Thompson finds a winning line

As an actor, Fred Thompson knows the value of repeats (nothing like residual checks to keep the bank account healthy).

As a presidential contender, he's hoping that repeated references to what's become known as his "hands down" moment will boost his political stock.

Amid continuing negative critiques of his campaign style, he is reveling in his one widely acclaimed star turn since entering the race -- his refusal, during last week's Republican candidate debate in Des Moines, to accede to the moderator's request for a raised-hand answer to a question on global warming.

In Iowa, his campaign bus now includes this slogan: "The Clear Conservative Choice. Hands Down." (You can take a look here.) He's also been telling voter after voter that he won the debate -- you guessed it -- "hands down."

Tuesday night, on Fox News' Hannity & Colmes show, Thompson expanded his repertoire. Said he: "I'm not raising my hand until Chief Justice John Roberts swear me in (as president)."

A good line. But chances are he's going to need several more -- quickly -- to win a show of hands among political pros on his chances of emerging as his party's nominee.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[spacemonkey]

Why can't all political reporting be as balanced as your blog?

Good write up.

[Dave P]

Fred Thompson gets it. The media has attacked him over and over for two reasons; He doesn't do things their way and he is the only real threat to beat Hillary in an election. The liberal media drools over Hillary and they know that Fred will connect with the public just as Reagan did and their dream of another Clinton White House goes down the drain.

[The True Conservative]

Thanks for an honest look at fred thompson hands down

[Grant H. Lynn, CSA]

As a native Californian I thank you for telling the people out there, that there is another candidate out there. Most people have not heard about Senator Thompson nor what he stands for. All we ask, from the grassroots, is for people to go to Fred08.com and see for themselves and then decide for themselves. Again THANK YOU for your open opinion.

Grant H. Lynn, CSA

[S Benn]

I wholeheartedly support Fred Thompson. I have watched the debates and he stands head and shoulders above the other candidates not only in stature but also in conservatism and detailed plans for immigration, strengthening the armed forces, lowering taxes, social security and much more. Just go to www.fred08.com and click on issues and his "white papers" and you too will become a Fredhead. The media plays him down because the know he can beat Hillary!

[Frederick Paxson]

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 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.