Fred Thompson Runs to The Right

Washington Post: Candidate's First Official Day On Trail Is In Iowa

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Michael D. Shear.

---

Fred D. Thompson took his bid for the White House to the campaign trail Thursday, vowing to compete aggressively for the support of Iowans and pitching steady, experienced and conservative leadership.

"I still have the same common-sense conservative beliefs I did when I ran in 1994," the former senator said in a speech at a Des Moines conference center, a not-so-subtle reference to criticism about the changing positions of his main Republican rivals, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani.

"The preseason is over," he declared. "Let's get on with it."

Thompson begins at a big disadvantage in Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses, trailing Romney and several others in establishing an organization here, but his advisers believe it is a contest he cannot skip. They plan to target the conservative base here, a group that has consistently expressed frustration with its presidential choices this year.

"A lot of conservative voters have been holding their nose a little bit throughout the course of this campaign, trying to find a place where they were comfortable," one senior Thompson adviser said. "Our message to them is 'You can breathe easier now.' "

In Thursday's speech, he pledged fidelity to a series of conservative principles -- limited government, an aggressive foreign policy and lower taxes -- and promised a commitment to securing the borders and appointing conservative judges.

His rivals are not about to give up their claim to the party's right wing. Giuliani consistently touts his tax-cutting record in New York City and has staked out a hard-line position on the Iraq war. Romney has recently seized upon the issue of illegal immigration, pledging a crackdown and accusing Giuliani of presiding over a "sanctuary city" for illegal immigrants.

But Thompson's advisers believe that Romney and Giuliani are fundamentally flawed candidates: Romney has acknowledged "evolving" on core issues such as abortion, and Giuliani has a record of liberal positions on gun control, abortion and same-sex marriage that he has been forced to defend as he courts conservatives.

Romney has spent millions of dollars and built what his rivals concede is an impressive campaign operation in the state, much of it aimed at winning the Iowa straw poll last month.

"There's a recognition that we have to compete again, not only for conservatives but for all voters. We understand that and we're ready to do it," said Romney spokesman Kevin Madden. "Ultimately conservative voters will say, 'Who's the best person to lead this party, rebuild it and win in November?' Governor Romney has a competitive edge there." But Thompson advisers believe his upbringing in Tennessee might give him an advantage.

"He's a plain-spoken, Southern country lawyer and he speaks to the American people in a very direct way. That's going to be one of the keys to the success of this campaign," said Todd Harris, Thompson's communications director. "Iowa is at the center of America's heartland. Iowans share the same kind of heartland values that Fred Thompson was raised with."

Many on the right swooned when he first floated interest in the race in March. But in the months since, questions about his record on abortion and campaign-finance reform have dulled some of that enthusiasm.

A national anti-tax group Thursday proclaimed that his record has the "hallmarks of a pro-growth economic conservative," but the Club for Growth cautioned that the senator has an "enigmatic" record on tort reform and must explain his support for limits on political speech.

Thompson's advisers believe he will have to compete aggressively in several state contests, particularly South Carolina and Florida, both of which host critical early contests and could provide a firewall if he were to falter in New Hampshire.

"Thompson's goal is to launch a campaign that positions him as the true-blue conservative. That's the secret to being competitive in the early states," said Scott Reed, who managed Bob Dole's presidential campaign in 1996. "They need to take the bus south as soon as possible. Do well in Iowa, survive New Hampshire, and then he's on his home turf."

Once there, he will have to contend with Giuliani, who has shown surprising strength in South Carolina and has an overwhelming lead in Florida.

Campaigning there will take money, and it is unclear how well Thompson has done in his fundraising efforts. He raised about $3 million in the first month of his exploratory effort but will not have to report the rest of his finances until mid-October. Aides said that, as of late Thursday afternoon, roughly $300,000 had flowed into the campaign since his announcement on "The Tonight Show" Wednesday night.

[brianbwb-2009]

Great, another fascist to drive yet another nail into the Republican coffin, but I fear the spineless Democrats will still let the Nazi party control the debate, and probably blow an election that should be already decided.

[rushlimpdrug]

Just what this country needs a lawyer scum and former lobbyist.
Someone wipe the dribble off his mouth and get the old man to the nearest nursing home.
America deserves better.

[gkc99]

Another chickenhawk?

Tell us how you avoided the Vietnam draft, Mr. Fred Thompson, class of 1964, law school class of 1967.

Too busy making money? Had other priorities? Rich daddy buy you out? Medical problems like Ronnie Raygun had in WW2?

[toldyouso21]

"There''s a recognition that we have to compete again, not only for conservatives but for all voters. We understand that and we''re ready to do it," said Romney spokesman Kevin Madden"


There is no competing for ALL voters when the majority of us do not want a war that you endorse. Republicans need to get a clue--no matter what their base wants or believes--there are simply NOT enough in the GOP to win the white house without other support. This Independent says no more Republicans at the top levels of government for at least 8 years. We don''t just need a delousing from Republican actions, we need a hiatus. (note: we will probably need a Dem. Delousing after that--but we need to roll back the police state , start-lotsa wars and make the right''s personal beliefs into law-mentatlity that identifies the Republican base.

[setumstrt9]

brianbwb,

You sound a little nervous. I thought you libs had this election in the bag no matter who was running.

By the way, I hope they save a few of those nails for us if a dem wins. They want the governement to take over our health care, raise taxes, keep the borders open, and end the war on terror. God help us!!!

[jwhitmann]

Fred Thompson

Just another former Senator from Tennessee
who didn''''t serve in the military
like another former Senator from Tennessee
and a former governor from Arkansas.

LOL



GKC99

Fred Thompson avoided the draft the same way Clinton and Gore avoided the draft

Works both ways

LOL

[jwhitmann]

Fred Thompson

Just another former Senator from Tennessee
who didn''''t serve in the military
like another former Senator from Tennessee
and a former governor from Arkansas.

LOL



GKC99

Fred Thompson avoided the draft the same way Clinton and Gore avoided the draft

Works both ways

LOL

[jwhitmann]

Fred Thompson

Just another former Senator from Tennessee
who didn''''t serve in the military
like another former Senator from Tennessee
and a former governor from Arkansas.

LOL



GKC99

Fred Thompson avoided the draft the same way Clinton and Gore avoided the draft

Works both ways

LOL

[jwhitmann]

Fred Thompson

Just another former Senator from Tennessee
who didn''''t serve in the military
like another former Senator from Tennessee
and a former governor from Arkansas.

LOL



GKC99

Fred Thompson avoided the draft the same way Clinton and Gore avoided the draft

Works both ways

LOL

[jwhitmann]

Fred Thompson

Just another former Senator from Tennessee
who didn''''t serve in the military
like another former Senator from Tennessee
and a former governor from Arkansas.

LOL



GKC99

Fred Thompson avoided the draft the same way Clinton and Gore avoided the draft

Works both ways

LOL

[condumism]

Posted by setumstrt9
a dem wins. They want the governement to take over our health care, raise taxes, keep the borders open, and end the war on terror. God help us!!!

GOPig debt now $9 TRILLION, $500 BILLION per year in Iinterset to service this tresonous debt. YOu sound like one of those inbred Southern Fascists, who puts Israel before America. Universal health care works, at half the cost. You Souther GOPigs are so delusional, getting all your propoganda from the Fascist FOX Network, you will never accept this fact! War on the American people is all you GOPigs have to offer the USA.

[infidel_us]

Bet you''ll never see a headline that says, "Hillary Runs To The Left."

If nominated, at least Thompson would probably be able to carry TN - unlike another former TN senator we all know and love.

[setumstrt9]

"Universal health care works, at half the cost. "

If it works so well, go to Canada and try to have a procedure done. It takes about 9 to 12 months. The best run medical division in the US is plastic surgery clinics, and they are completely private. We should take some lessons.

Where do you think the rest of the cost for Universal Healthcare comes from? Your taxes.

And I can''t belive you actually want the government controlling our health care.

[infidel_us]

Gore avoided the draft
Works both ways
Posted by jwhitmann at 10:46 AM : Sep 07, 2007

Gore served in the army during vietnam and he served honorably; I''ll give him that. At least he didn''t come home and accuse his countrymen of ''acts remincent of ''Gingis'' (sic) Kahn'' and throw other people''s ribbons over the white house fence. What a loser. The kind of man who would appeal to the likes of Condomism.

[mike71067]

Bet you''''ll never see a headline that says, "Hillary Runs To The Left."
-Posted by infidel_us at 11:02 AM : Sep 07, 2007

Absolutely true! But remember that this is a Washington Post article, so a disgusting left-wing slant is to be expected.

[mike71067]

I am hoping for a Hillary win in the Democratic primaries. The reason the GOP lost so many seats in ''06 was because their base stayed home. If Hillary receives the DNC nomination, that will reactivate the GOP base like nothing else that has ever taken place in the history of the world.

[forthepeopl1]

A federal judge struck down parts of the revised Patriot Act as unconstitutional Thursday, saying courts must be allowed to supervise cases where the government orders Internet providers to turn over records without telling customers.

U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero said the government orders must be subject to meaningful judicial review and that the recently rewritten Patriot Act "offends the fundamental constitutional principles of checks and balances and separation of powers."

The law had been challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union, which complained that the revised law allowed the Federal Bureau of Investigations to demand records without the kind of court order required for other government searches.

The ACLU said it was improper to issue so-called national security letters, or NSLs -- investigative tools used by the FBI to compel businesses to turn over customer information -- without a judge''s order or grand jury subpoena. Examples of such businesses include Internet service providers, telephone companies and public libraries.

[condumism]

63% of Americans want universal health care. The cost of health care in the USA now is 17% of GNP. Europe, Japan, and Canada have successful universal health care at 8 - 10% of their GNP, with no waits, as the Fascist Reicht wing tries to make US beleive. Until you GOPigs now the facts about universal health care, I suggest you continue to post your ignorance on the matter, because it shows the rest of America what GOPigs are really all about: self-centered swine that intend to pass a national debt of $9 TRILLION on to their inbred offspring. No lower life form on earth than a Southern GOPig.

[mcvet]

Bet you''''''''ll never see a headline that says, "Hillary Runs To The Left."
-Posted by infidel_us at 11:02 AM : Sep 07, 2007

Absolutely true! But remember that this is a Washington Post article, so a disgusting left-wing slant is to be expected.
Posted by mike71067 at 11:08 AM : Sep 07, 2007
+ report abuse

It''s amazing how absolutely stupid you Nazi''s are!! ROFLMAO He was running to the RIGHT of his rivals in the PARTY you pathetic LOSERS!! What that has to do with Hillary or the Democrat Party is NOTHING! I know you are desperate here but come on. By the way who would YOU CLOWNS like to have determine what we hear and see IF we can''t have a free press? Would you like to have a Fairness Policy? Oh that''s right the fascist in congress already took that one off the books... so who would you clowns like to have determine what is or isn''t fair? Should we have a Gestapo Head to watch all the press, like they did in Germany? Oh! How about we allow the King''s men to determine. That''s what you losers wanted when the founders came up with the Free Press wasn''t it? Sieg Heil Grand Wizard!!! ROFLMAO Not a brain amoung them... not one! ROFLMAO

[mcvet]

If nominated, at least Thompson would probably be able to carry TN - unlike another former TN senator we all know and love.
Posted by infidel_us at 11:02 AM : Sep 07, 2007

Yeah right! That''s all we need, another Southern Fascist with the brain power of a worm! I would HOPE the American People are a little smarter NOW that they have seen the MISTAKE they made with the FIRST Senator from Tenn. LOL IF they are so stupid as to elect ANOTHER Klan Member they deserve the hatred the world will no doubt heap on them. Sieg Heil Grand Wizard!!

[mcvet]

I am hoping for a Hillary win in the Democratic primaries. The reason the GOP lost so many seats in ''''06 was because their base stayed home. If Hillary receives the DNC nomination, that will reactivate the GOP base like nothing else that has ever taken place in the history of the world.

Posted by mike71067 at 11:11 AM : Sep 07, 2007

LOL Yep you fascist want your bigotry and division. That''s the only way you can win. You can''t get the sleaze and Religious nut cases out by giving them a POSITIVE reason to vote so you need to create a little hate and build on it... probably telling them that she will stop them from giving to Pat or something!! God were does slime like this come form America. Any FOOL who thinks this kind of GARBAGE is going to give us someone who can GOVERN is out of their minds. We already KNOW the Fascist put out by the "Base" of the present day Republican Party can''t govern so let''s elect MORE of them. Yeah that''ll help!! ROFLMAO You aren''t the sharpest tool in the old shed are you there sparky? ROFLMAO Sieg Heil Bush!!

[mcvet]

Gore served in the army during vietnam and he served honorably; I''''ll give him that. At least he didn''''t come home and accuse his countrymen of ''''acts remincent of ''''Gingis'''' (sic) Kahn'''' and throw other people''''s ribbons over the white house fence. What a loser. The kind of man who would appeal to the likes of Condomism.
Posted by infidel_us at 11:07 AM : Sep 07, 2007

I assume you are referring to John Kerry and his opposition to OUR War. YOU fascist will do just about anything won''t you, even use the bitter and deep divisions between my Generations Veteran''s. He walked into combat, not once but twice, now IF that doesn''t give him the right to tell the people of this nation what he thought about that war, what does. He was ELECTED by Veteran''s to represent them.. you know you nazi, DEMOCRACY. Sieg Heil Bush!! Come on Sparky! Pull out that sheet and Hood there and shout it out, it''ll make you feel good!! SIEG HEIL!! SIEG HEIL... somebody get the cross and rope!! ROFLMAO

[setumstrt9]

Mr. ConDumism,

Will you please post your sources on the "facts" you use in your arguments? I''d like to look at them.

[infidel_us]

Absolutely true! But remember that this is a Washington Post article, so a disgusting left-wing slant is to be expected.
Posted by mike71067 at 11:08 AM : Sep 07, 2007

Yeah, I should have known.

[infidel_us]

Mr. ConDumism,
Will you please post your sources on the "facts" you use in your arguments? I''''d like to look at them.
Posted by setumstrt9 at 11:28 AM : Sep 07, 2007

Mr. Condomism.....that''s funny! :) Facts? They have none. He and MCVet have deprived two villages of their two idiots. They''re still waiting for 40 acres and a mule.

Don''t worry, guys. Hillary and Oprah will get you squared away! LOL

[jwhitmann]

Fred Thompson

Just another former Senator from Tennessee
who didn''''''''t serve in the military
like another former Senator from Tennessee
and a former governor from Arkansas.

LOL



GKC99

Fred Thompson avoided the draft the same way Clinton and Gore avoided the draft

Works both ways

LOL

[jwhitmann]

Fred Thompson

Just another former Senator from Tennessee
who didn''''''''t serve in the military
like another former Senator from Tennessee
and a former governor from Arkansas.

LOL



GKC99

Fred Thompson avoided the draft the same way Clinton and Gore avoided the draft

Works both ways

LOL

[setumstrt9]

infidel_us

That''s why I asked him. They typically just make stuff up to sound smart.

And by the way "jwhitmann" Will you please quit posting things more than once. You sound like an idiot the last time, just like the first.

[gkc99]

"Fred Thompson avoided the draft the same way Clinton and Gore avoided the draft"
Posted by jwhitmann

So how was that, meathead?
Gore did go to Vietnam.

And we all now how the neocon Repugniscum loved to bash Clinton.

So now your Tighty Whitey Righty hero of the moment is another draft dodger like Bill Clinton.

I want the Slime Boaters to give us a detailed breakdown on how Thompson beat the draft, and what his position on the Vietnam war was.

And John Kerry served in perhaps the most dangerous theater in Vietnam, then had the guts to report the war atrocities, as are committed by men under unbearable pressure from their superiors, that were lied about and covered up by a corrupt military power structure. Recently verified by the Pentagon.

[skyk-2009]

Mr. Condomism.....that''''s funny! :) Facts? They have none. He and MCVet have deprived two villages of their two idiots. They''''re still waiting for 40 acres and a mule.

Don''''t worry, guys. Hillary and Oprah will get you squared away! LOL
Posted by infidel_us at 11:32 AM : Sep 07, 2007

I am a Vietnam Vet just like MCVet and although I do not always agree with him, I read his post and frankly he makes a lot of sense. You folks on the right have been running election after election of pure hate... you try to put everyone in a box who doesn''t agree with you and refuse to discuss the obvious points they raise. I remember well coming home during Vietnam and I remember the divisions that existed within our ranks and still do. I too, feel it''s deploriable what the Bush People did during the last election for President. You can continue to spout the same old, tired Garbage if you want but rest assured I am not the only one out here who see''s what MCVet tried to tell you.

[usbrit-2009]

MCVet - At the risk of exposing my lack of bloggish, what does ROFLMAO mean? Keep up the good posts - almost always agree with you.

[lars008-2009]

SYSTEMIC CORRUPTION IN THE DEMONIC-RAT PARTY

FBI arrests 11 NJ officials for bribery
All of them are Democrats.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2007/09/fbi_arrests_11_nj_officials_fo.html
systemic corruption in the Democratic Party
Corruption sting crosses N.J.
12 charged in a widening investigation that began with contracts in an Atlantic County school district.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20070907_Corruption_sting_crosses_N_J_.html
Hillary campaign honcho among 11 busted in N.J. sting
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/wn_report/2007/09/07/2007-09-07_hillary_campaign_honcho_among_11_busted_.html
11 Arrested in N.J. Corruption Inquiry
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/07/nyregion/06corruptCND.html?em&ex=1189310400&en=b504d6c2fbd19cba&ei=5087%0A
Castro''s tip: Clinton-Obama the winning ticket
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN2825114320070829?feedType=RSS&feedName=politicsNews&rpc=22&sp=true
Kathleen Willey: Clintons stole my manuscript
House burglary over weekend targeted copy of book days after details leaked to press
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/staticarticles/article57498.html

[lars008-2009]

IS EUROPE WAKING UP TO FASCIST NAZI TERRORISLAM!!! WILL THE DEMONIC-RATS???

Germany considers increased spying on Muslims
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/19539.html
Swiss expulsion proposal draws criticism
Under the plan, entire families would be expelled if their children are convicted of a violent crime, drug offenses or benefits fraud.
"We believe that parents are responsible for bringing up their children. If they can''t do it properly, they will have to bear the consequences," Ueli Maurer, president of the People''s Party, told The Associated Press.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070901/ap_on_re_eu/switzerland_deportation_campaign
http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article2938940.ece
Netherlands sets plan against extremism
The Dutch government will spend $38 million over the next four years to prevent both the growth of Islamic fundamentalism and right-wing nationalism, an official said Monday.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070827/ap_on_re_eu/netherlands_extremists_1
Germany Wants to Spy on Suspects Via Web
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8RC4F2O1&show_article=1
Straitjackets for illegals
http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_2176422,00.html

[infidel_us]

You can continue to spout the same old, tired Garbage if you want but rest assured I am not the only one out here who see''''s what MCVet tried to tell you.
Posted by skyk at 11:51 AM : Sep 07, 2007

I will. I believe you''re not the only one. You 3 are living proof that there''s a sucker born every minute.

[lars008-2009]

so NOW eddie admits there is terrorislam%u2026 LOL

Edwards Proposing Anti-Terrorism Agency
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070907/D8RGM0R00.html

[lars008-2009]

VOTE FOR JEFFERSON%u2026 VOTE GOP%u2026

dnc are like john adams and want to give the jihadist their lunch money hoping they will leave us alone....

gop are like thomas jefferson and want to spend their lunch money on weapons and go kick the jihadists in their arses.....

What Thomas Jefferson learned from the Muslim book of jihad

Thomas Jefferson knew about fascist nazi islam..... he killed plenty of them....

In 1786 Jefferson and John Adams went to negotiate with Tripoli''s envoy to London, Ambassador Sidi Haji Abdrahaman or (Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja). They asked him by what right he extorted money and took slaves. Jefferson reported to Secretary of State John Jay, and to the Congress:

The ambassador answered us that [the right] was founded on the Laws of the Prophet (Mohammed), that it was written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have answered their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as prisoners, and that every Mussulman who should be slain in battle was sure to go to heaven.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Barbary_War
http://www.usvetdsp.com/jan07/jeff_quran.htm
muslim justifies slavery and piracy%u2026
http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?6bdec278-6a71-4436-bc4d-29d1c54b0ad7

[usawatchman]

I once ask him for HELP,

When CORRUPT GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
were committing CRIMES against me and others...

What did he do for me and other,

NOTHING..!

My IMPRESSION

VOTE for him, VOTE FOR MORE CORRUPT GOVERNMENT

[cfin5]

"Let''s get on with it."------I agree. No time to waste either. I want to be and stay an American, not a crummy socialist beggar!

[kansas1946]

I want the Slime Boaters to give us a detailed breakdown on how Thompson beat the draft, and what his position on the Vietnam war was.

And John Kerry served in perhaps the most dangerous theater in Vietnam, then had the guts to report the war atrocities, as are committed by men under unbearable pressure from their superiors, that were lied about and covered up by a corrupt military power structure. Recently verified by the Pentagon.
Posted by gkc99 at 11:50 AM : Sep 07, 2007
********************************
I loved your post. The current Republican party is the slimiest, most hypocritical, low-life, bunch of creeps that I have ever seen. No one, Democrat or Republican had ever gone as low as they have gone, starting with what the Bush campaign did to John McCain in SC 2000. I think YOU should run for president!