Fred Thompson’s Great Speech
In a last attempt to convince Iowa Republicans to vote for him this coming Thursday, Fred Thompson has put a video on YouTube in which he speaks to them for 17 minutes.
In a last attempt to convince Iowa Republicans to vote for him this Thursday, former Senator Fred Thompson has put a video on YouTube in which he speaks to Iowans - and Americans as a whole - for more than 17 minutes. Instead of putting out a 30 second ad, Thompson decided to take voters seriously and to carefully to explain to them why he’s the man to lead America.
Watch it:
It’s interesting to see that he takes shots at all his opponent, although mainly at Mitt Romney (didn’t change his views, consistent conservative, etc.). Not only that, however, he also criticizes the Democratic Party in the video. He argues that the Democratic Party has been taken over by the radical left and that Republicans have to prevent this party from winning the elections in 08.
Perhaps just as importantly, Thompson calls on independents and dissatisfied Democrats to support him. He reaches out to all those who oppose (the influence of) organizations like MoveOn.org (on the Democratic Party). Peter Robinson wrote down the passage:
You know, when I’m asked which of the current group of Democratic candidates I prefer to run against, I always say it really doesn’t matter…These days all those candidates, all the Democratic leaders, are one and the same. They’re all NEA-MoveOn.org-ACLU-Michael Moore Democrats. They’ve allowed these radicals to take control of their party and dictate their course.
So this election is important not just to enact our conservative principles. This election is important to salvage a once-great political party from the grip of extremism and shake it back to its senses. It’s time to give not just Republicans but independents, and, yes, good Democrats a chance to call a halt to the leftward lurch of the once-proud party of working people.
So in seeking the nomination of my own party, I want to say something a little unusual. I am asking my fellow Republicans to vote for me not only for what I have to say to them, but for what I have to say to the members of the other party—the millions of Democrats who haven’t left the Democratic party so much as their party’s national leadership has left them.
Of course his main argument (why people should vote for him) is that he’s the only real conservative candidate. He has, he argues, the best conservative record - which is certainly true. However, everybody knows that. The problem isn’t that Thompson isn’t conservative enough, it’s that he’s not passionate and energetic enough. In the video, however, Thompson overcomes that prejudice: he doesn’t suddenly appear extremely energetic, but perhaps this is an issue that shouldn’t matter. He comes across as calm, reasonable, knowledgeable and stable. A strong leader, in other words.
As Peter puts it: “we have here a serious man, making a serious case–and doing so in the context of a campaign that has otherwise descended into mere caterwauling.”
Macranger is very positive about the speech, calling it the best speech he has heard all year. Jay Curry and Stop the ACLU like the video as well, as does Kim Priestap.
The video (and speech) is good. The question is whether it works. People have to take the time to watch it and to think about it. Political junkies like myself have no problem doing that, but John Doe? I have my doubts.
As I said here, I thought Fred’s pitch was crisp. I also thought it highlighted his depth of knowledge on the most important issues of our time.
Iowa…this is the guy we need…
As a tired resident of one of the red states ruled by the Michael Moore left, I pray to God that Iowans live up to their reputation for astute assessment of the candidates - and select our one true conservative hope - Fred!
Make that…blue state. Yes, I’ve got the Michael Moore blues!
I would MUCH prefer a passion or need to serve the nation versus a personal fire in the belly to be the President…
I am GLAD that FRED THOMPSON being a moral, honest, and principled man would rather be CALLED to serve as President by the people, and his peers, versus being DRIVEN by a "FIRE IN THE BELLY" to fullfil some "life-long" personal ambition to be President as the media keeps HARPING at…
FRED THOMPSON is the ONLY candidate who has pointed out that during WWII the US spent 38% of our GNP fighting the NAZIs & JAPANESE IMPERIALISM & EXPANSION, and that in contrast we are currently spending less than 8% of GNP to fight the GLOBAL WAR against ISLAMO-FASCIST & JIHADIST who have been shouting DEATH TO AMERICA,killing serveral THOUSANDS of US citizens and soldiers in the past 30 years and secure AMERICA…
FRED THOMPSON is the ONLY candidate that has called to RAISE a "Million man standing Army" above and beyond current troop numbers TO FIGHT this evil, JUST LIKE WE DID IN WWII …..
FRED THOMPSON is the ONLY candidate again who has called for immediate enforcement of current laws and immediate building of the DOUBLE BORDER FENCE as already passed into law to stop illegal immigration & SECURE THE BORDERS NOW ! ! !
FRED THOMPSON is the ONLY candidate with detailed policies willing to take on the tough problems like Social Security for the future NOW…
FRED THOMPSON is the ONLY true federalist running for President who wants to give us more control to govern ourselves in our daily lives to the state and local levels as set forth by our founding fathers in the Constitution, and STOP the UNCONSTITIONAL hi-jacking or trampling of these powers by the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT….
WE NEED FRED THOMPSON FOR PRESIDENT IN 2008….
GREAT ARTICLE, THANKS…
FRED THOMPSON is the best person to lead this country. He is a true conservative and has been his entire life. All one has to do is check his record to see this.During my time in the Army as an Intelligence Analyst, I served under both Presidents Carter and Reagan (as my commanders in chief). Without argument, President Reagan was the best commander-in-chief a military person could ever have served under. Fred Thompson possesses the same qualities and vision as President Reagan in that he is strong on national defense and sees a dire need to secure our borders and control immigration.I can think of no better person to lead this country and fix the problems we have. He is the only candidate from either party who has specific and detailed plans on border security and immigration reform; revitalization of America’s armed forces; saving and protecting Social Security; and tax relief and economic growth. These are detailed on his Web site at http://www.fred08.com . I challenge you to find any other candidate who has laid out specific plans to fix anything.Fred Thompson has published his first principles, some of which are mentioned above. In addition to those, he strongly believes in individual liberty, personal responsibility, limited government, federalism, traditional American values, the rule of law and is a strong proponent of the Second Amendment — all concepts established during the birth of our country and documented in our Constitution.Again, try to find any candidate who has laid out their plans to “fix” this country. You will find they all speak in vague and abstract terms on their plans.For those who have heard Fred Thompson speak, you will usually hear him say that the Fred Thompson you see today is the same Fred Thompson you saw yesterday and is the same Fred Thompson you will see tomorrow. He stands by his principles and values and doesn’t shift his positions based on polls or public opinion; in other words, he doesn’t say what the voters want to hear just to get elected, but remains steadfast on his views and convictions.During his time in the Senate he focused on three areas: to lower taxes, strengthen national security and expose waste in the federal government. Fred Thompson has foreign policy experience, having served as member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Senate Intelligence committees.As chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, he opened the investigation in 1997 on the Chinese government’s attempt to influence American policies and elections, and this investigation identified connections with the Clinton administration (documented in the committee’s report).As a member of the Finance Committee, he worked tirelessly to enact three major tax-cut bills. Fred Thompson remains steadfast and even though a person may not agree with all his views and he understands some may disagree with him, you can count on him to be consistent and unwavering.Don’t be fooled by his laid back approach and what critics call his “laziness.” As a former assistant U.S. attorney, he earned a reputation as a tough prosecutor and he possesses the toughness this country needs in order to tackle today’s and tomorrow’s issues.I ask that you take a hard look at what this country needs, then take a hard look at all the other candidates’ views, policies, their records and their track record on consistency. Fred Thompson possesses integrity, loyalty, commitment, energy and decisiveness, all traits of an effective leader, and will emerge as the best person to take this country boldly forward.Please help Fred win in Iowa:
https://www.fred08.com/contribute.aspx?RefererID=c637caaa-315c-4b4c-9967-08d864cd0791
When will it hit everybody that Fred is the only ADULT in the room! He has the temperament, maturity, and depth of policy skills to make us proud as Republicans. What an incredible contrast he would be to whatever the Democrats put up. To hear him already make the appeal to the independents and Democrats shows he’s already ready for the general election election. Please, Iowa, make us proud and show us how you can see through all the pandering and recognize a Patriot.