I Like Fred Thompson
I enjoyed watching Chris Wallace’s recent interview with Fred Thompson — and I share Thompson’s bewilderment at Fox’s nitpicking negativity, so far, about his budding campaign.
In general, I agree with Matthew Dallman’s assessment of Thompson; he feels to me like the most presidential and even-minded of the candidates.
While I could support Giuliani, something about him often strikes me as … dark and edgy. Maybe I just don’t have enough East Coast in me to take to him right away.
Thompson is the first (and, so far, only) leading candidate reminding us that social security still needs reform, and soon. That shows me he is a man unafraid to deliver important news even though it’s politically unpopular.
Although I disagree with Thompson that abortion constitutes the “taking of a life” in any legally meaningful sense — to me it’s more like taking the life of a fish than of a human — I do agree with him that Roe v. Wade should be overturned so that decisions about the legality of various abortion procedures can be made at the local rather than federal level.
My own position is that abortion is a subject about which reasonable people can disagree, with no end in sight. So why should such a truly gray-area subject — I mean, when does human life start for those of us who don’t think it’s at conception? — be subject to such absolute rule at the federal level.
With the possible exception of his position on immigration — seems to me immigration should be fast, easy, and well-documented — I definitely like Thompson’s list of principles.
“Dissolution of the IRS as we know it”? Count me in. “Free market solutions” to problems in the health care industry? Love it.
But what I like best about Thompson is his explicit, repeated, and principled emphasis on the importance of federalism. Ultimately, that’s why I can agree with him on Roe v. Wade while disagreeing with him about abortion.
Federalism is a beautiful thing, and I’m glad to see a major presidential candidate pushing the subject so strongly.
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)
——————————————————————————–
Saving and Protecting Social Security
A Plan to Ensure Retirement Security for All Americans
http://www.fred08.com/virtual/socialsecurity.aspx
My favorite thing about Thomspon is that he appears to have been drafted for the run at the presidency. What I’m getting at here is this: I can’t stand how much Hillary Clinton wants to be president. I find it ugly and disconcerting.
Fred Thompson: The Choice of Most Conservative Bloggers
From Jay at Stop the ACLU:
“In blogger poll, after blogger poll it has been Fred Thompson hands down, despite the efforts of Ron Paul bots. Most conservative bloggers I know have either came out and endorsed him, or are rooting from him. Below are just a handful.
John Hawkins of Rightwing News, Erick Erickson of RedState.Com, Pejman of RedState, Eugene Volokh of Volokh’s Conspiracy, Polipundit of Polipundit, Ala from Blonde Sagacity, Beth at My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy, Kender at Kender’s Musings, Gribbit at Gribbit’s Word, Bill Quick of Daily Pundit, Misha of Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiller, Bob Krumm, Brandon at Conservative Superiority, Curt at Flopping Aces, Darrell of Alpha Patriot, Jimmie of the Sundries Shack, Justin Higgins of Right on the Right, Kim du Toit, MacRanger of Macsmind, Rick Moran of Right Wing Nuthouse, Mike Hendrix of Cold Fury, Rob Port of Say Anything, Stix of Stix Blog, TraderRob of Opinipundit, William Dyer of Beldar Blog, Nate of Irate-Nation, William Teach of Pirate’s Cove, Kate of Ol Broad, Steve of Pencilnub, and though he is getting doubts…Ace of Ace of Spades. Plus many more.
With so many bloggers behind Thompson, and the trend of polls in Iowa, it makes one wonder if Iowa conservatives even read blogs.
With the Huckaboom hitting a wall called Rush Limbaugh, and the latest poll showing an up-climb, its far from time to give up on Fred.
I’m sure I missed other bloggers that are behind Fred. If I missed you, let me know in the comments with your name and blog url and I’ll add you.
More: Steve of No Runny Eggs, KT Cat, Neil of Eternity Matters, Eric at Pool Bar, Martin at Conservative Blog Therapy, Arclightzero of Pro Patria, and Jim at Bright and Early.
And…More: Rightwing Rocker, Brain Shavings, Musings of a Political Wonk, Simple Country Girl, and Good Boy’s Nation…oh! And Frank J. and all the guys at IMAO!”