, tried to pass legislation for woodstock memorial for 1 million dollars , controlling the bimbo eruptions and sightseeing overseas for 8 yrs...Vote for a real leader with foreign and domestic policy experience for 20yrs+, we need a leader who turned around Iraq in these dangerous times & who is not going to raise taxes during this recession, that is John Mccain...GoJohnGo!

[Jeff C.]

I'd just like to thank the people of South Carolina for giving Fred a chance to present his message and treating him so well.

New Hampshire has been overrun with people from Massachusetts (which is essentially a one party state) and has been trending more liberal. Most of the people I talked to did not think that the 2nd amendment mattered. They did not think that abortion mattered. They seem fixated of vague terms like Maverick (for McCain) or looks like a president should (for Romney). Some seemed to like the fact that Huckabee sees himself as a 'big government' republican because they really think government is the answer to our problems.

I've got faith that the people of South Carolina are smarter than the RINOs in New Hampshire and will save the party and the Country and Vote for Fred Thompson.

[JVByars]

DAVID LIMBAUGH ENDORSES FRED THOMPSON!!! PEOPLE CALLING FOR RUSH TO DO SAME...HE IS TALKING THE TALK IN FAVOR OF FRED...WE WILL SEE
January 17, 2008
New Column: Answering Fred's Call
Commentators are citing the unpredictability of the Republican primary contests as proof that Reagan conservatism is dead when precisely the opposite conclusion is warranted.

The main reason the conventional wisdom is being shattered in the primaries is that conservative voters, so far, have not been persuaded there is an electable, reliable conservative in the race.

But as I've stated before, I believe Fred Thompson is a reliable, consistent conservative. There are others in the field I could support, but not without some reservations. The more I learn about Fred and observe him in action, the more convinced I become that he's the right choice.

I was among those who urged Fred to step up and prove to the people he wanted the job. Regardless of whether Fred actually had "fire in his belly," the unmistakable perception out there was that he did not, so I encouraged him to add a little spring to his step.

But I've also appreciated Fred's unwillingness to be somebody he is not. He will not respond like a puppet when a debate moderator tells him to raise his hand to signify a childishly simplistic approval or disapproval of a certain policy. He will not be goaded by interviewers into saying things he doesn't feel comfortable saying. He won't divide us with class envy or pretend we can be friends with rogue regimes or terrorists. He does not promise a chicken in every pot or pander to liberals on global warming.

He will not otherwise tailor his positions to suit the demands of particular constituencies. For example, he has the courage to preach that Social Security is in trouble, but unlike most others, he doesn't surrender to the oppressive populist seduction to urge government fixes for it or for health care. Instead, he courageously tells us -- if we'll listen -- that the answers lie in greater market forces. (Listen up, conservatives.)

Fred does not run from his record -- more to the point, he doesn't need to. He shoots straight without the constant self-serving reminders that he does, as in telling us he's driving the "Straight Talk Express."

More importantly, Fred is right on the issues, and there's little doubt his positions are firm. Research his stances; read his position papers. You'll find he's very strong in all areas important to mainstream conservatives, including national defense, taxes, spending, life, immigration, federalism, appointing originalist judges, health care and education.

I'm not drooling over Fred or saying his record is flawless, but I am saying he's the real deal, and it's a bit disappointing that more haven't taken a closer look.

I think this is due partly to his laid-back personality and partly to his timing. He peaked about the time he was contemplating entering the race but not acting on it. By the time he jumped in, it was anticlimactic, and he still hasn't recovered from that reversal.

There has also been a negative momentum hovering over his already-stalled campaign, acting as a psychological barrier to his catching fire among conservative voters.

There is simply too much herd mentality among us about electability. We tell ourselves a candidate is not inspiring, then pretty soon we're convinced he's unelectable, and, voila, he almost becomes so. Yet, at that very moment, he's proving to us that he is quite presidential, quite electable and quite motivated for the job -- if we can only shed our predispositions against his "electability." Since electability is often a matter of collective perception, it can turn on a dime, as with the reversal of the respective fortunes of screaming Howard Dean and somniferous John Kerry in 2004.

This primary season, relatively speaking, has just begun. But Fred is now up against the wall. How can we expect him to have done much better than he has to date with everyone prattling on about the overwhelming odds against him? The "experts" continue to be wrong at almost every turn, so why can't they be wrong about Fred, too? It's time to quit empowering them by following their dictatorial doom-prophecies. It’s encouraging that John Zogby's latest South Carolina poll shows that while levels of support for McCain and Huckabee "have remained static," Fred is starting to move up.

Supporters have asked Fred to step up, and he has -- he has shone brilliantly in the last month, setting himself head and shoulders above the pack in many cases. Now it's time for conservative voters to step up and quit placing artificial limitations on Fred, and on themselves.

Fred has answered the conservatives' call. Shouldn't we answer his?

Posted by David Limbaugh at January 17, 2008 07:32 PM

[WWWJTFORG]

Lazy Fred Thompson will pull out of the presidential race after he comes in fourth place in tomorrow's South Carolina primary. Most of the latest polls released this morning actually show Thompson falling further behind. EVERY POLL WITHOUT EXCEPTION SHOWS THAT THIS IS A RACE BETWEEN THE VERY LIBERAL JOHN MCCAIN AND GOVERNOR MIKE HUCKABEE. ALL THE OTHER CANDIDATES ARE RUNNING BEHIND, AND THE OTHERS ONLY SPLIT THE ANTI-MCCAIN VOTE.

Conservatives, please don't waste your votes! Governor Huckabee is the ONLY candidate who can beat the pro-amnesty John McCain.

http://jtf.org/e

[Slick-Willy]

My first choice would be Mitt, but I would also be happy with Thompson. Rudy would be acceptable I guess. McCain would be painful, but I'd support him if he won. Huckabee would cause me to vote Democrat.

[Justin]

Mc Cain looked frail going down on a escalator aided by his wife when he arrived by plane in SC. Better stick to the senate and forget about the presidency. Go Romney!

[BeauPeach]

Melanie Morgan Endorses Fred Thompson
Posted on January 18th, 2008
By Sean Hackbarth in Conservative, Military, Immigration

Move America Forward chairman and radio talk show host Melanie Morgan endorsed Fred for President:

Tomorrow, voters in South Carolina will have the chance to roil the political waters in the Republican presidential primary campaign by voting for former Sen. Fred Thompson for president.

Much of the Republican base is uncertain about which of the GOP candidates best represents their values. Some are even whispering that the Republican convention in Minneapolis might turn into a brokered convention because of the divisions in the party that have caused various factions of the GOP to back different presidential candidates. I’m not sure it will go that far, but frankly, I don’t know – and neither does anyone else pontificating on radio, TV or in print.

For the sake of this nation, I’m hoping that on Saturday the people of the Palmetto State punch the ballot for Thompson (no hanging chads, please).

Folks, it comes down to this basic premise:

The former Tennessee senator represents the best hope not just for Republicans and conservatives, but, most importantly, the best hope for America. …

But in this presidential election we have the chance to vote for a man who represents an ideal package: a fiscal conservative, a social conservative and a conservative on national security issues. None of the other presidential candidates are as consistently conservative on the array of issues facing this nation as Fred Thompson is. It is fun, though, watching as they all try to reinvent themselves in some kind of election year extreme makeover.

What I admire most about Fred Thompson is that he doesn’t apologize for his conservatism.

Indeed, he’s proudly pugnacious about his positions, and throws more than a few roundhouse punches when the liberal (and even the conservative) media challenge him.

One of the problems facing Republicans these days is their unwillingness to stand up against the political correctness espoused by liberal journalists and the political elite.

During the debate prior to the Iowa caucus, Sen. Thompson demonstrated his lead-not-follow attitude (quite refreshing, I might add) while the other candidates acted like a pack of intimidated schoolgirls. When admonished to raise his hand to show support for the bogus notion of man-induced global warming, Thompson said he wouldn’t have any of it – if the moderator wanted a thoughtful response he’d give one, but he wasn’t to be treated like a child in kindergarten waving his hand when instructed by the teacher.

That’s exactly the kind of person I want standing up before the news media during press conferences from the White House, and that’s the kind of man I want to deal with the Democrats in Congress. …

Unlike some candidates who have advocated for amnesty for those who come to this country unlawfully, Thompson has been direct and plainspoken about his opposition to illegal immigration. He articulated his position quite bluntly, noting, “A sovereign nation loses that status if it cannot secure its own borders, and we are going to do whatever is necessary to do so. …”

As a leader in the grass-roots pro-troop movement, I appreciate how Thompson has been an unwavering supporter of our troops and their missions in the war on terrorism. I remember back in 2003 when Thompson agreed to appear in ads for the conservative group Citizens United, speaking out for our troops.…

The voters of South Carolina have the opportunity to do America a favor and turn out en masse to vote for Fred Thompson for president.

As a wife and mother who wants peace, prosperity and opportunity for my family’s future, Sen. Fred Thompson is the man who can face down the terrorists who threaten my loved ones – and yours – plus he has the common sense to take fiscally responsible actions to rev up a slowing economy.

He’s the go-to guy for those of us who want to scare the bejabbers out of liberal Democrats in the cut-and-run crowd. He also puts the fear of God into the contingent of Big Brother enthusiasts who would strip us of our individual rights, hike our taxes, force their global warming baloney down our throats, all the while grabbing our guns and regulating what foods we can and cannot eat.

The former senator is a Law and Order kind of candidate.

But Thompson isn’t “acting” presidential – Fred Thompson is presidential.

[BeauPeach]

HUMAN EVENTS Endorses Fred Thompson
by Human Events

Posted: 01/11/2008
The 2008 presidential election is the most unusual and most important in many years. It’s been more than five decades since such a race didn’t feature an incumbent President or Vice President. Since World War II, America has not had a presidential election at a time when the stakes were higher. Conservatives have to win this election, and to do so, we have to identify a candidate around whom we all can rally.

Fundamental Beliefs

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.

To reach that conclusion, we looked closely at the former Tennessee senator and his opponents to judge whether they measure up to conservative standards. Some come close, and others clearly do not.

Sen. John McCain of Arizona is a war hero whose personal courage sustained many of the men imprisoned with him in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton.” We honor him, but he does not honor many conservative principles. His co-authorship of the Bush-McCain-Kennedy “comprehensive immigration reform” legislation last summer ran directly against our principles of American sovereignty and national security. His position has not been ameliorated by his more recent explanations of border-security measures he might support. His opposition to the Bush tax cuts, his support for economy-strangling measures to control “global warming” and his anti-torture legislation (which didn’t make torture illegal, it already was: McCain’s law only made a clear law vague to the point of unenforceability) all cut against the conservative grain. And so did his McCain-Feingold campaign finance law with its stifling of political free speech.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is a charming and agreeable gentleman. But his support for the economically disastrous “cap-and-trade” fix for global warming is as bad as Sen. McCain’s position on the issue. The so-called “fair tax” he supports is unworkable. His tax-and-spend policies do not comport with conservative principles, but they do align all too well with Huckabee’s populist rhetoric on the injustice of corporate CEO salaries. His stance on granting special benefits to the children of illegal aliens is also very troubling. On the war, Gov. Huckabee’s understanding of the issues does not impress us. For example, he wants to close the terrorist detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and move the detainees there into U.S. prisons, which -- as Sen. Thompson schooled him on in a recent debate -- would result in the grant of constitutional rights to terrorist detainees even though they are enemy combatants. Gov. Huckabee’s grasp of foreign policy does not make us comfortable.

Rep. Ron Paul’s limited-government rhetoric is appealing to many conservatives, but his unyielding isolationism that might have been appropriate for another era is not realistic. He would withdraw from Iraq regardless of the consequences and then pull American forces out of every other country as well. He does not believe, as we do, that America must win the war against the terrorist-sponsoring nations. We find intolerable his repeated statements that we were attacked on 9/11 because we had a presence in the Middle East. That implies that we were, in whole or in part, to blame for the attacks.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani did an admirable job bringing his city through the crisis of 9/11. Even before that terrible day, he did a commendable job cleaning up Gotham. But the mayor’s pro-abortion, pro-gun control, pro-gay rights social views are more liberal than conservative. And his foreign policy views are of considerable concern. His article in Foreign Affairs late last year seemed less conservative than neo-Wilsonian. Giuliani also said in the June 5, 2007, debate, “We need to look at nation-building as part of what we need to teach our military.” No, Mr. Mayor. We don’t.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is a closer call. We believe his relatively new pro-life position is a sincere one, but examining his record and listening to his campaign rhetoric indicate to us that he is more a problem-solver than a gut conservative. His “RomneyCare” legislation made Massachusetts the first state in the nation to impose an “individual mandate,” which requires everyone in the state to have health coverage or face significant penalties. And we have concerns about the big-government approach he took as governor, raising state “fees,” according to the Cato Institute, by $500 million and proposing two corporate tax increases totaling close to $400 million a year.

Which brings us back to Sen. 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.

In his Senate years, Mr. Thompson compiled an American Conservative Union lifetime rating of 86.1, which is higher than both Sen. John McCain (82.3) and Rep. Ron Paul (82.3). The Club for Growth has praised Thompson as someone who has a strong commitment to limited government, free enterprise and federalist principles.

On the issues that matter most to conservatives, Sen. Thompson’s positions benefit from their clarity. He is solidly pro-life. He said that he was in favor overturning Roe v. Wade because it was “bad law and bad medical science.” As the National Right to Life Committee said in its endorsement of him Nov. 13, 2007, “The majority of this country is opposed to the vast majority of abortions, and Fred Thompson has shown in his consistent pro-life voting record in the U.S. Senate that he is part of the pro-life majority.”

Thompson’s record is solid on voting to preserve gun owners’ rights, cut taxes, reduce government spending and drill for oil in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He has voted consistently against gay marriage. Thompson is by no means perfect. He strongly supported the McCain-Feingold bill, did not support the impeachment of Bill Clinton on perjury and more than once voted with the trial lawyers against limitations on liability in defective product and medical malpractice cases.

We like the way Thompson unhesitatingly attacks the liberal ideologues and their activists such as MoveOn.org and the ACLU, and the way he reaches out to those we knew as the Reagan Democrats.

The question now is whether Sen. Thompson will do what he has not yet done: Take the advantages he is given by his intelligence, his principles, his political skills and this endorsement and make the best use of them.

As the primaries and debates speed by, we would like to see Sen. Thompson continue to invigorate his campaign to carry him successfully through Tsunami Tuesday and to nomination at the Republican convention.

Sen. Thompson, you suffer, like most conservatives, from the built-in problem of not being a professional politician. It’s precisely as Rush Limbaugh said of you: “The problem with Thompson is, and a little bit with me, is I’m a depth guy. I like depth. Television doesn’t reward depth. Television rewards zingers, one-liners, cutesyisms. Fred Thompson produced a brilliant 17-minute video that was on YouTube that explains everything about every issue that he cares about. It’s clear he’s thought deeply about a whole lot.”

In the next week, you have the opportunity to connect with the conservatives in South Carolina who will be eager to hear your message. We were encouraged when you told Iowans, “I think I know how to talk to the American people about the [Democrats] and the danger their victory would pose to the principles we hold dear.” Now is the time you have to do it.

Mayor Giuliani has offered a dozen proposals to American voters. We know, perhaps better than most, what yours are. For example, your stand on reforming the entitlement programs that threaten to bankrupt our nation is courageous and workable. You need to spell those ideas out for everyone in the plainspoken terms that connect with your core conservative constituents. We’ve publicized a list of the 10 most important issues to conservatives, ranging from illegal immigration to tax reform. You need to speak out forcefully on each of them.

We agree with Rush Limbaugh’s characterization of your December 30 video speech to Iowa voters. More speeches like that one and an ad campaign demonstrating the Reaganesque inspiring optimism we know you have could create a momentum in South Carolina that would carry far beyond its borders.

Tell us how you -- rather than your opponents -- would be better able to beat either New York Sen. Hillary Clinton or Illinois Sen. Barack Obama in the fall. You told the Iowans you were, but you need to tell us all now. Why you, and not Mitt or Mike or Rudy or John? Preview your fall campaign by attacking the centers of liberalism as you did in Iowa, and connect each one of them to the liberals you’ll be running against.

As you said, the Democrats are all liberals. It may not matter which candidate you run against, because they’re all a bunch of MoveOn.org-CodePink-ACLU clones.

We believe that politicians, like the rest of us, can make their own luck. In that regard, we wish you a productive and successful primary season.

—The Editors of Human Events

[Steve]

Associated Press:

Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson emphasized his plans for national security Monday as he continued campaigning in South Carolina, a state he has said is critical for his White House bid.

The former Tennessee senator and actor said the U.S. must rebuild its military. He will sit down with congressional leaders, but if that doesn’t work Thompson said he’ll simply go over their heads and campaign to the public.

“We have to understand we are in a conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan that’s part of a much wider effort in a global war that’s been declared on us by radical Islam,” he told an overflowing crowd of several hundred people gathered at an Aiken barbecue restaurant.

“The way you avoid a fight is prevail in those situations you find yourself in and be stronger than your adversary,” he said. “Talk about the strong need for national security - talk about the mistakes we’ve made in the past - like in the 1990s when they took a little holiday from history and reduced our military by a third. Talk about the fact we’re not going to do that again.”

[ADS]

Augusta Chronicle:

Undecided voters stood on chairs and bumped elbows just to hear Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson on Monday.

Although his visit to Aiken was delayed by a couple of hours, the 200 to 250 residents who came to Papa Russ’s Barbecue for his campaign stop wanted to see for themselves if he would get past his television persona and hit on real issues.

“I think we may have decided on a candidate, but we wanted to experience him personally,” Mark Thompson, of Aiken, said of his family’s wait for the visit.

[Ron S]

Dr. Melissa Clouthier:

And then there’s Fred Thompson. Fred Thompson has it all. He has conservative cred. He has experience. He can communicate. He gives journalists the respect they deserve.

But there’s more. A president has to have a certain je ne sais quoi. Fred has it. He’s middle American. He has the slight lilt. He comes across as real. He’s likable. Guys can imagine going out for a beer with him. Girls dig him.

Now, that above assessment might bug you, but it’s important, especially in the general election. Voters dig Alpha Males and so do certain bloggers. Can you imagine going for a beer with Romney, Huckabee, or Paul? No. How about Edwards, Clinton or Obama? Maybe Obama, but it’d be a martini or glass of wine, let’s be real, here. Giuliani could have a good time at the bar, but aren’t you just a little afraid he might go on a bender? Thompson would have a drink, talk sports, know the waitress’s name and go home to his wife.

[Big John]

January 15, 2008
Fred Thompson will stand up for our Military, our Rule of Law, and for our Constitution
Tennessean

JOHN FITE REBROVICK

Tennessee Voices

Frankly, sometimes I think it's hopeless.

Not that I don't think Fred Thompson is up to it. He is a man who knows himself, who takes serious things seriously and laughs at the rest. He has performed very ably as a candidate, rising to the challenge repeatedly in the give and take of media heat and debates and everything else involved in a campaign.

I know. I've paid very close attention. For the first time in my life, I have not only donated cash money to a political campaign, but have also volunteered many hours at Fred08.com headquarters.

From the first hint that he might run, Fred Thompson has been hounded by the notion that he is lazy, that he does not have fire in the belly, that he does not really want it. This criticism is put forth by the court jesters who know their brand of foolishness could not get an audience in a Thompson presidency. By dismissing Thompson as a lightweight, they create a negative impression for voters who do not really pay attention.

It is when it seems the court jesters are winning that I feel despair. Such as when Fred beat McCain in Iowa was all but dismissed by the pundits. Such as when at the debates "I agree with Sen. Thompson" is the phrase used more often even than "we need a change," but the one who talks most and loudest gets all the press afterwards. Such as when Mike Huckabee claimed in a flagrant lie on national television that he had a theology degree, yet has not been held accountable. Or when John McCain asserts that he is not in favor of amnesty even while endorsing a plan that lets illegal aliens stay here indefinitely, or Mitt Romney claims to be pro-life today when just recently he ran as pro-choice in Massachusetts.

I believe there is only one sincere candidate in this race who is not driven solely by personal ambition, who will not intentionally sell his country down the river, and who could be trusted with our children's future — Senator Fred Thompson is that man.

Though quirky, Ron Paul is a strict Constitutionalist like Fred, pushing a "less is more" approach to government. Unfortunately, Ron Paul would have us withdraw our military forces from the world. I think that is naive. The best defense is an offense; I cannot vote for or support any man making the USA a sitting duck.

Barack Obama fails the youth of America's political test, because of his embrace of the welfare state. He may mean well, or so he claims, but too much the idealist. Nothing tells the story on that better than that photo in which he refuses to salute the American flag. A more experienced, realistic person would know better than to put forth such a socialistic attitude toward our youth. We do not need them to be grown in liberalism. At the least I want a president who is not ashamed of patriotism.

It's Fred Thompson for me. He is the only candidate who unequivocally believes in the Constitution as written; who is for an overwhelmingly strong military and furtherance of the Bush tax reduction; and who insists not only that the border be sealed, but that illegal aliens leave the country and wait their turn like the rest of the world. He is thinking of this Nation, and the people, not himself which is in the oath of the president for this Nation.

And not the least of it, Fred's life story in itself is inspiring. A father at 17, he did not run from his responsibilities but embraced them, a pattern he has followed throughout his life. Check it out at Fred08.com. I hope that all who want real change in government — i.e., honesty, statesmanship and integrity — will support Fred Thompson for president.

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[This Left is a RIGHT!]

WILL YOU GIVE ME A MINUTE? THANK YOU...have any of you noticed all the attacking going on toward one another between the candidates on both side? All the things being uncovered, and the changing of minds on what they are for and not for, etc.? But ONE THING I want you to NOTICE; NONE of the candidates, NOT ONE of them has attacked Senator Fred Dalton Thompson on his character, his wisdom, his knowledge, his education, his experience anywhere in government, his stance on past voting records, his policy on issue yesterday, today, and will be tomorrow; AND he has presented plans for all hot button issues that many of the EXPERTS agree with, even the "other" candidates...their most famous quote "I agree with Fred on what he said"! NOW, PEOPLE, IF THIS CANDIDATE IS SUCH A LOSER FOR PRESIDENT, WHY IS IT NOT SHOWING? Is it because of ratings in the "polls" and, in addition, because of the bashing of the media on Fred's "performing routine?" Is it because he refuses to behave like an idiot like the other "candidates" are doing? TO ANY SENSIBLE VOTER, THESE ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS THAT MAKE THIS MAN THOMPSON STAND WAY APART FROM THE SILLY CHILDREN WHO ARE PLAYING AROUND WITH THE SAFETY OF OUR NATION WARRING WITH ONE ANOTHER! Now, make your RIGHT choice for president. If you will just be honest and want this Nation to be restored to Her Rightful Dignity, you just have to support and elect Senator Thompson as POTUS.

[This Left is a RIGHT!]

This is a very serious time in the World, when the jihadists are awaiting an opening to take this Nation down. This is not time for the voters to look at a candidate because he is cute, or because he schmoozes, or because he entertains them playing with the youth...we need an ADULT in the White House. We DO NOT need one who continues to joke about serious matters, and makes promises he will not keep, from HIS flip-flopping record which changed just because that candidate wants to be president; we need a mature MAN to honor our presidency for more than just as an accomplishment! We want a MAN for what he can do for this Nation to help us survive the jihadists who are just waiting to see who we put in for they want to kill us. We need to seat the MAN of strong resolve who will step in between US-Americans and the jihadists with his wisdom and knowledge, who thinks instantly how to handle a crucial situation. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO MAKE THE FOOLISH MISTAKE OF VOTING FOR ANY CANDIDATE WHO IS JUST NOT QUALIFIED. STUDY THEIR RECORDS AND COMPARE THEIR DECEITFUL REMARKS FRO THEIR PAST HISTORY. SOME OF THEM ALREADY HAVE A DISREGARD FOR LIFE ITSELF IN THIS NATION. AND THE OTHERS HAVE PROVEN TIME AND AGAIN WITH VERY IMMATURE ANSWERS OF WHAT THEY WOULD DO TO HANDLE CRUCIAL MATTERS. THOMPSON IS MORE QUALIFIED ON THE CONSTITUTION AND OUR RULE OF LAW THAN ALL OF THEM PUT TOGETHER. Fred Dalton Thompson is THE ONLY CANDIDATE that fits the criteria of a solid president, right along with those of our best presidents in History past. “We The People” have no time to train a beginner with no experience in FOREIGN POLICY. The lesser candidate have fed the public empty promises of what they THINK they would do, but they really have no way of knowing. Thompson has been there and done that...it is on record that DC calls him time after time, to step forward to help when there is big trouble, not John McCain...have you ever thought about WHY? Because Fred has wisdom and knowledge and just instinctively KNOWS how to handle monumental matters concerning our Nation.

Hillary Clinton doesn't have a clue of her own, so she wants to run crying to Bill, about what to do - matter of fact, she probably would not have to do that because he has plans of running things himself, and would be right there beside her, at her elbow, giving her his advice as he has done all along, just so he can get back in the presidency since he cannot any other way. She is not running on her qualifications for she has none. Being the wife of a former president just does not qualify any woman for prez. This mighty God we dedicated this Nation to has a pecking order, and the power to rearrange this whole World; this is not the time, with World affairs being so critical, to make a mockery out of selecting a really qualified MAN for the presidency. If you will JUST BE HONEST AND LOOK BACK, WE always HAVE HAD HELL TO PAY when we seat an unworthy man in our highest office seat. They pay dearly and so do we. If we do wrong this time [when God has allowed us to have such a fine candidate as Thompson], do not be surprised if you get what you asked for. Senator Thompson was asked to run, and he accepted. He put his life and voting record before the people to peruse. He already knew what the hot button issues were for he has kept it all up, with his service on the DC Committees, especially on foreign relations, as he gets called to help Condi Rice out when she calls for his advice. DC doesn't call ANY of the other candidates - WHY? They are not reliable on foreign policy safety...Thompson is gifted and DC knows it. He is HIGHLY qualified in all areas of government...he just happens to be one of those men with a very sensible entrapping mind, and knows how to sensibly solve problems for the good of this Nation. There are think-tank expert members all across this Nation, who are in agreement that Senator Thompson is the most presidential candidate in the race on either side. That is why the Democrats fear him and have helped the MSM put him down - they all know he is the one to defeat them this Fall. BETTER THINK ABOUT THIS, PEOPLE! YOU CANNOT GO BACK AND CHANGE YOUR MIND - DO NOT PUT BOYS IN TO DO A MAN’S JOB, AND FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE, DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT A LITTLE GIRL WHO CRIES ON BILLDAD'S SHOULDER -THE HOT FLASH SHE SUFFERS MAY BE A NUKE IN OUR NATION. GOD FORBID!!! LET US PRAY!!!