22
Jan
Thompson Campaign Never Got Off the Ground
Several months ago I endorsed Fred Thompson for president because he has the most conservative voting record of all the candidates and I felt he had the best chance of beating Hillary Clinton in November.
Thompson’s poor performance in all the primary states thus far can be traced to a campaign strategy bordering on buffoonery and Fred’s laid back campaign style (which worked for him in Tennessee, but did not play well with a national campaign).
He is clearly right on the issues as demonstrated by his outstanding performance (and victory) in the South Carolina debate. That alone enabled him to pass Romney for third place in the South Carolina primary after trailing Romney in most polls by 8 points just a week before the primary. But Thompson should have been doing what he did in South Carolina six months ago. I thought it was good strategy for him to enter the race late, but once he entered he seemed uninterested to too many voters.
The good news is that Thompson’s name is being mentioned by some of the candidates as possible vice presidential material. He reportedly has already been offered his choice of attorney general or Secretary of Defense by McCain, Huckabee and Romney.
Thompson is right on the issues and he’s the only true Reagan conservative of the lot. Now, everyone wonders who Thompson supporters will turn too. I don’t like any of the choices (I wish Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana would run), but I expect Thompson, personally, to throw his support to his long-time buddy John McCain. McCain’s economic policy scares me and he, like Huckabee, is wrong on immigration.
America is about to hang a big “left” politically. Guard your billfolds and get ready to ratchet-up the moral concerns political machine. Conservatives are in for a tough four years.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:18 pm
[…] Captain’s Quarters wrote an interesting post today on Thompson Campaign Never Got Off the GroundHere’s a quick excerpt…he has the most conservative voting record of all the candidates and I felt he had the best chance of beating Hillary Clinton in November. […]
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:25 pm
[…] Volunteer Voters wrote an interesting post today on Thompson Campaign Never Got Off the GroundHere’s a quick excerptSeveral months ago I endorsed Fred Thompson for president because he has the most conservative voting record of all the candidates and I felt he had […]
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:25 pm
You forgot about Ron Paul. He\’s the one that Fred Thompson mimics, but Dr. Paul actually votes the way he talks.
I\’ll probably regret this, but why no mention of Dr. Paul?
Thanks,
Russ J.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Russ,
I think most voters view Paul as a libertarian, not a conservative. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
DH
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:27 pm
[…] The Hill’s Pundit Blog wrote an interesting post today on Thompson Campaign Never Got Off the GroundHere’s a quick excerptMike Pence of Indiana would run), but I expect Thompson, personally, to throw his support to his long-time buddy John McCain. […]
January 23rd, 2008 at 9:23 am
Don,
Sorry about my sarcastic tone above.
You raise and interesting point. Dr. Paul is more libertarian than most current “conservatives”, but is he more libertarian than the traditional conservative platform? Personally, I would say no. His stance on almost everything is as conservative as it gets, except perhaps his belief that certain social/personal issues are not issues where the Federal Government has any authority.
Thanks for your response.
Russ
January 24th, 2008 at 1:12 am
I wouldn’t want to rub in it when a fella’s RPH calls it quits; but I’m pretty happy that one of the quasi-moralists is gone.
Now you just turn around and look behind you into that picture (didn’t you bequeath that to me once upon a time?) …look into his eyes and ask yourself one last time if Fred Thompson is his heir.
I think Thompson has more in common with John Danforth than Ronald Reagan. But I’ll soon be joining you in the dooldrums when Huckabee announces on February 6 he’s ending his bid.