Thompson: Future of GOP To Be "Decided...In S.C."

By: John Bentley
Topics: Fred Thompson

(CBS)

From CBS News' John Bentley:

GEORGETOWN, S.C. -- With nothing less than the future of the Republican Party at stake, according to Fred Thompson, he stepped up his attacks on Mike Huckabee that he launched last night at the Republican debate.

"We're making a decision in the Republican Party, and the decision may very well be decided here in South Carolina," he said. "Are we going to adhere to the principles of the Reagan coalition of limited government and strong national defense, or are we going to go into a more liberal mode?"

Thompson made the comments after shaking hands and posing for pictures in the diners and sidewalks of Georgetown, S.C. While walking through the streets of the small, scenic village, several residents walked up to the senator to compliment him on his debate performance.

"I saw you last night and it was really good," said one local woman, who gripped Thompson's hand as he walked by. "I was impressed."

Thompson is trying to impress enough voters to overtake Huckabee, who's currently leading in the polls here, by pointing out their policy differences.

"I'm not for policies that invite illegal immigrants to continue to flow into this country, I'm not for the NEA [National Education Association] – I'm for vouchers," Thompson said. "Governor Huckabee and I disagree on all those things."

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by allenfuller-2009 January 14, 2008 5:02 AM EST: marilynchapm, get your facts straight.

It was not the New York Times, but Time Magazine, that listed Huckabee as one of the top 5 governors.

Huckabee has also chaired multiple national organizations including the National Governors Association, the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, and the Education Commission of the States. More regionally, he has chaired the Southern Growth Policies Board, the Southern Region Education Board, and the Southern Technology Council. He is also a member of the Republican Governors Association. (Source: wikipedia)

Huckabee is EMINENTLY qualified as an executive and leader.; Reply to this comment


by GMEllis625 January 13, 2008 4:17 AM EST: Fred Thompson is the only real conservative running. He is a federalist and believes in limited government. He supports the 2nd Amendment and the rest of the Constitution. He understands economics and why the American people should be deciding how to spend their money, not having Washington spend it for them. He is strong on national defense and understand the threat caused by global terrorism. He is pro-life and always has been.

Fred Thompson is the conservative choice, hands down!; Reply to this comment


by giantrobot2 January 12, 2008 12:46 AM EST: ALERT! *** ALERT! *** ALERT!

$75,000 = $375 per week
$50,000 = $250 per week
$35,000 = $175 per week
$25,000 = $125 per week

Vote for HUCKABEE and get richer!

Based on your annual salary on the left, you get to take home this much more (per week) if you vote for HUCKABEE!

Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee is the ( ONLY ) candidate to commit to implementing the "Fair Tax" system for Americans.

Income tax is eliminated and Sales tax increase from 7% to 26%.

$1,000 LCD Flat screen TV:
Now cost $1,070 with 7% tax
New cost $1,260 with 26% tax

$260 - $70 = $190 more for tax. But just think how fast you can save up $190 now! You can save up that amount in 3 to 5 days, that''''s all with HUCKABEE''''S new Fair Tax system.

To save up to buy that new TV will be very quick now.

Now you put away say $20 a week. That would take you 50 weeks or just about 1 year to save up for that. ($1,000 / $20 = 50 weeks)

But with HUCKABEE''''s plan you can save up say $375 week and pay it off in just 2 to 3 weeks! That''''s all! ($1,000 / $375 = 2 to 3 weeks)

If you want to become richer than you MUST vote for HUCKABEE. He is the ( ONLY ) presidential candidate committing to do this for all Americans.

VOTE for Mike Huckabee! Go to his web site and check him out at Mike Huckabee dot com.

You can walk home a richer happier man or woman each week if you vote for HUCKABEE!!!; Reply to this comment


by af9115 January 11, 2008 9:51 PM EST: Woman76 Apparently you haven''t had much education in history. Our forfounders seperated Church and State to make sure that all religions were included in this great country. It was never intended that there would or should be a "combination" of church and state. Your vote for Huckabee is obviously for religious purposes. He may be a great pastor for your faith, but he does not speak for all American Citizens. If he were truly a "man of faith", he would be much more tolerant of other faiths. I am not a Romney supporter however, Huckabee literally stated to a repoter where he knew the story would get out, DON"T MORMONS BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE DEVILS BROTHER. I don''t care what faith you believe in, that was unchristian, immoral, baseless, pandering to the Evangicals (who don''t get all the say in this country) and downright mean spirited. Do you really believe this man is a "compassionate" Christian?; Reply to this comment


by af9115 January 11, 2008 9:41 PM EST: Mike Huckabee will take us down the path to liberalism sooner that a Hillary Clinton. At least she has experience!; Reply to this comment


by af9115 January 11, 2008 9:38 PM EST: John Bently I admire and respect you now for your reporting the news as it happens. I did dog you in the past. Keep up the good work.; Reply to this comment


by marilynchapm January 11, 2008 9:22 PM EST: Mike Huckabee is only a social conservative. It was the LIBERAL New York Times that named him one of the top 5 governors. He raised taxes, gave illegals benefits and he wants to ban smoking...... and he''s a conservative how? If you want conservatism the only vote can be for Fred Thompson. The MSM media want a Huckabee win so the that the democrats might have a chance. They figure that even if Huck wins he''s enough like them that it won''t make much difference.; Reply to this comment


by jimgnz January 11, 2008 8:56 PM EST: The real conservative is Fred Thompson. Mike Huckabee has more in common with Bill Clinton then Ronald Reagan.

Check out Huckabee''s real record that he is doing his best to hide

http://www.factcheck.org/articles/articleview.php?id=380; Reply to this comment


by allenfuller-2009 January 11, 2008 8:15 PM EST: Mike Huckabee is actually quite intelligent-- he proves it by how quick he is on his feet in the debates. He truly is a great communicator, and he connects with people including the Reagan Democrats that we have lost.

He has a great record as a governor, named one of the top 5 governors in the nation. For all you that say he was a tax-and-spender, most states had to raise taxes during that era due to budget crunches. He started out cutting taxes and spending, and then only raised them for legitimate government functions like roads and education.

Thompson''s attacks last night on Huckabee only show how desperate he is. The attacks did not have a shred of truth in them, only the anti-Huck talking points that have been bouncing around and have been discredited so many times.; Reply to this comment


by newideas1 January 11, 2008 7:33 PM EST: For several years I have hoped that Fred Thompson would run for President and have sung his praises to the rafters. I still think that he would make a fine President.

However, he has languished in this race and I find his attacks on Gov. Huckabee at this late hour to be not only incredulous, but insulting to the legions of voters who have rallied behind Gov. Huckabee--one of the few GOP candidates to step up to the plate and perform.

I support Mike Huckabee, and I encourage you to consider his candidacy.

www.abuckforhuck.com; Reply to this comment