Fred Thompson & Family waving good bye in SC 1-19-08_edited

I hang my head in sadness today. Fred Thompson made it official and is bailing from the Presidential race.

Who will that help? Will Fred pitch for a VP or Cabinet Post? Or will Fred become an actor again and pretend to be President?

JRH 1/22/08

********************

THOMPSON DROPS OUT OF PRESIDENTIAL RACE

by FOXNews.com

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Fred Thompson dropped his presidential bid Tuesday, after the former Tennessee senator and actor finished third in the South Carolina primary and was unable to score a victory in any of the early primaries or caucuses.

“Today I have withdrawn my candidacy for President of the United States.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. Jeri and I will always be grateful for the encouragement and friendship of so many wonderful people,” Thompson said in a statement.

Prior to his public statement, the GOP candidate had begun calling friends, family members and supporters to tell them he was ending his campaign, four months after he formally announced his White House bid, a run that was greeted much more enthusiastically before he actually got into the race.

Thompson left Nashville Tuesday afternoon for McLean, Va., where he was expected to make a formal announcement as early as Tuesday night.

Aides said Thompson sent an e-mail Monday telling them he was still undecided about whether to stay in the race. But with no plans to campaign in Florida, which holds its primary Jan. 29, or to participate in a Republican debate Thursday, his staffers expected him to withdraw.

The attorney and actor seemed on the verge of bowing out Saturday during his post-election address in Columbia, S.C., after it became evident he would not finish better than third in South Carolina.

Telling his supporters to “stand strong,” he said, “We will always be bound by a close bond, because we have traveled a very special road together for a very special purpose. You know, it’s never been about me. It’s never even been about you. It’s been about our country and the future of our country … And because of your efforts and because of our working together, our party is being required to look itself in the mirror, decide where it’s going, decide who it is.”

Thompson prided himself as a consistent conservative in Ronald Reagan’s image, and stepped up that assertion in the days preceding the vote in South Carolina, where he said he drew “a line in the sand” for his campaign.

Along the way he fielded criticism that he appeared lazy and generally disinterested in becoming president, Thompson did earn positive reviews for a series of debate performances last fall and earned an endorsement by the National Right to Life Committee.

But the momentum behind his delayed entrance into the race — and several missed cues on issues from the right-to-life for Terri Schiavo to Usama bin Laden — steadily diminished as his GOP rivals racked up victories in early test states. Poll averages showed the Thompson went from second place nationally in early September to fifth this week.

Thompson came to Washington as a 30-year-old attorney appointed to be minority counsel for his mentor, former Sen. Howard Baker of Tennessee, who was the top Republican on the Senate Watergate Committee.

He earned fame when he asked a question of which he already knew the answer — whether deputy assistant Alexander Butterfield knew that his boss, President Nixon, had been secretly taping White House conversations.

Several years later while practicing law in Tennessee, Thompson represented Marie Ragghianti, the head of the Tennessee Parole Board who was fired after exposing a pardon-selling scheme involving aides for then-Gov. Ray Blanton. Thompson played himself in the 1985 movie “Marie” based on the episode and got generally positive reviews.

The film launched Thompson’s acting career. Among his many characters, he played President Ulysses S. Grant in this year’s made-for-TV movie “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee,” and the fictional President Charles Ross in the 2005 film “Last Best Chance.”

His departure only nominally thins the field in the GOP race, where no breakaway front-runner has emerged. John McCain, Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney have each won at least one major early state contest, and Rudy Giuliani has dug deep into Florida, fighting hard to prosper in that state’s primary.

Thompson did not endorse anybody in his statement Tuesday.

As for Thompson’s future, speculation is rampant that he could be angling for vice president. Such a move would follow the lead of another former Tennessee senator, Al Gore, whom Thompson replaced in the Senate in 1994 after Gore became vice president.

Thompson senior adviser Rich Galen told FOX News Radio Monday, “It may well be that Thompson is a vice presidential candidate, carrying the message to fill whatever hole there may be in the conservative credentials of whoever the nominee is.”

________________________

FOX News’ Carl Cameron and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

© 2008 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Official Fred Head

My Man Fred came in a disappointing third place in South Carolina. Apparently Huck believes Fred was a spoiler for his campaign in South Carolina and would have won over McCain if Fred was not there.

For me it boggles my mind that my fellow Christian Right voters are falling for Huckabee instead of Thompson. Thompson has the proven record of the most consistent Conservative fiscally and socially of the Candidates that have a real shot in the competition for the nomination.

Apparently Huckabee’s ministerial ordination credentials and home spun ability to connect with voters is of more value than a consistent Conservative track record.

Officially Fred has not thrown in the towel after counting so much on South Carolina; however a rather dour speech that sounded like “Thanks for the Memories” provides the appearance Fred is thinking of withdrawing.

I doubt Fred will gain any traction in the touted Florida Primary coming up; however I pray Fred stays in through Super Tuesday. If Fred can lose the dourness and show the fire he had in the last few debates, Super Tuesday may prove good for Fred even if he is not the majority winner. If the Republican Convention has no clear winner of delegates, then the bargaining begins in extra ballots at the Convention. Something I have never seen in my life time, but it has happened.

So my man Fred, stiffen that back and get tough and stick it out. A Convention that decides on multiple ballots does not mean the candidate with the most delegates after the first ballot is the automatic winner. A Candidate must win a minimum of 1191 delegates to be declared the winner of the Presidential nomination. If that doesn’t happen on the first ballot, the back room deals and political wrangling to come up with magic number occurs.

Thus even a third or fourth place finish for Fred may be seen as the logical compromise choice with his consistent Conservativism.

JRH

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Official Fred Head

Here is a realistic yet favorable post on my man Fred from Captain’s Quarters.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Thompson has the best Conservative plan to lead America's future as opposed to the Democrats of tax and spend and moral socialism. Or Ron Paul who will cause America to go down in flames as he disable the military.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Fred & Jeri Thompson, son, daughter

My man Fred Thompson is the best man to lead America in the next Administration. As a Republican, Fred does have some baggage; however way less than any other candidate that is electable except John McCain. On McCain, I think he would be a great leader in war (that the Democrats are trying to lose); however I believe McCain’s Conservative bona fides is unpredictable. I sense McCain would sacrifice social issues in compromise to push an agenda through to his liking. McCain may line with the Democratic Party Christophobes to move things along in a McCain Administration. I do not like that thought.

I really like Huckabee’s stand to vocally utilize Christianity as a political forum. Way too many Republicans are too concerned about being Politically Correct in addressing Christian Conservative social issues. On the other hand is Huckabee stumping for votes that he may later abandon due to the pressures of Presidential politics? Huckabee’s history makes him a Conservative gamble in trustworthiness; however fighting for Christian Conservative social issues is something I believe could reverse the moral darkness that the moral relativity of Secular Humanism (err … Democratic Party) has infected America’s culture.

Here is the latest update email I have received from the Fred Thompson’s Fred08 Blog:

Great news this morning from the Iowa bus tour.  An important Iowa newspaper endorses Fred for President!

"Thompson is unapologetic on his views and is a straight-shooter," writes the Ottumwa Courier.  Read why this Iowa newspaper say Thompson is the best man to lead America... http://www.ottumwacourier.com/opinion/local_story_360221446.html?keyword=secondarystory

·       "...Thompson believes work must continue in Iraq despite growing concerns American troops should return home. We have to 'finish what we're doing,' he said, adding the United States must continue the fight there and in Afghanistan."

·       "On economic issues, Thompson is blunt. The time is now to reform the American economy.  He says the country needs 'market-based approaches to reform that guarantee benefits for those who need them and embrace personal responsibility and cost-effectiveness without raising taxes.'"

·       "Thompson said 'it is a moral imperative that requires action now' and he wants a full account of the government's fiscal books for 'all to see and understand.'"

·       "The man from Tennessee is no-nonsense, speaks plainly and believes action is needed now, not later.... Fred Thompson will do just that."

Fred is back in Iowa this week, where he continues the final push to the caucus on January 3rd.  And he has a terrific new TV spot. You can see it now at Fred08.com. Take a look, and forward this message on to 10 of your friends.

Fred needs your help to put it on the air. We need to put $248,846 in the bank before 6 PM EST on Friday, December 28th to do it.

As of this morning, we've raised more than $70,000.  With your help, we can reach our goal for Fred!  You can be part of the momentum by making a contribution today.

In 1996, more than 40% of Republican caucus voters said they made their decision of who to vote for in the final week. Click here to watch video of a couple from Creston, IA.  5 Republican presidential candidates have come through their town, but after hearing Fred last night, they believe he's the right man to lead America and take the GOP to victory in 2008! Together, we can move votes to Fred if we get his TV ad on the air!

Show your support today by donating or signing up to make phone calls into Iowa to encourage people to vote for Fred on January 3rd. 

The part you should notice is the insightful endorsement of Fred Thompson for President by the Ottumwa Courier. If you are convinced Fred is the man as I am you may wish to consider to help in some way with the links for donations or leg work.

JRH

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Fred Thompson 2008

Ouch! Not to be accused of political illusions of my support for Fred Thompson, I read an American Thinker article that support’s McCain while simultaneously smashing my man Fred down the mud slide as a soon to be irrelevant Candidate.

To be honest I do not dislike McCain, I just do not feel the alignment with his independent thinking. McCain could simultaneously support something I find vital for America and something I find deplorable for America. I would rather have a Candidate that comes as closest to the same issues I feel aligned with.

I got to tell you for me that is still Fred Thompson.

Political pundits that are aligned with other Republican Candidates are trying to disparage my man Fred with an accusation of laziness. You know what? The President that terminated Soviet Communist militarism without firing a shot (and yet voted by the MSM most likely to push THE NUCLEAR BUTTON) was also accused of laziness. Success though tends to render reevaluation of criticism. Reagan buried the Soviet Communists by outspending them in a military buildup. The Great Communicator successfully managed the Executive Branch of Government not by laziness, but by timely delegated authority.

According to what I have read at the non-judgmental website OnTheIssues.org Fred Thompson lines up with a majority of issues I support. Of course there are some things that I might scratch my head about; nonetheless on what I consider the majors (Pro-Life, Pro-Victory, Pro-Conservative, allowing States to decide social issues (Federalism), illegal aliens and taxes); Fred is the man for 2008.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Fred Thompson 7

The Mainstream Media seems to have predicted Huckabee will win in Iowa on January 4^th.

The prediction places Romney a close second.

Rasmussen Reports as of December 11 has Huckabee at 39%, Romney at 23% and my man Thompson and Giuliani tied at third with 8%.

McCain is at 6% and Paul one point behind at 5%.

I heard on Fox News this morning that Huckabee is taking the strength of his poll numbers in Iowa and will do a three day media blitz in New Hampshire to make a solid challenge to Romney’s numbers there.

Since I am a Thompson man, the numbers look disappointing to me; however I came across a Quinn Hillyer article in the American Spectator that raised my political spirits.

Hillyer says, “Fred Ain’t Dead.”

Again it is the comparison to Ronald Reagan coming from behind to beat George Bush I to win the GOP nomination in 1980.

JRH

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Huckabee with Copeland on BVOV

Mike Huckabee is a man of faith. Huckabee is running for the Republican nomination for President. In the recent polls of this posting he has passed my pick Fred Thompson in popularity. Huckabee’s poll numbers are nipping at Romney’s heels and have passed Giuliani in the most current polls for the Iowa Caucus.

I like Huckabee but I sense an ordained minister will be a target of Left Wing viciousness about religion and politics. I personally believe an injection of Faith into the political process would be a great shot to cure the cancer of Secular Humanism which is extinguishing Christian morality by replacing it with moral relativity. Moral relativity deviates and excuses depravity such as homosexuality or pornography as morals that are acceptable relative to a consensus of individuals instead as measured against a foundation of absolutes of the Creator.

Since the Left is dominant in the Mainstream Media I do not think Huckabee could win the Office of President with a team of the MSM and Leftists Democrats propagandizing the voters.

On the other hand Fred Thompson, regardless of an active participation of faith or a lack thereof, is favorable to many Christian moral principles and is a Conservative. Certainly Thompson has supported legislation that I highly disagree with – such as McCain-Feingold. However one can find a special interest subject of every Republican candidate’s past that is disavowed or down played now.

Huckabee has some serious ethics scandals in his past. As I said one can find a skeleton on every candidate – Republican or Democrat. So the issue for Republicans is can they find a candidate that not only fits their political philosophy but deliver on at least acting on their campaign platforms.

Like I said Huckabee fits generously into my social issues for candidate but is he electable? Thompson also fits into my social issues for a candidate (though not as dynamically as Huckabee) and I believe his electable in 2008.

I like Romney’s image on social issues now; however he belongs to a religion that I believe is cult masking as Christianity. Also Romney’s skeletons are about flip flopping on social issues of his Massachusetts days to his current image. I think that threatens his electability in 2008.

Giuliani is a very electable candidate for the Republicans and I think he would even be tough on Islamofascism overcoming Political Correctness. However Giuliani on social issues is a huge disappointment for me.

So again I am this spot now: Thompson first choice and Huckabee second choice.

Now the reason I was inspired to write this piece because a very influential person in my Christian life is having Huckabee on his televangelist program for a week. I don’t know how Kenneth Copeland is going to swing this without Leftist accusations of a 501(c)3 non-profit violations; however good for him. Brother Copeland’s under the table endorsement of Huckabee by having him on the Believer’s Voice of Victory has influenced me to have Huckabee into my number 2 choice.

Here is the email announcement that Huckabee will join Brother Copeland on the Believer’s Voice of Victory.

Tune in to see a special Believer’s Voice of Victory broadcast series with Kenneth Copeland and his guest, Governor Mike Huckabee, Sunday, November 25 through Friday, November 30.

Get a unique look at their life experiences as they explore two foundational teachings: The Need for Character and Integrity and The Integrity of Character. These powerful messages will encourage you to make godly, Word-based decisions in every area of your life.

For a list of program times in your area, click here. To watch online, visit www.kcm.org. And remember…JESUS IS LORD!

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Fred & Jeri Thompson

Fred Thompson for the Presidency of the United State of America; let me say it again: Thompson for President in 2008.

Now I have to be honest, Fred’s Hollywood charisma added to a self-proclaimed Conservative is the reason I first leaned toward a Fred08 candidacy. I realize many people might feel that is not how to pick National Leadership in a time of war and political polarization in America.

Indeed the recent polls are seemingly showing the same enticement followed by a soul searching re-think of what drew people to Fred.

When Fred’s name was bandied about as a potential Presidential candidate combined with Fred’s reluctance to announce a Presidential run enamored him to many Republicans as a man with Hollywood communication skills reminiscent to President Ronald Reagan (also an Actor who turned to politics).

Fred made people nostalgic for a new Great Communicator that could sway a nation back to unity and pride while making the Left appear loony.

President Bush is no great communicator. The strength of his two elections was the polarizing votes of the Christian Right out numbering the Left at the voting polls. GW had won the hearts of the Christian Right with words that made him appear one of them lock stock and barrel. Bush was not elected on his eloquence, rather he was elected on because of the representation that President Clinton was the picture of everything despised and Al Gore and John Kerry projected the same moral lunacy if not worse. So the Christian Right came to the Presidential election in droves hoping to outnumber the Leftists and was successful.

Here is the thing. President Bush gave the appearance of strong leadership in a time of a National Crisis when al Qaeda murderers were flying jets into American buildings on American soil. In addition President Bush managed a robust economy for America. Unfortunately the Left hated and hated GW passionately. In a bond of unity the Mainstream Media and the Leftist Democratic Party publicly diminished GW’s strong points and disseminated to the public obvious weaknesses. In circling the wagons the Bush Administration made some correct decisions with catastrophic execution.

The War on Terror needed to be addressed; however the rules of engagement for the military were politically motivated instead of utilizing military rules of engagement designed to win. The political rules of engagement was afflicted with the virus of being politically correct which led to a stalemate that the MSM projected as a successful insurgency winning with a strategy of blended terror and attrition. The length of the attrition and the botching of finding WMD became fodder team MSM and Democratic Party whittle on Bush credibility.

Thus an anti-war movement began under fringe Left management that seemed to draw many people of the political center who listened to the distortions of the Left.

Then President Bush began to alienate the Christian Right (particularly after 2004) and the Conservative base by not attending Slanted Right moral agendas. The persecution of Christians in schools became rampant, references to God on public buildings became challenged by the Left, illegal immigrants sky rocketed with Border Agents being restrained or prosecuted for doing their jobs.

President Bush seemed to be getting way to cozy with Arab Mohammedans that have been the money bags of terrorists and the spread of terrorist ideology – such as the Wahhabi element of Saudi Arabia. Which in turn has influenced the Bush Administration to carve out a sovereign nation for Arabs calling themselves Palestinians at the expense of Israel: This path could threaten Israel’s very existence.

I could on with the disappointment of President Bush so let us focus on a post-Bush era.

Fred Thompson’s failure to maintain a surge of popularity may have to do with staffing decisions that were not popular with Conservatives. Coupling this with a late start turned eyes back to Republican candidates who have been duking out a bit longer than Fred.

Nonetheless Fred and his team have set forth some of goals of Thompson Presidency if so elected and I like them.

1. A border security plan:

A. No Amnesty

B. Attrition through enforcement; i.e. enforce the laws already on the books vigorously.

C. Enforce existing Federal laws; e.g. ending sanctuary cities, ending higher privileges to illegals that American citizens do not even receive; prevent the use of Federal Grants in States and localities to fund special benefits for illegal aliens.  

D. Reduce illegal job incentives.

E. Rigorous entry/exit tracking.

2. Improving the legal Immigration process:

A. Maximize program efficiency; i.e. speed up the process determining if immigrant can immigrate, if there is a job market American citizens are reluctant to work then expedite the process of an immigrant willing to do the work.

B. Enhanced reporting of temporary working immigrants.

C. Modernize immigration law/policy; e.g. If an immigrant has definite skills that would benefit American society, encourage that immigration.

D. Make English the official language of America

E. Continue policy of welcoming political refugees.

F. Legal immigrants that are working a public service should be placed on a fast track to citizenship; e.g. those serve in the Armed Services.

3. Check out Thompson’s “Pro-Growth” record while in the Senate.

4. I have to tell you I really like Thompson’s ideas on revamping the American Military to make it even stronger and bigger than it is today. Pundits on the Left and the Right have been critical of this; nonetheless this is the very strategy used by President Reagan to crumble the Soviet Union.

Reagan beat Communism without firing a shot through military growth. Because of the nature of Islamofascism today I doubt a Thompson Presidency would be so lucky; however an extremely strong military with strategies and rules of engagement to win rather than not hurt people’s feelings would be a true shock and awe experience that would challenge terrorism globally.

So heck yeah, get back on the Fred Thompson bandwagon. Fred has a victory vision, a Conservative style pro-growth vision, a vision relating to immigration and illegal aliens and Fred has the social conservative vision in being pro-life.

That is a political package I can get behind and support and you should too.                                                                                                                                                  

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

America Wake-up Bless God

Rasmussen has published the numbers within the GOP about which candidate is viewed as the most conservative to date.

My Thompson has lost ground and is at a 40% perception as a Conservative. You Thompson supporters had better start reading and sharing why Thompson would make a good President. Have an answer for a couple of black marks:

1.      Thompson supported McCain/Feingold, which was a bi-partisan attempt at campaign reform. Unfortunately the reform favored Leftists more than the Slanted Right because the Right dominates grass roots campaigning via Blogs and Talk Radio. The Left controls the Mainstream Media. McCain/Feingold was not good legislation and might even be unconstitutional.

2.      When Thompson revamped his staff in preparation for bigger scale Administration and planning for his campaign, he had image problems. At first he hired Spencer Abraham as the Campaign Manager. Oops Abraham is known as Jihad Spence among the Slanted Right anti-Jihadist pundits in America for his support of Arabs in his lobbying days. Thompson moved quickly to diffuse the backlash and Abraham was demoted to third on his Campaign leadership with Bill Lacy becoming the new Campaign Manager.

3.      Another campaign “oops” was having friend Phil Martin involved in the campaign. Martin is a guy that has changed his life around and has become a respected businessman; however Martin has a past with drugs and a felony conviction. Once the good ole’ Mainstream Media pointed out that Thompson’s friend was a felon; Martin resigned to prevent mudslinging toward Thompson.

Amazingly Mitt Romney has a 46% rating as a perceived Conservative. Certainly Romney is a Conservative; however from a Christian Right perspective Romney’s faith as a Mormon comes into play. Most on the Christian Right view Mormonism as a cult based on Christianity yet not part of Christianity as say Roman Catholics or Eastern Orthodox are viewed as Christians.

Mormonism itself has all the moral values of Christianity (except the rogue spin-off Mormons that push polygamy); however the theology is definitely different placing more emphasis on the Book of Mormon rather than the Bible as the Word of God.

Romney as a former Governor of Massachusetts has social Conservative issues that he supported in the past but has changed his line in the present to boost a potential attraction to the Christian Right. The attraction seems to be scoring points for some on the Christian Right are beginning to endorse Romney, most significantly Weyrich and Jones.

Robertson is endorsing Giuliani to win the GOP nomination. Robertson’s endorsement could split the cohesion of the Christian Right because Giuliani is openly pro-abortion, pro-homosexual rights and made New York City a sanctuary city for illegal aliens. Zero of those aspects are amenable to the Christian Right. In fact there are those on the Christian Right which feel vehemently that Robertson and Weyrich are playing the role of Judas in the Republican Candidate selection.

My man Thompson is receiving a Christian Right organization’s endorsement allegedly in the very near future. Unnamed Republican sources are claiming the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) will announce their endorsement for Thompson tomorrow. We will see if that pans out. If indeed that happens that will be nearly as huge an endorsement for a Candidate as Robertson’s endorsement for Giuliani.

The GOP selection process is splintering the group that is responsible for electing President Bush to two terms of Office. My wonder is this: can the Christian Right re-unite when the GOP candidate is crowned as the Republican nominee for the Office of President of the United States? A disunited Christian Right could give a PR election advantage to the evil moral relativism of the Democratic Party which definitely stands for everything the Christian Right despises.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend