October 1, 2007 5:47 AM
Skepticism greets Thompson on campaign trail
Fred Thompson's entrance into the Republican presidential field was supposed to provide a pedal-to-the-metal candidate who combined solid conservative credentials with movie-star charm.
So far the campaign seems to be revving its engine.
M.E. Sprengelmeyer reports:
Just a few short weeks since his heralded entry into the Republican presidential contest, Thompson doesn't appear to have galvanized the GOP's core socially-conservative constituency as some political analysts predicted he would.His late entry, combined with a perceived reluctance to make definitive statements on issues such as a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, has left some Christian "values voters" uncertain, said Iowa Christian Alliance president Steve Scheffler.
"Like some other candidates, he's making some overtures to this base and he's got a shot," Scheffler said.
But supporting the marriage amendment is "an absolute essential," Scheffler said, adding that none of the candidates can get away with vague "pro-family" rhetoric as they might have in the past.
"You know, let's at least be honest with the American people (about) where you are on these issues," Scheffler said. "Because this constituency is a lot more intelligent than they were 10 and 20 years ago, and they don't take all this fluff from candidates on the surface. They want to understand, and they want to make sure these candidates are telling the truth and not giving them just another line."
One high profile Christian conservative has weighed in on Thompson and found him wanting:
James Dobson, founder of the Colorado Springs-based evangelical Christian group Focus on the Family, has already panned Thompson in a private e-mail published by the Associated Press."He has no passion, no zeal and no apparent 'want to.' And yet he is apparently the Great Hope that burns in the breasts of many conservative Christians?" Dobson wrote. "Well, not for me, my brothers. Not for me!"
Is Thompson's campaign more fizzle than sizzle? Too early to tell? If you're a conservative, does Thompson fill the bill for you on social issues?
October 1, 2007
7:24 AM
Stand and wave writes:
It's hard to tell what Thompson is up to since the media is still focused on Hillary, Obama and the rest of the Dems. I haven't a clue what the Republicans are up to. If I've ever seen "main stream media bias" this is certainly the year for it!!!!!
October 1, 2007
7:43 AM
Anonymous writes:
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/top10/308
October 1, 2007
8:02 AM
Anon writes:
So the list is "Top 10 Conservative Idiots" and Bush is on the list three times?!?
Either liberals are too stupid to understand how to put together a top ten list or they are so enraged over Bush they just can't seem to let it die.
And who needs to "move on" again?
Doesn't sound like a group I want running the country!
Then again, we're hear to talk about Thompson and I have to agree; the MSM doing their side a solid by focusing solely on the Left. Even Fox news (Right biased, right?) is focused more on Hillary, Edwards, and Obama than anyone in the GOP.
October 1, 2007
8:05 AM
JB Davis writes:
There have already been many debates for both the Republicans and Democrats. The press coverage has been good for both sides. If "Stand and wave" doesn't know where the various candidates stand on the issues he/she shouldn't blame the press. He/she should stop watching stupid TV and get involved in the process.
Read the paper and the news magazines and watch the debates. Listen to News programs, not opinion programs. Don't believe what Rush or Randi tells you.......find out for yourself.
With Fox News being the top rated news station there is no room for the notion of a liberal press. Only lazy voters.
October 1, 2007
8:06 AM
JB Davis writes:
There have already been many debates for both the Republicans and Democrats. The press coverage has been good for both sides. If "Stand and wave" doesn't know where the various candidates stand on the issues he/she shouldn't blame the press. He/she should stop watching stupid TV and get involved in the process.
Read the paper and the news magazines and watch the debates. Listen to News programs, not opinion programs. Don't believe what Rush or Randi tells you.......find out for yourself.
With Fox News being the top rated news station there is no room for the notion of a liberal press. Only lazy voters.
October 1, 2007
8:20 AM
Jason writes:
Thompson is a criminal. Anyone remember his part in Watergate? He should never have a chance to be the prez of anything but a jail cell!
October 1, 2007
8:53 AM
Stand and wave writes:
JB Davis
I read the Rocky Mountain News, Chicago Sun Times, Grand Island Independent, U K Independant, New York Times, Washington Tmes, The Gazette (Springs), Omaha News, National Review and the Drudge Report......
I can't read anymore since I have a farm to run. There is no dumb TV in a tractor. I stopped listening to Rush back when he was going deaf...he is a bit too biased. Instead I listen to XM radio the uncensored comedy channel and the 80's music. I enjoy political commentary as delivered to the general public and I don't want to become oriented toward any particular party. Now that we're older and wiser and know that we are being led along emotionally the political bias (B.S.) is too thick to avoid. It's a given that an individual politician may start his career being a pure spirit, but eventually, to accomplish anything in Washington, our dear one will have to become corrupt to "get along". You see, idealism will be trumped by expedience and in that rush our appointed officials will become exceedingly stupid.
I for one cannot rationalize that a politician actually knows something about what he tries to sell to the public. How one can learn about something when they are stuck on their ass in Washington amazes me. Career politicians are the worst of all.
October 1, 2007
9:25 AM
jay writes:
stand and wave...you farm out in ks right? have you cut your beans and milo yet?
October 1, 2007
10:10 AM
TaxRitter writes:
S&W,
Lets see if this helps you.
In its first 100 days, the new Democrat Senate passed the largest tax increase in American history -- more than $700 billion in higher taxes. The Democrats set a course to raise income tax rates, taxes on dividends, taxes on capital gains and death taxes.
So please vote Democratic and soon we will literally take your farm, hell we might even give to the illegals.
October 1, 2007
10:33 AM
Anonymous writes:
link please tr
October 1, 2007
10:43 AM
Anonymous writes:
Thompson is just another country club republican with a Hollywood boost. Go Mike Huckabee.
October 1, 2007
10:53 AM
Tree writes:
Guys, take the candidate test.
Obama and Clinton tied for the lead on my score. Who would thunk.
http://www.wqad.com/Global/link.asp?L=259460
October 1, 2007
12:02 PM
Kevin Jones writes:
Foghorn Leghorn not living up to the hype? Who'da thunk it?
October 1, 2007
1:08 PM
shaggy writes:
Duncan Hunter and Mitt Romney for me.
Course I knew that before I took the test
October 1, 2007
1:40 PM
jay writes:
The two religious nuts of the bunch, shaggy? Surely not.
Chris Dodd for me followed by Obama and Hillary in a tie for second.
October 1, 2007
2:01 PM
whatup writes:
From a warmonger president to a hollywood actor...... Whats wrong with the people of this country? Lets get a real candidate!
October 1, 2007
2:10 PM
jay writes:
Looks like Thompson is in a race to the bottom of the credibility bucket....
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071001/NEWS/71001030/1001/hawkeye_insider
October 1, 2007
2:32 PM
history buff writes:
Tree
According to the survey, Chris Dodd edges out John Edwards for me. Maybe I should stick with Edwards until it is decided.
But, seriously, who is Fred Thompson and why does anyone think he is cut from presidential timber? It must be that the Republican candidates are so bad, any no name bad actor can throw his hat in the ring and the media gives him a chance to win, because the voters seem to be unmoved.
October 1, 2007
2:36 PM
maryj writes:
Isn't it the Democratic party's turn again, ME.
I seem to sound like the intolerant right however,James Dobson, Thompson & trophy, make it no be true...please.
October 1, 2007
2:49 PM
Anonymous writes:
Posted by Tree on October 1, 2007 10:53 AM
I took the test and Thompson and Hunter came up with the only disagreement on energy. Barak, Edwards and Hillary only agreed with me on the death penalty.
October 1, 2007
2:49 PM
Hogar De Vuelta (العودة) writes:
Posted by Tree on October 1, 2007 10:53 AM
I took the test and Thompson and Hunter came up with the only disagreement on energy. Barak, Edwards and Hillary only agreed with me on the death penalty.
October 1, 2007
3:29 PM
Anonymous writes:
I re-took the test and it said I should vote for a three term Presidency and I should vote for Bush again.
October 1, 2007
3:33 PM
Harsh dose of reality writes:
Thompson is perfect for the Republicans. He has little chance of success, he is out of touch with the public, and he is a dollar short and a day late in the campaign. He supports the war but has no idea how to end it. And he will probably be dead at about the same time the GOP is in 08.
October 2, 2007
2:37 AM
Alan writes:
Senator Fred Thompson is the only major 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, many Republicans that will stay home if Rudy Giuliani is the candidate. He does not represent our values as Conservatives, and never will. Mitt Romney is a RINO (though a very nice man) that simply has everything else and nothing to do. “I guess I’ll just try to buy the presidency”. 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 and strength back to our party. A little of the good old days of faith and family would do well for 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 party, as a Country, and fight this socialist liberal takeover of our government, what is? It is not impossible to take back the House and the Senate. We are winning in Iraq—they know it. The best they can do now is stop our progress and choose defeat, just like they did during Vietnam. We lost because Congress chose defeat. History repeats itself when not learned from.
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 Country right here and now! I truly believe Fred Thompson is the one man who can pull this party and nation back together! Rudy Giuliani will just tear us apart as a party. Liberal is liberal every day of the week.
Really tick off the leftist democrats and contribute to Fred Thompson: https://www.fred08.com/contribute.aspx?RefererID=c637caaa-315c-4b4c-9967-08d864cd0791
October 2, 2007
9:34 AM
jay writes:
"He makes decisions based on principles."
We've had 7 years of decisions made on "principles", gut feelings and the best advice of our local shaman religious leaders.
No thanks.
I'll take decisions based on the best, CREDIBLE information available and the counsel of the best, non-biased minds at our disposal.
"Think of it this way: Eight years of another Clinton White House?"
Yes...think of it...8 more years of unprecedented peace and prosperity.
The horror.
October 2, 2007
12:50 PM
shaggy writes:
Hey jay,
We have agreed before that move.on is an extreme leftist organization and should be denounced by the Democrats but how about media matters, is that a extreme left organization?
Just curious is all.
October 4, 2007
8:16 AM
jay writes:
shaggy...post a link to the conversation when we "agreed" on that... I agree that moveon should have found a different way to exhibit that sentiment that is shared by the majority of Americans...but don't for one minute think that The Pet's oscar winning performance on hill was anything but smoke and mirrors...well...I guess the far right were fooled...but what else is new.