Federalist Fred
It seems that Johnathan Adler over at the Volokh Conspiracy really liked what he heard from Thompson on Meet the Press.
And you know what? I agree. And it is just one more reason I like FDT more than the other candidates.
A much better look into why Fred Thompson's answers on abortion and gay marriage seem to get tortured by some in the Republican party and the mainstream media. Could it be because some folks have totally given up on Federalism?
I hope FDT continues to hold onto the Federalism argument and sharpen his responses in interviews such as his Meet the Press appearance. Sure it could mean that folks won't get it and he could lose because of it, however we NEED to have someone making this argument in this day and age.
It may not be sexy but it is needed and I'd rather support someone who is making an attempt at positing the right argument as opposed to creatively crafting a campaign strategy to merely gain votes. In the long term (hopefully there is enough "long" left in this election cycle "term") the position will gain ground and this country will be better off for it.
Rather than have folks like Giuliani and Romney breaking their backs in an attempt to pander to what their consultants believe the primary voters will merely respond to. We tried that with GW Bush.Many politicians say such things. President Bush, for one, spoke quite a bit about the need for state flexibility when he was a Governor and a candidate, but seems to have forgotten about such things over the past six years. It appears Thompson actually means it, however, as he stuck to his federalist guns even when confronted with issues where many "conservatives" abandon federalism and embrace federal power. He even endorsed state autonomy where such a position meant rejecting policy positions favored by significant portions of the GOP base.
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Update: Huckabee took a lame shot at FDT and Thompson shot back on Fox News.
Fred must be reading NWR. He hit my points on Huckabee almost to a tee.
Hot Air had this to say.Thompson manages to pound Huckabee into a fine powder without ever coming across as harsh or even particularly angry. It’s as solid an appearance as I’ve seen Thompson deliver since the official announcement that he’s running.
Takeaway: Don’t mess with the Fred.
So which conservative will be left standing to take on Rudy? Thompson? Huckabee? Romney?
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10 comments:
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Well, I would never vote for that cross-dressing ex-mayor from NYC.
Yes, I agree, Fred's position on Federalism is refreshing.
It's a basic tenet of our Constitution. Remember the Bill of Rights -- the Tenth Amendment, reserves the power to the states or the people if not specifically delegated to the federal government.
And Huckabee was wrong to directly attack because he is so vulnerable on so many Conservative issues.
Huckabee is glib, pro-life, and pro-gun. But liberal on just about everything else.
Sancturary state?
Huckabee solicited a Mexican consulate at the behest of Arkansas corporations wanting cheap illegal labor.
Huckabee actively sought to subvert U.S. immigration law.
Huckabee would even institute a federal ban on smoking in bars and taverns (in the workplace).
Thompson is in fighting trim. I would hate to see Giuliani take a direct attack on Thompson: There would be Giuliani's political blood and guts on the street.
Not a pretty sight.
(O.K., I wouldn't mind seeing Giuliani's political blood and guts spilled all over the floor.)
Fred is rapier sharp on the counterpunches, those were my strongest memories of his time in the Senate.
Thompson's responses to Democratic positions always made me glad to be a Republican and that Fred was on our side.
Red hot and rolling.
I actually think FDT might want Rudy around for a while. I think he would like to see Romney go though because they are competing for a lot of the same block.
I need to check him out more. The federalist issue why I would never vote conservative if I have a choice in a primary election. To me Conservativism is just another name for Liberalism.
Federalist?
As in a well defined limited Federal government.
Name a Republican who isn't who is currently running?
In fact Huckabee soliciting the Mexican Consulate would be a state right to negoitate their own limited work visa program under the most limited of Federal roles.
Fred Thompson is an extremely competant star attorney of a conservative stripe. So is Giuliani. Big deal (said with all due respect just to stir the pot)
Of course, on the face of it, Huckabee has all the right in the world to solicit a Mexican consulate.
It's the intent behind it.
Is it just coincidence?
I won't recount the whole saga, but when you consider Arkansas had the biggest increase in Hispanics in the nation, it makes you wonder.
How many are illegal?
Hispanic-Americans have no need for a Mexican consulate.
Tyson's Food and other illegal cheap labor advocates were behind it both in political and financial backing.
Dare!PDX is all for open borders and amnesty so no surprise seeing his comment.
Am I the only one who is finally glad to see a Republican who hits back effectively when he's attacked? Dick Morris always says it isn't the negative attack but the counterattack that is most damaging.
This is the best I've seen from Fred Thompson since he became a declared candidate.
Jack, if you like this, you need to watch his videos up on his website (and read his essays!).
Fred is launching a great new TV ad in Iowa. It doesn't say much about substance, but it gets voters to see him and put a name to the face. Many people will recognize him (even if they don't watch Law and Order) and it will suddenly click in their minds "oh yeah, he's that guy I like." That's what wins elections.
It also shows a teenage Fred shaking hands with Governor Ronald Reagan - he's been a Reagan Conservative for 40 years! What other candidate can say that?
Keep in mind, this will be the first serious campaigning he has done in Iowa. Over the next 2 months, expect him to climb and break away from the pack and be the only one to seriously challenge Romney in Iowa.
We still have a LONG way to go, and people who think Fred peaked and fizzled might end up surprised.
They Said It: Thompson Social Security Plan Applauded as ‘Courageous,’ ‘Honest,’ and ‘Substantive’
Courage & Honesty
Republican presidential contender Fred Thompson’s plan to save Social Security and protect seniors, which he introduced Friday afternoon in a Washington, D.C., hotel, differs starkly from standard election year pablum on the subject in one key way: He’s actually treating voters like adults. (ABC, 11/9)
Thompson...is seeking to show he is willing to take on tough issues if elected in November 2008, telling a news conference in Washington he was the only candidate to offer an extensive Social Security plan. (Reuters, 11/10)
“You certainly have to admire his courage for putting this out,” said Alan Viard with the American Enterprise Institute. (Tennessean, 11/10)
Supporters contend that Thompson’s willingness to take on the so-called third rail of politics will impress voters. (Bloomberg, 11/10)
Conservative economic experts applauded Thompson for offering specifics on an issue considered to be politically dangerous. (Tennessean, 11/10)
“He’s not afraid to be brutally honest with the American people about the challenges that lie ahead,” said Representative Zach Wamp, a Tennessee Republican who is working to recruit supporters for Thompson. “People can tell the difference between a strong leader telling the truth and a weak leader talking politics.” (Bloomberg, 11/10)
Substance
[Thompson is] the first candidate of either party to offer a detailed proposal to fix the nation’s retirement system. (WP, 11/10)
The Republican candidate laid out a detailed, four-page proposal (WSJ, 11/10)
Mr. Thompson’s plan...was more specific than what the Bush White House put on the table when it sought to overhaul the system. It also varied substantially from the traditional conservative approach of focusing primarily on personal investment accounts. (NYT, 11/10)
Economist Jason Furman said Thompson deserves credit for offering a detailed plan to address the projected Social Security shortfall...(Bloomberg, 11/10)
In discussing policy, Thompson was in his element. (Politico, 11/9)
He’d prefer to talk about substance. (Politico, 11/9)
Thompson’s plan draws on ideas favored by conservatives: a reduction in benefits, rather than an increase in payroll taxes; and a shift toward private accounts, rather than government-provided payments. (WP, 11/10)
Rivals
[Thompson] ventured Friday into an area few rivals have tread: advocacy of a fundamental overhaul of Social Security. (WSJ, 11/10)
Although all of the presidential candidates have spoken, when asked, about the need to fix the Social Security system, none has offered such a detailed plan nor talked so eagerly and often about the issue. (WSJ, 11/10)
Among Republicans, former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney have talked in general terms ... but none has offered a specific plan. (WP, 11/10)
Mr. Thompson is the only one of the Republicans running for the White House who has made Social Security a central theme of his campaign. (NYT, 11/10)
He is the only presidential candidate so far to make Social Security an anchor of his campaign. (WSJ, 11/10)
But with less than two months before the 2008 voting begins, candidates have generally been reluctant to confront the Social Security issue. (WP, 11/10)
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Saving and Protecting Social Security
A Plan to Ensure Retirement Security for All Americans
http://www.fred08.com/virtual/socialsecurity.aspx
Senator Fred Thompson is the only candidate that gets it. He makes decisions based on principles. Principles don’t change. You have to stand for something and not change who you are based on the polls. That is what Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani have done and all of the Democrats do it. Give me a leader that will stand by his principles anyday versus someone that stands for everything.
I know many Republicans and conservatives that will stay home if Rudy Giuliani is the candidate. He does not represent our values as conservatives, and never will. Millionaire Mitt Romney is a Republican-in-name-only (RINO ) that simply has everything else and nothing to do. “I guess I’ll just try to buy the presidency”. The White House isn’t for sale! Conservatives will simply stay home and the Democrats will pick up additional seats in the House and probably get the 60 seats in the Senate they need to completely destroy our Country. Nice picture huh?
However, I think Fred can bring America back together, if that’s even possible. America needs a rebirth of patriotism and honor. Republicans also need a rebirth. President Reagan was our last rebirth and he can never be duplicated. Fred Thompson will bring his own down-to-earth common sense to this country. If a conservative runs as a conservative, he will win!
Think of it this way: Eight years of another Clinton White House? Now if that is not a sufficient enough reason to pull together as a nation, and fight this socialist liberal takeover of our government, what is?
Folks, we are in for the fight of our lives, just as our young men and women are fighting for our freedoms in Iraq and Afghanistan, we must fight for our nation right here and now! I truly believe Fred Thompson is the one man who can pull this nation back together! Rudy Giuliani will just tear us apart.
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