The End of the American Republic?

“The American Republic will endure until politicians realize they can bribe the people with their own money.” -Alexis De Tocqueville

I think that politicians, especially since FDR, have long known that they can bribe the people with their own money. But since FDR, a healthy majority of the American people couldn't be bought. They loved freedom, less government, and a secure nation more than the baubles and breadcumbs that may have flowed from Washington, D.C.

The nation, on the whole, was a conservative nation.

Nothing illustrated this more than the wholesale acceptance of Ronald Wilson Reagan in 1980, and of his legacy as borne in the Contract with America that launched the Republican Congressional revolution of 1994.

And nothing spelled out the repudiation of the conservative principles on which this nation was founded than the third place finish of Fred Thompson in South Carolina.

On point after point, from immigration, to national security, to taxes and to life itself, Fred Thompson mirrored the conservative ideals that have been proven to be so effective in governing our nation since the penning of the Federalist Papers.

If there was anywhere in this nation where it couldn't have been more clear, it would have been in South Carolina; traditionally a bastion of clear thinking, small government conservatives.

Yet John McCain, in every sense a political opportunistic populist with a liberal voting record as long as the Mississippi, ran the table.

Newt Gingrich caught a lot of flack when he proclaimed that Reaganesque conservatism was in its death throes, and that politicians needed to embrace a more "centrist" approach.

He was right in the sense that South Carolina is current living proof that Reaganesque conservatism is, if anything, on life support.

Maybe Rush Limbaugh was right last week when he said that it took a Jimmy Carter to give us Ronaldus Magnus.

Perhaps 2012 will be the year of Fred... if the liberals haven't run us into the ground by then.

Fred Thompson: First Against Illegal Immigration; First in Common Sense.

From Numbers, USA

(January 18) The day before South Carolina’s Republican Primary, the Rasmussen Poll of the state shows the frontrunners as McCain (24%), Huckabee (24%), Romney (18%) and Thompson (16%). Of the four, according to NumbersUSA President Roy Beck’s Presidential Grid that rates each candidate in 16 immigration categories, Fred Thompson scores the highest. And Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) scores the lowest overall. The ratings are based on how well a candidate’s immigration stances would protect American workers, taxpayers, communities, infrastructure, individual freedom and the environment.

Fred on Gitmo:

SENECA, S.C. --

(AP) -- Republican U.S. presidential candidate Fred Thompson on Friday defended the detention of foreign nationals at the U.S. Navy base in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

''The last thing in the world we need is a bunch of enemy combatants over here in our court system,'' the former Tennessee senator said during a radio interview in front of a couple hundred people at a restaurant.

He said closing the detention facility would allow prisoners to demand rights given to U.S. citizens and would not help ``buy off world opinion.''

The Guantánamo remarks were a slap at Arizona Sen. John McCain, the winner of the New Hampshire primary and former Vietnam-held prisoner-of-war, who has called for the facility to be shuttered in part because it is harming the United States' global reputation.

Fred on issues:


No. Contest.

Full Speed Ahead, Fred! (c)

Rush Limbaugh and Fred Thompson

Check out this great post at the National Ledger.

Fred Gets Mad...

And so am I.

What do you do when you're desperate, when you know that you are lacking in substance and devoid of serious gravitas?

Why run push polls against your Republican opponent, of course:

Fred Thompson Gets Mad

By Joel Achenbach
PROSPERITY, S.C. -- You rarely see Fred Thompson get too riled about anything, but steam was near about shooting from his ears today when he heard at a campaign stop that some of his supporters had received "push poll" calls from a group supporting Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee.

At a steak house in this small town west of Columbia, a man in the small crowd told Thompson that many people had gotten such calls in the past 24 hours. Thompson asked anyone who had received such a call to raise his or hand. At least a dozen hands shot up. The former senator said he'd heard of push polls accusing him of supporting partial birth abortion.

"They're taking the most outrageous, easily disproved things that they can come up with. It's amazing to me. Its so ham-handed," Thompson said. "I had a 100 percent pro-life voting record over 8 years."

Trey Taylor, 41, told The Post that he'd gotten a call in which, after he'd revealed his preference for Thompson, a recorded voice said Thompson had lobbied on behalf of a "radical" pro-abortion organization. The recording then cited Huckabee's anti-abortion record.

Speaking with reporters, Thompson looked like he was ready to strip the bark off Huckabee. He suggested that Huckabee isn't trying to "win the legitimate way" by focusing on the issues. At the most recent debate, he said, "I confronted him man to man, with regard to the issues. This is the response I get."

Not only does Huckabee govern like a democrat; he's campaigning like one.

Fred on Christian Charity...

from CBS News:

Mixing theology and social issues on the campaign trail is rare for Fred Thompson, but he discussed it today answering a question from a member of the audience.

A woman asked him if he would “as a Christian, as a conservative” continue President Bush’s programs to combat global AIDS.

“Christ didn’t tell us to go to the government and pass a bill to get some of these social problems dealt with. He told us to do it,” Thompson said.

“The government has its role, but we need to keep firmly in mind the role of the government, and the role of us as individuals and as Christians on the other.”

He received a round of applause for his answer, and went on to expand on the role of government in fighting AIDS and other diseases.

h/t Glenn Reynolds

Fred's Pro-Life Credentials...

...Can't be argued. Here is a non-exhaustive list of Fred's pro-life endorsements:

National Right to Life endorses Fred Thompson.

Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life endorses Fred Thompson.

Rhode Island Right to Life endorses Fred Thompson.

Wyoming Right to Life endorses Fred Thompson.

South Carolina Right to Life endorses Fred Thompson.

North Carolina Right to Life endorses Fred Thompson.

Vermont Right to Life endorses Fred Thompson.

Citizens for Life in New Hampshire endorse Fred Thompson.

Virginia Society for Human Life endorses Fred Thompson.

The Thompson Awakening

As the GOP primary season rolls on, and the issue of substance rears its head, it's becoming increasingly clear that Fred Thompson remains the only true conservative choice:

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — John and Ann Berenberk dutifully watched the umpteenth Republican presidential debate on television on Thursday night and had an epiphany. It was about the candidate they had previously referred to as the tall, silent one. Fred D. Thompson.

The last of the candidates to enter the race, Mr. Thompson, 65, a former Tennessee senator, has so far seemed to distinguish himself mainly by a laconic style that has made him almost invisible beside the others on the stage in past debates, the Berenberks said.

“But then last night — we hadn’t even been thinking about him — all of a sudden it was clear he was the one,” said Mr. Berenberk, a retired teacher. “The bluntness, the forcefulness. He was really impressive.”

Whether this was a new Fred Thompson, or just a sign of mirage-inducing campaign fatigue among voters, many people attending Mr. Thompson’s campaign rallies here on the day after the debate reported having similar revelations.

[SNIP]

Mr. Thompson has made all the same points during campaign events throughout the state, aides said. But many voters who flocked to his rallies on Friday had never heard him make them until they heard him in the latest debate on the Fox News Channel.

Jim Sickles, a retired corrections officer; Natalie Bankowski, an office manager; and Maryanne Gasper, who said she was “a waitress, with two other jobs,” were among a dozen people randomly interviewed who said they had been undecided or leaning toward other Republican candidates — mainly Mr. Huckabee — until Thursday night.

The more the campaign wears on, the more that everyday people are starting to realize that, far from being a slick re-packaged candidate that speaks in focus-group tested soundbites, Fred Thompson is a genuine man who has, and will continue to deal in true conservative principles and ideals. To Fred, they're not soundbites, nor trite platitudes. They're the core of his being.

As time goes by, epiphanies to that effect will become the norm, not the exception.

***UPDATE****

Joe Sixpack isn't the only one awakening to the merits of a Fred Thompson presidency; the major media pundits are taking note as well.

See Flopping Aces for a great compendium of thoughts around the MSM as well as the blogosphere.

Fred the Elder

A clue as to who's the grown-up in this race.

Fred's smackdown of Mike Huckabee.

If Fred pulls off a big “comeback”, many can say it started with the South Carolina smackdown of Mike Huckabee last week.

Check out the video.



***Leo adds****

P3WNED!

Fred on CNN

Human Events Endorses Fred!

Story here.

"Human Events Endorses Fred Thompson"
The Editors
Human Events
January 11, 2008

…

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 compromis ed 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 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 sai d 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.

…

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 polit ical 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."

…

For example, your stand on reforming th e entitlement programs that threaten to bankrupt our nation is courageous and workable.

…

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.

…

Also, Fred is the clear winner in the debate in South Carolina (from Seattle Post Intelligencer, via Fred 08):

But it was Thompson's performance, in which he shook off the laid-back style that has defined his candidacy, which provided some of the liveliest moments of the debate.

"This is a battle for the heart and soul of the Republican Party and its future," said Thompson, who has staked his run on a strong showing in South Carolina's Jan. 19 primary.

"On the one hand," he said, "you have the Reagan revolution, you have the Reagan coalition of limited government and strong national security. And the other hand, you have the direction that Governor Huckabee would take us in. He would be a Christian leader, but he would also bring about liberal economic policies, liberal foreign policies."

Thompson then lit into Huckabee, the former Baptist preacher and Arkansas governor who won the Iowa caucus, for wanting to close the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for supporting what he called "taxpayer-funded programs for illegals" and for wanting to sign a law restricting smoking.

"That's not the model of the Reagan coalition, that's the model of the Democratic Party," he said.

It's inevitable, folks... Fred's gonna do it.

From the Thompson Campaign:

Yesterday marked the beginning of Fred's Clear Conservative Choice--Hands Down! bus tour through South Carolina.

We had fantastic events in Greenville, Lexington, Camden and Sumter. Fred was greeted by enthusiastic crowds at each stop and took his message directly to hundreds of voters. Today he will be in Florence, Conway, and Myrtle Beach.

He's out there working hard and doing what he does best; talking directly to the people who will determine the outcome of the primary in just 10 days. Check out this footage of yesterday's events.

South Carolina has been an important component of our strategy since this race began, and we have been very focused on laying the groundwork for victory down there for a long time. Our team in the state is second to none and we have an outstanding organization of support throughout the state.

Fred is energized and focused. He's out there pounding the pavement, but he needs your help.

We are very close to meeting our goal for the Red Truck Challenge, help us get there with your contribution today! Forward on Fred's message to your friends and encourage them to join on as Friends of Fred. Log on to our 'Phone for Fred' program and help us reach voters across the state.

For the next 10 days, Fred is putting his all into a victory in South Carolina. He will win. He needs your help! Every bit counts. $10, just one dollar per day!! That's less than a cup of coffee. $25, $50 or even $100 is a small investment for a tremendous impact.

William B. Lacy
Campaign Manager

Fred last in New Hampshire, First among Conservatives...

Fred's last-place finish in New Hampshire is far from the death knell of his campaign:

From Maine For Fred Thompson:

For Conservatives, the race begins in South Carolina

No conservative was ever going to win Iowa or New Hampshire, although New Hampshire will identify the most conservative Republican in the race. He will place last in New Hampshire.

So the focus for conservatives begins in South Carolina. As the race moves south and the overcrowded field of unlikely contenders thins down to the five who could actually win the nomination, Republicans will get a closer look at their five primary contenders and it is now Thompson’s time to shine.

Amen.

When it comes to pure substance, and pure, rational workable and sane thinking, there is not a candidate in the field, democrat or republican, who can hold a candle to Fred.

FULL SPEED AHEAD, FRED!!

So, what's Romney afraid of?

In a "reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated" moment, the story that Fred would concede and support John McCain has been proven to be a total falsehood. The rumor, which was initially reported to be coming from officials "close to the Thompson campaign" did not come from the Thompson campaign, nor anyone connected with it. The question remained, who would put out such a rumor?

From here, via The Corner:

Published reports that Fred Thompson soon will withdraw from the Republican presidential contest and endorse Sen. John McCain have been traced in part to Mitt Romney's campaign, trying to stir up strife between McCain and Thompson.

Why the dirty tricks, Mitt? Are you afraid of running on the substance of your convictions and ideas?

Oh wait. There is no substance, is there.

Carry on.

No. Contest.

Fred was the clear winner in last night's debate. Romney and Giuliani may have dominated in talk time, but clearly didn't provide anything of substance, cementing the notion that one can talk and talk for hours and not say anything. Fred's clearly articulated stances on issues, including his "p3wning" Mitt Romney on the issue of health care, along with his no-nonsense approach to illegal immigration, were both intellectually and and substantively light years above anyone else's stance.

Face it folks, when it comes to substantive stances on issues, as well as workable, detailed plans, no one holds a candle to Fred Thompson. As time goes by and Americans start to pay more attention to the debate, it is clear who the only, real, conservative choice is.

FULL SPEED AHEAD, FRED!

Fred Picks Up Yet Another Pro-Life Endorsement...

This time from Minnesota's own MCCL!

Maritime Sentinel has the details!

***UPDATE**** New Hampshire Citizens for Life has also endorsed Fred!

Details at My Views On Politics

Memo to Primary Voters...

To those of you who think Fred can't win...

(click for full size)

Fred takes Third in Iowa...

Despite what the Politico said about Fred dropping out and endorsing McCain, tonight's results couldn't be further from the truth!

Fred Thompson took third place in Iowa today. Remember, this is the same Fred Thompson who is the latest latecomer in the primary race. This is the same Fred Thompson who took campaigning to a new level of frankness, as noted in his 17-minute down-to-earth no-nonsense video.

And yes, this is the same Fred Thompson who has barely been mentioned by Fox and by the establishment media.

Not bad for a Johnny-come lately into the field.

Concede to McCain? I don't think so.

Consider Iowa a "tortoise and the hare" moment. Look for the Thompson juggernaut to gain momentum from this point on.

FULL SPEED AHEAD, FRED!!