Fred on Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer-- video

From 12-30-07

Fred: "I need to come in second"

Evidently Fred and his internal pollster know something the media isn't reporting, because today Fred said he needed to come in second in Iowa. I don't think Fred would say that without confidence that he could make it happen. The Huckabust may be happening faster than we know!

From CBS:

AMES, IOWA -- Saying he plans to make no changes to his campaign, Fred Thompson asserted today that he needs a strong finish in Iowa caucuses. “I need to come in second,” he said. “We’re going to continue to see a lot of people between now and then.”

To finish second in Iowa, Thompson has a lot of ground to make up. While Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee are both polling in the 27 to 28 percent range, Thompson is neck and neck with John McCain at around 11 percent. When asked if he would stay in the race if he finished third, he said “I’m not going to talk about things like that.”

He did talk about the consistency of his presidential run. “Let the political world swirl around me and let everyone run their attack ads and spend their money and spin their wheels and all that,” he said. “But I’m going to be the same. It’s worked for me pretty well in my career, being Fred, and I’m going to continue to be Fred.”

Fred on FOX News Sunday-- video

Fred Thompson talks to Iowa voters-- new video

Easy like Sunday Morning

Dadgum church made me miss both FOX News Sunday and Late Edition this morning. I'm looking for video, so if anybody can help me out...

The transcript is up from FOX News Sunday, though, and it looks like Fred is really hitting his stride at the right time. I like how he doesn't take any crap from Chris Wallace, and refuses to play the gotcha games. After reading the transcript, I got the feeling Fred was prepared for whatever was thrown at him, including Wallace's attempt to further the "lazy" meme by reporting Fred's attendance record as a member of a China commission he served on voluntarily after he retired from the Senate. He also got in some free shots at Huckabee and Romney, which always makes me feel warm inside.

Fred calls Bullsh*t on USA Today

Fred took to the Blogosphere yesterday, and the cable news waves today to call bullsh*t on a USA Today article that said he didn't want to be President. Here's the entirety of what he cross-posted at FreFiles and RedState yesterday:

Every once in a while I am more thankful than ever for today’s technology which allows me to talk to you directly instead of having to go through the filter of the main stream media.

Some of them are intent on making the outcome of the campaign dependent upon their pre-conceived notions. Every once in a while their incomplete and slanted coverage makes this clear.

Today I had this story written about me regarding what I said at a Town Hall event in Burlington, Iowa by a reporter who wasn’t even at the event. Incidentally, I declined to be interviewed by this particular reporter yesterday for reasons which will soon be apparent.

In referring to me, she reported “he doesn’t like modern campaigning, isn’t interested in running for President, and will not be devastated” if he doesn’t win.

The following is a transcript of what I actually said in response to a question by a local Burlington resident which was the basis of the reporter’s story:

[THIS IS A BEST-EFFORT TRANSCRIPT OF THE SPECIFIC QUESTION AND ANSWER]
Q: My only problem with you and why I haven’t thrown all my support behind you is that I don’t know if you have the desire to be President. If I caucus for you next week, are you still going to be there two months from now?

…In the first place I got in the race about the time people normally get into it historically. The fact of the matter is that others started the process a lot earlier this time than they normally do. I think it was for some of them when they were juniors in high school.

APPLAUSE

That is a very good question, not because it’s difficult to answer, because, but I’m gonna answer it in a little different way than what you might expect.

In the first place, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t. I wouldn’t be doing this if i didn’t. I grew up very modest circumstances. I left government, I and my family have made sacrifices for me to be sitting here today. I haven’t had any income for a long time because I’m doing this. I figure that to be clean you’ve got to cut everything off. And I was doing speaking engagements and I had a contract to do a tv show, I had a contract with abc radio like I was talking about earlier and so forth. I guess a man would have to be a total fool to do all those things and to be leaving his family which is not a joyful thing at all if he didn’t want to do it.

But I am not consumed by personal ambition. I will not be devastated if I don’t do it. I want the people to have the best president that they can have.

When this talk first started, it didn’t originate with me. There were a lot of people around the country both directly and through polls, liked the idea of me stepping up. And of course, you always look better at a distance, I guess.

But most of those people are still there and think its a good idea. But I approached it from the standpoint of a deal. A kind of a marriage. If one side of a marriage has to be really talked into the marriage, it probably ain’t going to be a very good deal for either one of them. But if you mutually think that this is a good thing. In this case, if you think this is a good thing for the country, then you have an opportunity to do some wonderful things together.

I’m offering myself up. I’m saying that I have the background, the capability, and the concern to do this and I’m doing it for the right reasons. But I’m not particularly interested in running for president, but I think I’d make a good president.

Nowadays, the process has become much more important than it used to be.

I don’t know that they ever asked George Washington a question like this. I don’t know that they ever asked Dwight D. Eisenhower a question like this. But nowadays, it’s all about fire in the belly. I’m not sure in the world we live in today it’s a terribly good thing if a president has too much fire in the belly. I approach life differently than a lot of people. People, I guess, wonder how I’ve been as successful as I’ve been in everything I’ve done. I won two races in TN by 20 point margins, a state that Bill Clinton carried twice. I’d never run for office before. I’ve never had an acting lesson and I guess that’s obvious by people who’ve watched me. But when they made a movie about a case that I had when I took on a corrupt state administration as a lawyer and beat them before a jury. They made a movie about it and I wound up playing myself in the movie and yeah I can do that.

And when I did it, I did it. Wasn’t just a lark. Anything that’s worth doing is worth doing well. But I’ve always been a little bit more laid back than most. I like to say that I’m only consumed by very, very few things and politics is not one of them. The welfare of our country and our kids and grandkids is one of them.

If people really want in their president a super type-a personality, someone who has gotten up every morning and gone to bed every night and been thinking about for years how they could achieve the Presidency of the United States, someone who can look you straight in the eye and say they enjoy every minute of campaigning, I ain’t that guy. So I hope I’ve discussed that and hope I haven’t talked you out of anything. I honestly want - I can’t imagine a worse set of circumstances than achieving the presidency under false pretenses. I go out of my way to be myself because I don’t want anybody to think they are getting something they are not getting. I’m not consumed by this process I’m not consumed with the notion of being President. I’m simply saying I’m willing to do what’s necessary to achieve it if I’m in sync with the people and if the people want me or somebody like me. I’ll do what I’ve always done in the rest of my life and I will take it on and do a good job and you’ll have the disadvantage of having someone who probably can’t jump up and click their heels three times but will tell you the truth and you’ll know where the President stands at all times.

It is clear that there are those in the media who will exact a high price for candor and from those whom they consider to be insufficiently ambitious. But it is with increasing amazement that we see that those who are willing to slant or leave out important parts of a story to make their point.

If a candidate succumbs to this he will be reduced to nothing more than a sound bite machine.

As for me I am going to continue to say exactly what is in my heart and is on my mind and give straight and honest answers to those who ask straight and honest questions.

Incidentally, the audience in Burlington broke into applause in the middle of my answer. The reporter wouldn’t know that because she wasn’t even there.

Fred to be on Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer today

From Fred Files:

Fred will be on Fox News Sunday then CNN’s Late Edition. Check local listings so you don’t miss these important interviews before the Iowa Caucuses.

Fred Thompson in Pella, IA-- video of Radio Town Hall Meeting

Fred on Kudlow & Co-- video

Fred Thompson on 12/28/07.

Fred picks up another Iowa endorsement

Today Iowa State Representative Gary Worthan announced his support of Fred Thompson for President of the United States. Representative Worthan joins a strong Thompson organization in Iowa already in place and headed by Iowa State Chair Congressman Steve King and Co-Chairs Representative Kraig Paulsen and Representative Sandy Greiner.

"I've been impressed with Fred's ability to boil the issues down to the essential items, without a lot of hyperbole," stated Representative Worthan. "He just plain tells the truth. We're in a long hard struggle and there are no easy answers like some of the other candidates are coming with."

More...

Fred reaches his goal

An email from Fred:

Dear [super awesome blogger],

I want to thank you for your contribution as part of my online "Red Truck Challenge". Because of your generous support, we surpassed our goal and we are up on the air in Iowa. Your generosity and support have made our success in this campaign possible, and for that I am grateful.

As we roll toward the start of caucus voting next Thursday, I am encouraged knowing that I have folks like you in GA carrying my message to your friends and neighbors. I'm also encouraged by the support that we are gaining on the ground, one by one. The people of Iowa are recognizing that I am the consistent conservative in this race, the candidate that they can count on when the chips are down.

Thank you again for giving so generously of your time and resources. I am fortunate to have you on my team. I'm looking forward to a strong finish on Thursday and a strong push through the rest of the primaries and onto the nomination.

Happy New Year

Fred Thompson

Fred to be on FOX News Sunday

Fred is headed back to the show where he first got lots of people's attention:

Our exclusive guest this week is Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson, former Tennessee senator. Plus, The Des Moines Register's David Yepsen joins us.

We're just days away from the first-in-the-nation caucuses in Iowa where voters will begin choosing their party's nominees for president. The race is getting tighter as each candidate makes a final push to win the Hawkeye state's caucuses. Fred Thompson made a late entry into the field and started with high numbers. Now he's scrambling for a good showing with the hopes of gaining some much needed momentum. How does he plan to make it happen? We'll speak exclusively with the former Tennessee Senator from the campaign trail.

Video of Fred on the bus today

Fred knows we'll come through-- starts airing ad today

Fred Thompson's new ad "Substance" has already started airing in Iowa, which means we really, really have to fill the truck up now!

Video of Fred on Hannity & Colmes last night

Rich Lowry was in for Hannity last night, so he and the Crypt Keeper interviewed Fred Thompson, mostly about the Bhutto assassination. Once again, Fred makes Alan look like a hack.

Also, he manages to get in a good shot at Huckabee!

Help Fred get back on TV

Okay, the red truck has about $150,000 in the bed, which means it needs almost $100,000 more by 6pm today. I've asked nicely; I told you to donate for my birthday; now I'm going to try shame and fear motivation:

If you don't give money to Fred, Mike Huckabee could be the new face of the Republican Party. The general election could be between Huckster and Hillary (which reminds me of a South Park episode). Also, if you don't give Fred money, he's going to get ill. He might get mad enough to leave the country, which would drop the nation's average intellect and toughness to just below Denmark's. Don't let that happen:

Fred talks further about Bhutto's assassination on CNN-- video

Fred talks foreign policy in Iowa-- video

About 25 minutes of Fred Thompson shot at his Iowa headquarters on 12/27/07:

Huckster apologizes for Bhutto assassination-- is he responsible???

Unfortunately, only the second half of that headline is a joke. From CBS:

ORLANDO, FLA. -- With about 150 supporters crowded around a podium set up on the tarmac of Orlando Executive airport (and about 20 Ron Paul supporters waving signs outside) Mike Huckabee strode out to the strains of “Right Now” by Van Halen and immediately addressed the Bhutto situation, expressing “our sincere concern and apologies for what has happened in Pakistan.”

He said the assassination is a reminder that here in the US, we are lucky to vote “not with bullets but with ballots,” and said “I guess we are sometimes lulled into failing to appreciate the magnitude” of the democratic process.

Seriously??? Apologies? On behalf of whom? This sure sounds like the knee-jerk "blame America first" crap we get from the left...

Fred Thompson talks to FOX News about Bhutto assassination-- video

Fred talks about Bhutto assassination

DES MOINES, Iowa — The assassination of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto "has created chaos" and emphasizes the need for a president with foreign policy experience, Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson said today.

"It's an indication of the kind of world we live in," Thompson said during a visit to his Iowa campaign headquarters. "It's a complicated world. It's a dangerous world."

"This is not a criminal investigation," Thompson said of efforts to find those responsible for the attack. "This is a war."

"It is going to require resolve. It is going to require unity. It is going to require toughness," he said.

Thompson made the foreign policy experience he gained while a U.S. senator from Tennessee the focal point of his final Iowa push before the state's Jan. 3 caucuses.

Source

I've never bursted before

But here goes:

Rick Moran of Right Wing Nuthouse is asking bloggers to ask for money for Fred today. Of course, I do that almost everyday, but I didn't want to get left out! As of 10:45am EST, Fred has raised over $75,000 of the almost $250,000 he needs by Friday night to get back on the air in Iowa. So help out the next President with whatever you can.

Oh, and today's my birthday! I would like nothing more than for you to give Fred a few bucks...

Iowa's Ottumwa Courier endorses Fred

Fred Thompson is the unlikely candidate. Perfectly content with his status as a former senator and Hollywood actor, Thompson says he happy in his private life.

But despite the pitfalls of the rough and tumble world of politics, the Republican says Washington, D.C. needs a “consistent” conservative to lead the United States into a new direction.

Thompson is unapologetic on his views and is a straight-shooter.

“These are clearly challenging times. I don’t think we’ve fully come to terms with the kind of world we live in,” he told members of the Courier editorial board recently.

Indeed, Thompson believes work must continue in Iraq despite growing concerns American troops should return home.

We have to “finish what we’re doing,” he said, adding the United States must continue the fight there and in Afghanistan.

Thompson said the United States can no longer ignore the instability in Afghanistan and in nearby Pakistan because of issues ranging from the Taliban to the country’s economic dependence on the opium trade.

When it comes to domestic issues, Thompson again admits there are no simple answers.

On energy concerns, he believes in “a balanced approach to energy security that increases domestic supplies, reduces demand for oil and gas, and promotes alternative fuels and other diverse energy sources.”

He also seeks “an energy policy that invests in the advanced technologies of tomorrow and places more emphasis on conservation and energy efficiency.”

Full article here.

Fred takes on Hillary

"Who are we going to set on the road — what man are we going to set on the road — to lead us and to stand against this assault?" he asked, emphasizing the word 'man.' He couched his comments by saying "I say the word man advisedly. Now I've got a daughter that's going to be president some day, I know it, and I am all for a woman president, just not this year, not next year."

Without saying Clinton's name, he added: "There is no woman on the horizon that ought to be president next year, let's all agree on that."

Source

Email from Fred-- give him some money!

Dear [super awesome blogger],

In just a few minutes I will be heading to the airport to fly out to Iowa for the final sprint before the January 3rd Caucuses.

I am writing today because now, more than ever, I need your help.

The first leg of our Iowa bus tour last week was phenomenal. We visited with voters in 21 cities and towns and did 21 events all across the state. Everywhere we went we were greeted by enthusiastic crowds of Iowans who are looking for a consistent conservative leader who will tell it like it is.

It's working: Just last Friday a new Strategic Vision poll showed me moving into a strong third at 16%.

We are poised for the great showing we want!

Just last week I picked up the endorsement of Congressman Steve King. He has been a champion in the fight to end illegal immigration, and I am pleased that he has joined our team. He's been with me on the bus and the great reception we've received on the tour has really put a jolt into this race.

This is where you come in.

I have a terrific new TV spot. You can see it now at Fred08.com. Take a look, and forward this message on to 10 of your friends.

I need your help to put it on the air. We need to put $248,846 in the bank before 6 PM EST on Friday, December 28th to do it.

Can you help me by making a contribution today? I know I've asked a lot, and you've done a lot, but this is critical to our success. Help me make history.

The Clear Conservative Choice: Hands Down bus tour will run from today to caucus day. We have a terrific ground game in place.

All we need is air cover--which the spot on our website will provide.

This ad will help me let the people of Iowa know that my plans for this country are the best that have been presented. It will help me make the case that not only am I the only reliable, consistent conservative in this race, but that I have the experience and the vision to lead our Party and our nation through difficult times.

I've always shot straight with you, now's no different. I need your help. Can I count on you?

Sincerely,

Fred Thompson

Fred's new TV ad: Substance

Fred's trying to raise some money to run the ad in Iowa, so help the man out:

Give Fred a Christmas gift!

Iowa House Republican Whip endorses Fred-- video

Another Romney Flip-Flop: CFR

According to an article in today's Weekly Standard, advisers to Mitt Romney have been attacking Fred Thompson on campaign finance reform. This is ironic given Mitt Romney's past support for publically financed elections, campaign spending limits, and abolishing political action committees.

Details here...

Fred's Christmas message

I, for one, and much happier with this than I would be of Fred in a red sweater acting goofy.

Video- Fred Thompson stumps in Council Bluffs

I've seen a lot of comments from people wanting to see Fred Thompson's whole stump speech. Well, here you go:

Thank you Mitt Romney, for explaining the definition of "saw"

Without slimy politicians, we wouldn't know what "saw" or "is" mean....

Of course, in 1978, he said HE was there marching with the father and Martin Luther King!

Fire Chief agrees: Roger Simon is a hack

Okay, maybe he didn't say that exactly, but today there's this from Pajamas Media:

Unlike Simon’s characterization of a “sour” Thompson, [Fire Chief] McKenzie recalled that the firefighters were joking with the Thompsons during the visit, which corroborates the CBS News video that captured part of the event. He stated further than any attempt to portray the event as Simon described was the work of “someone who had their own agenda.”

Unprompted, McKenzie stated that he was well aware of the dangers of politicians wearing hats, and he and his fellow firefighters understood why Thompson declined to wear the helmet. He also stated that he understood that someone might want to make an issue of Thompson wearing his helmet, and that it seemed that when Thompson declined, “someone decided to make an issue out of it anyway.”

Chief McKenzie concluded that the Waverly firemen was very appreciative of Thompson’s visit, as they would be of any presidential candidate that took the time to stop by.

Fred thanks FredHeads

Fred Thompson thanks the FredHeads, and manages to get in digs at the Des Moines Register debate and Roger Simon in the same sentence! That kind of skill needs to be rewarded with a little campaign cash:

Tanc's campaign manager endorses Fred

Jonathan Martin at the Politico:

Tom Tancredo may have gotten behind Mitt Romney yesterday, but the Tanc's top guy on the ground in Iowa will help out Fred.

A retired Marine and active farmer, Bill Salier had served as Tancredo's Iowa state chair. He's a true believing social conservative who ran an uphill race in the '02 GOP Senate primrary that raised some eyebrows.

In short: he's the sort of worker bee a campaign likes to have on its side. If Salier puts his shoulder to the wheel for Fred, he could be a major asset.

And here's a video of the endorsement:

Va Society for Human Life endorses Fred

Today Fred Thompson received the endorsement of the Virginia Society for Human Life, the oldest right to life organization in the country and the state's affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee. This represents the ninth state right to life organization that has followed the lead of the National Right to Life Committee in endorsing Senator Thompson for President.

"Fred Thompson is a stellar candidate for President of the United States," said VSHL President Brenda Fastabend. "Fred Thompson's one hundred percent pro-life voting record compiled during his eight years of service in the U.S. Senate, speaks volumes for his integrity and statesmanship. In the eyes of Virginians who care about the dignity and sanctity of human life and the most basic freedom upon which our nation was founded , the right to life, Fred Thompson is a leader of great promise for the office of president."

More...

Fred announces Nevada Leadership

Today the Fred Thompson campaign announced its State Co-Chairs and statewide leadership in Nevada. State Senator Bob Beers and State Senator Barbara Cegayske will serve as Nevada Co-Chairs.

Nevada Senator Bob Beers has spent the last eight years representing Nevada. First elected to the Nevada Assembly in 1998, Beers was elected to the State Senate in 2004. A former Republican candidate for Governor of Nevada, Beers has spent his entire public career fighting for lower taxes.

"I am honored to serve as State Co-Chair of Senator Thompson's Nevada campaign," said State Senator Beers. "A strong consistent conservative, Fred Thompson understands the importance of lower taxes and smaller government in ensuring our long term prosperity."

More...

Rep. King campaigns with Fred

From the DMR:

Fred Thompson has been accused of not being passionate enough in his bid for the Republican nomination for president. Rep. Steve King of Iowa, who joined the Thompson campaign bus tour on Thursday, will never face that charge.

The outspoken King, one of the loudest critics in Congress of illegal immigration, provided a fiery vanguard for Thompson's campaign, giving stirring introductions for the candidate and escorting him around King's northwest Iowa congressional district.
Advertisement

On the same day that King joined Thompson on the road, however, another prominent GOP House member well known for his strident stand on immigration, Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado, dropped out of the race and endorsed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

King praised Tancredo for thrusting the immigration issue into the race, but said, "he and I disagree on who will carry that ball" from here.

He said Thompson would enforce the rule of law. "I don't have that confidence in any of the other candidates," King said.

Is Roger Simon telling the truth about Fred Thompson? (video)

Roger Simon went up with an article about Fred Thompson yesterday subtitled "Lazy as Charged." Simon wrote the article after following Fred around for a few hours. Those few hours included a closed-door meeting with an unabashedly anti-Fred newspaper editor and a visit to a small fire department. Simon, whose feelings were apparently hurt when he was shut out of the meeting at the newspaper, filed this report afterward.

The article was front page material yesterday, but was really hard to find by this morning. It could have something to do with the avalanche of criticism the article has received (my favorites here and here).

So was Roger Simon right about Fred? Let's go to the video evidence combined with Simon's words:


So, yeah, Roger Simon is a hack. A hack who, I'm guessing, will not be following Fred Thompson around anytime soon if he knows what's good for him.


UPDATE FROM IOWA:

When asked at the Journal about the critical story, Thompson said nothing, read part of it and slid it under his hat on the table. His wife, on the other hand, seemed irritated and said she had a bone to pick with the publication, that the campaign opted out of the town tour to protect people from slipping on the ice and that the article was the only bad press her husband had received while in Iowa.

Uh-oh. Now Roger's pissed off Fred AND Jeri. I would not want to be Roger...

Fred on the road: Day 4

Included: Bonus Law & Order joke.

Huck & Fred split Baptist support; Huck bitter

From Robert Novak:

WHEN Mike Huckabee went to Houston Tuesday to raise funds for his fast-rising, money-starved candidacy, a luncheon for the ordained Baptist minister was arranged by evangelical Christians. On hand was Judge Paul Pressler, a hero to Southern Baptist Convention reformers. But he was a non-paying guest who supports Fred Thompson for president.

On Oct. 26, The Wall Street Journal's John Fund quoted Pressler as saying: "I know of no conservative he appointed while he headed the Arkansas Baptist Convention." In their California encounter the next week, Huckabee jumped Pressler with bitter complaints. Soon thereafter, in an interview with The New York Times, Huckabee showed irritation that prestigious Southern Baptist leader Richard Land hadn't endorsed him. "Land swoons for Fred Thompson," he said, though Land as a policy endorses nobody. Huckabee seems to believe everyone in the Southern Baptist Convention is obliged to support him: "If my own abandon me on the battlefield, it will have a chilling effect."

Huckabee's jumping Pressler two months ago didn't deter the judge from telling me this week much the same thing he'd said to Fund: "I don't know of conservative appointments he made and I don't know of any contribution to the conservatives." After Huckabee's warm greeting in Houston, however, Pressler told me: "I would never do anything to hurt him." He didn't go so far as endorsing Huckabee for president, and that sends a strong message to conservative evangelicals.

I've heard the criticism from a few that Fred acts like he wants the Presidency given to him, but here we have Huckabee whining because the Southern Baptist (like me) don't all come running with endorsements, money, and support just because he's a Southern Baptist preacher (who won't release the texts of his sermons).

Re: Roger Simon's hit piece on Fred today

I won't even try to duplicate the fine work done by Stop the ACLU on this matter.

Frank J of IMAO endorses Fred

Frank J from IMAO (home of daily Fred Thompson facts) has apparently made a decision about his presidential endorsement:

With a Fred Thompson presidency, I expect terrorists to become extinct within a year. Many bros will be tased, and hippies will be driven underground where they will eventually evolve into hideous creatures like the Morlocks (but not as hard working). America's economy will sky rocket all at the expense of foreign countries who will become so poor they'll all compete on who can grow us green onions the cheapest. Though Fred Thompson will not improve America's image abroad, other countries will suck so much in comparison to us that we'll care even less about their opinions.

As Fred's campaign has said, "Frank J's reasoning is impeccable."

PJM: Tancredo to endorse Fred?

Richard Miniter:

Will Tancredo endorse Thompson and shake up the race in Iowa? Tancredo loathes Mike Huckabee, the putative front-runner in Iowa, and has fought bitterly against Senator John McCain on immigration and other issues. As for Rudy Guiliani, Tancredo and the former New York mayor are far apart on immigration and social issues.

By process of elimination, it seems likely that Tancredo will follow the lead of his friend, Congressman Steve King, and endorse Fred Thompson

Fred Thompson: Not much of a break dancer

The AP strikes again, this time wanting to know common misconceptions about the candidates:

REPUBLICANS:

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's campaign: "That he's too serious."

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee: No answer.

Arizona Sen. John McCain (grinning): "I think there are many, starting with my good looks, winning personality, the fact that I have never lost my temper. Frankly, I think there's been enough visibility in all these years in public office that Americans have me pretty well figured out, both failings as well as virtues."

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney: "It probably relates to the issue you raised the other day that I changed positions on a number of issues. And that is just not an accurate characterization."

Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson's campaign: "Really not much of a break dancer."

Evans-Novak Report predicts Fred Iowa surge

From today's Evans-Novak Political Report:

Thompson has far more upside potential than any other Republican, and he is spending the entire final stretch in the Hawkeye State. Thompson has perhaps the most broadly conservative record of any candidate besides the three congressmen (see below). Many conservative Iowans currently settling for Romney, Giuliani or Huckabee (or planning a protest vote of sorts for one of the congressmen) could certainly jump on board with Thompson. If he defies his reputation as a lazy worker, he could make a spectacular surge here.

The most likely result at this point appears to be a slight Thompson surge at Huckabee's expense, leaving Romney in first place and either Thompson or Huckabee in second.

Fred understands free markets

From the Iowa City Press-Citizen:

Lyndsay Harshman, 24 and a second-year medical student at the University of Iowa, said she liked Thompson’s approach to many things, including health care.

Thompson said Wednesday that, historically, the nation has solved its market problems by opening industry up to competition. The health care industry is no different, he said, and people should be able to purchase health care outside of state plans and employers.

The current costs of health insurance are the result of a “government, top-down program,” Thompson said.

“Competition makes for a better product and it makes for a cheaper product,” he said.

Harshman said that answer was enough to make her want to caucus for Thompson.

“I appreciate his approach on health care,” she said. “I feel like the future of health care is in competition and not in social health care.”

Fred on the road, day 3 from Iowa

Fred announces Iowa leadership team

Today the Fred Thompson campaign announced its Iowa State Chair and members of its Statewide Legislative Leadership Team. The team is made up of leading conservative legislators from around the state. U.S. Congressman Steve King, representing Iowa's 5th District, will serve as State Chairman of Thompson's Iowa campaign. State Representative Kraig Paulsen and State Representative Sandy Greiner will serve as State Co-Chairs.

"I compared each of the Republican candidates, and after careful consideration, I support Fred Thompson as America's next President," said Congressman King. "Fred Thompson has the sound judgment to appoint our nation's next Supreme Court justices, who will make important rulings that affect the destiny of America. I trust Fred to rebuild our national sovereignty by securing the border and restoring the central pillar of American exceptionalism - the rule of law."

More...

Fred gets North Carolina Right to Life endorsement

Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson continues to accumulate the support of pro-life groups as he tries to rebuild his campaign in Iowa and capture the GOP nod for 2008. North Carolina Right to Life is the latest pro-life group to hop aboard the Thompson bandwagon and says the former senator is strongly pro-life.

The organization joins its sister group in South Carolina, site of one of the early presidential battlegrounds, in backing the former actor and attorney.

“By endorsing Fred Thompson for President, North Carolina Right to Life PAC wants all North Carolinians to know Senator Thompson’s long-standing pro-life record," Barbara Holt, the president of the group, told LifeNews.com.

Holt cites Thompson's "unwavering commitment to protecting unborn children from abortion, and our belief in his ability to win" as other reasons to back his presidential bid.

“As President, Fred Thompson will be a strong advocate for life at all stages," Holt told LifeNews.com.

Source

Is Fred reading my mind or my blog?

Yesterday in my shocking endorsement of Fred Thompson for President, I said:

To my mind, Fred and McCain are the only two viable candidates on national security issues, but McCain (like Pejman says) has a big-government history.

And now Fred from this morning's Des Moines Register:

Manchester, Ia. - Most of the top Republican candidates for president don't have the foreign policy experience to handle the dangers the United States faces, Fred Thompson told Gannett News Service Tuesday.

"The fact of the matter is that among the so-called top candidates, John McCain is the only one with any experience in these areas," Thompson said in an interview.

"I'm not sure where some of these other guys are. When I read that Mr. Huckabee believes that if we played nice with other people they'd like us, (that) causes me to consider whether he understands the world that we live in."

Video of Fred on Hannity & Colmes

Here's the video of Fred Thompson on H&C last night.

David Brody sees a difference in Fred

From David Brody's column today:

I write this Tuesday night from Waterloo, Iowa and I just finished attending a Fred Thompson campaign event. Folks, this is a very different Fred Thompson I saw compared to his rollout in September.

The expectations are gone. The slow start is a distant memory. It has been replaced by a much more crisp, energetic, focused stump speech. The crowd seemed more engaged and rowdy and Thompson had the enthusiasm to match.

He comes out at the beginning of the event an starts cracking jokes like this one:

“It was getting so cold in Washington that the politicians have their hands in their own pockets.”

This is kind of scary. I've lost count of the number of "Fred could come back" and "Fred has fire in the belly now" articles I've seen since the Des Moines Register "I'm not doing hand shows" debate. If the media aren't careful, folks are going to quit believing Fred is lazy!

I just saw Fred on Hannity & Colmes, and...

Another solid performance by Fred Thompson. My two favorite lines were both said to Alan Colmes (as best I can remember them):

"I'm not raising my hand until Chief Justice John Roberts swears me in."

"You're not listening very closely, Alan.... I said they're already enriching uranium."

Fred on Hannity & Colmes tonight

Fred Thompson is going to spend part of this evening with Sean Hannity and Alan Colmes. We can only hope for a repeat of the last time Alan Colmes and Fred met. Here's my advice to FOX News: letting Fred make Alan weep like a baby would be great for ratings-- and it would only take about 60 seconds.

One crappy thing about this appearance: Fred is going to be followed by that Kookie Alan Keyes. So watch, then go do something else, like read this blog or send Fred some money.

Fred and Jeri looking very Iowan today

There are more pictures of Fred Thompson and his lovely wife Jeri campaigning in Iowa on the campaign Flickr site.

Fred moving through Iowa-- but not "lazily"

With his fast-paced Iowa bus tour Fred Thompson is not only dispelling the conventional wisdom that he's lazy, but he's also giving conservatives all over the nation reason to feel a little more in the holiday mood: The New York Times reporters following Fred got pulled over by one of Iowa's finest as they sped to keep up with the slow-talking Tennessean:

We were late leaving Fred Thompson’s first event in Manchester, and it was a two-hour drive to the next stop in Decorah, so Mike Wilson, our trusty driver, decided to put a little pedal to the … you know. Just east of Oelwein on Highway 3, as we were tooling along at a cool 68 miles an hour, he slowed markedly as an Iowa State Patrol car came towards our white van. The blue lights came on behind us.

“Well, folks,” Mr. Wilson said, and made sure his seat belt was buckled. “We’re about to get pulled.”

Officer C.M. Janssen took Mr. Wilson’s papers back to the squad car, and within minutes, he came back with a written warning, not a ticket. “It’s kind of a reminder,” he said. “Have any questions?”

Video of Fred in Iowa yesterday

It looks like Fred Thompson's campaign will be picking up the pace on releasing video now that Fred's on his Hands Down bus tour through Iowa.

Fred's favorite Dem President?

The AP is asking more silly questions of the presidential candidates. This time, they want to know favorite presidents of the other party:

REPUBLICANS:

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani: "Harry Truman"

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee: "Harry Truman"

Arizona Sen. John McCain: Harry Truman, for standing his ground against public pressure to withdraw troops from Korea. "The history, I think, of the Cold War would have been very different if he had been swayed by public opinion."

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney: Harry Truman. "I like the fact he was able to make tough decisions. He had some of the toughest decisions in the history of this country to make. I find a bit of a kindred spirit in one sense — he was a deliberative, thoughtful, analytical president. ... And he did what he thought was right and he suffered the consequences of doing what he thought was right. But looking back, you say, this man was a great president. We were lucky to have had him in that office."

Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson: "Martin Sheen." The fellow actor played two Democratic presidents on TV, the fictional Josiah Bartlet in "The West Wing" and John Kennedy in a miniseries.

Jeri Thompson: Huckster = Jimmy Carter

I like Fred Thompson's wife more all the time:

[Huckabee] reminds me a lot of when I met Jimmy Carter. He talks a lot about compassion, and everybody feels that way, especially around Christmastime!

Source

The Fred "comeback story"

Jonathan Martin excerpts the David Yepsen piece I quoted this morning, and then goes on to say:

With such a hard push and so many undecided or soft supporters, Fred has a real shot at picking up a second look from those who've been disappointed by his sluggish bid.

Besides perception, though, his other big challenge now is financial. His TV buy in Iowa last week was minimal compared to Romney and even Huckabee. There is enough cash to fuel the bus, but not what they need to have a competitive presence on the Iowa airwaves. Which is why, on his travel sked, there are so many stops at local papers and radio stations. He needs mucho free media.

You heard the man: Fred needs cash. So if you haven't gotten me a present yet, maybe you give Fred a little money.

Somebody you don't know (me) endorses Fred Thompson

I know-- it's hard to believe that a guy who maintains a site called Fred Thompson News supports the candidacy of Fred Thompson, but Pejman got me in the endorsin' mood this morning, so here's my endorsement, and be warned-- it's vastly inferior to Pejman's.

I have gotten a little frustrated that Fred Thompson hasn't had the "traction" in the polls that I think he should, but I have to believe that Fred's serious approach to the important issues facing this country is going to attract the voters just now paying attention. Seriously, we're in a gotdanged war and Mike Huckabee is making Holiday Inn jokes? Entitlements are going to bankrupt this country, and Mitt is touting his mandatory healthcare program? Iran is going nuclear, and Mayor Rudy wants to try to figure out foreign policy? This is pretty crapping frustrated! To my mind, Fred and McCain are the only two viable candidates on national security issues, but McCain (like Pejman says) has a big-government history. So wake up Iowa and New Hampshire! Quit crying because Fred hasn't been in your favorite diner six times kissing your backside and talking corn subsidies (like Mitt Romney has) and start thinking about the future of the greatest nation on earth. It matters how you vote, and you have to take that vote seriously. Vote for the only one of these men who is ready, experienced, principled, and serious.

So Fred wins because the other guys do have serious flaws (even if they're not the flaws the MSM likes to point out). But I don't want to pick a President by process of elimination; I want a guy I can really root for and believe in, and a "lesser of all evils" pick wouldn't inspire to spend several hours a day maintaining a candidate fan/news site.

So what is it that I want in a President, and see in Fred Thompson?
> I want a President that never, ever downplays the current dangers coming from the Middle East(even jokingly); he must not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons.
> I want a President that will keep his hands off MY money. I say that not (only) because I'm selfish, but because I'm a supply-sider.
> I want a President who will lower corporate tax rates. I love America, but the argument to locate a business here is becoming less and less compelling as the corporate tax rates in other countries continue to drop while ours increase or stay the same.
> I want a President who will support the military financially, strategically, and rhetorically.
> I want a President who knows that less government is always the right answer (with the exception of the military) and that free market solutions are always more effective and efficient than government solutions.
> I want a President that will let my state outlaw abortion and gay marriage if we so chose (I live in Georgia and work in Tennessee, and I believe both states would do so).
> I want a President who will not give speeches on Thursday nights when there are new episodes of The Office on NBC (okay, that one is really not that important).
> I want a President who is defined by his principles and whose past actions reflect those same priciples.
> I also want a President who is an intellectual badass-- somebody confident enough in his views and himself to be able to explain his thoughts clearly without backing down or accepting questions with false premises.

So starting with my principles and moving forward, I come to the same conclusion: Fred Thompson should be the 44th President of the United States.

Pejman endorses Fred (and he does a heckuva job)

In what may be the longest post in RedState history, editor Pejman Yousefzadeh has endorsed Fred Thompson for President. You should read the whole thing; it's well thought out and certainly principled.

A few excerpts I'm particularly fond of:

Thompson has made detailed and specific proposals concerning the issue of entitlement reform, oftentimes in the face of overwhelming and widespread political fears that to mention the need for entitlement reforms is to kiss one's chances at electability goodbye. There is something refreshing about a candidate for President willing to risk his electoral chances to speak some hard policy choices and Thompson is to be commended for his bravery.

Thompson intellectual approach to policy issues will lead to a more refined and successful decision-making process if he should be elected President. Contrast this most especially with Huckabee, who resembles, for all of his silver-tongued eloquence, a drowning man when conversations get excessively substantive. The choice between these two candidates should be and is no choice at all. Thompson is simply one of the most intellectually impressive candidates on either side.

Sadly, this belief in federalism has been lacking in recent years. Thompson could work to bring about its renaissance in the Republican Party and in America in general. This would be most welcome.

Yepsen: Don't rule out a Thompson surge

Fred gets some good press in Iowa:

On the GOP side, Romney has slipped, and Huckabee has surged in Iowa and nationally. Other candidates such as Rudy Giuliani and John McCain, who never seemed to figure out just how they want to play Iowa, have effectively bypassed the state in favor of contests elsewhere. That seemed a wise strategy because it would help Huckabee defeat Romney here, thereby derailing his New Hampshire momentum and making that state easier for Giuliani and McCain.

But after a sluggish start, Thompson has sensed an opening in Iowa, and he's moving decisively to exploit it. The opening arises from a combination of Romney's changes of position on social issues and Huckabee's stumbles on foreign-policy questions and immigration.

After his winning performance in the Des Moines Register's debate, Thompson has embarked on a lengthy bus tour of the state. During these final days, his campaign says he'll hold events in 50 communities and will visit 54 of the 99 counties.

On Monday, he picked up the surprise endorsement of Congressman Steve King. Of all the endorsements flying around these days, that one could move the most numbers. It sends a powerful signal from one of Iowa's most conservative leaders to others on the right around the state: We've now got a horse we can ride.

An email from Fred on his Iowa bus tour

An email from Fred:

Friends,

Today is an exciting day on the campaign! Tonight in Dubuque, Iowa, I kick off my "The Clear Conservative Choice: Hands Down" bus tour. I will spend all my time between now and the Iowa Caucuses talking to voters about my vision for our country. This morning I received the support and endorsement from a good friend, Iowa Congressman Steve King. Congressman King's leadership in support of the sanctity of life and his efforts in the fight against illegal immigration have made him one of Iowa's great Republican leaders.

On January 3rd , the people of Iowa are going to answer an important question. Who is the man you want to represent America and protect our principles and values?" We're too far along in this campaign for me to be coy about things.

I believe I am the right man at the right time in our nation's history lead this nation.

I have been tested. I know who I am and what I believe. And what I believe is that our county's best days are ahead of us, if we take on the responsibility of leadership. Together, we can do something great for America. I welcome that challenge.

Your help is crucial to the success of our bus tour through Iowa. Can you make a contribution today to help me fund it?

We've said all along that this campaign is built on a Southern strategy that includes South Carolina's primary on January 19th. As you know, the road to South Carolina and the southern state swing begins with a strong showing in Iowa.

So donate today and be part of a successful bus tour through Iowa. Remember, South Carolina is only two weeks after the Iowa Caucus. Our momentum out of Iowa will get us to South Carolina!

Each day, check in with us at www.Fred08.com and watch highlights from my bus tour. Read the blog and get a feel for what it's like to be on the road campaigning during the icy month of December.

You know, I've been a strong consistent common sense conservative, but the most important issue facing our country and will be for a long time, is national security, and the safety of our people. I've spent a lot of time both in and out of government traveling, talking to foreign leaders, dealing with these issues. I know the world we live in, I think I know what we need to do, I think that it's going to require strong leadership.

So, ask yourself: When our worst enemy is sitting down at the negotiating table thinking about what he can do to the United States of America, who do you want sitting at our side of the table representing you? That's probably the guy you ought to elect President.

Thanks for your help.

Sincerely,

Fred Thompson

Fred gets another Pro-Life endorsement

This time, it's Minnesota:

ST. PAUL (AP) A Minnesota anti-abortion organization has endorsed former Senator and TV star Fred Thompson for president.

Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life says the Republican earned the endorsement with his consistent opposition to abortion. The group says he opposed using tax dollars to pay for abortion and certain kinds of stem cell research.

The National Right to Life Committee announced its endorsement for Thompson about a month ago.

Fred picks up CA ProLife Council endorsement

Today Senator Fred Thompson received the endorsement of the California ProLife Council.

"There are so many pro-life candidates in the race," said Lawrence Lehr, PAC Chairman. "But Fred Thompson is clearly the one, consistently pro-life candidate with the ability to win in November. It is important that pro-life voters rally around a candidate that can make a difference."

The California ProLife Council is the state affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee. CPLC is a non-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian grassroots organization dedicated to the cessation of the perceived need for abortion, euthanasia and infanticide. California ProLife Council believes this goal will be accomplished on two fronts: (1) working within the law to change the law and (2) changing public opinion through education.

"I'm blessed and honored to have the endorsement of California ProLife Council for President of the United States," said Senator Thompson. "From the heartland of America, and now coast to coast, right to life organizations have voted to endorse my candidacy because they know I have stood with them yesterday, I stand with them today, and will stand with them tomorrow. They know I have the ability to win this election. They know I believe in the sanctity of life and as President I will do all that I can to do to protect life."

Fred Thompson is pro-life. He believes in the sanctity of human life and that every life is worthy of respect. He had a 100% pro-life voting record in the Senate and believes Roe v. Wade was a bad decision that ought to be overturned. He consistently opposed federal funding to promote or pay for abortion and supported the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act, the Child Custody Protection Act, and President Reagan's Mexico City policy. While Fred Thompson supports adult stem cell research, he opposes embryonic stem cell research. He also opposes human cloning.

Source

Fred on King's endorsement

From Fred08.com:

Congressman King’s leadership in support of the sanctity of life and his efforts in the fight against illegal immigration have made him one of Iowa’s great Republican leaders. He’s a tireless fighter for the 5th district of Iowa and I’m honored by his support. I look forward to working with Congressman King over the next three weeks and into 2008 in support of the traditional conservative values he and I share.

Video of Fred on Fox & Friends this morning

Fred Thompson was on with Steve, Kelly, and Gretchen this morning (via satellite from Iowa).

Doocy did Fred the favor of bringing up the "hand show" episode from the debate.

He also practically gave Fred a free-shot on Huckabee.

Hat tip to Hot Air, where they note that "Fred’s laugh is about a million times more palatable than Hillary’s."

More on King's endorsement of Fred

From First Read:

"There's only one candidate who epitomizes the full spectrum of our conservative values," [King] continued. "There is one who is a comfortable conservative, in whom I have full confidence in his decisions."

"He also has the fire in his belly to go the distance, and the brains and resources to get there," said King.

Nail in the coffin for Thompson, everyone thought in the room. (Thompson is frequently caricatured as sluggish and apathetic about his White House hopes, and his campaign coffers are paltry in comparison to Romney's millions.)

Then King added, "If it's not there, I intend to work hard to put it there." The typing and the scratching of pens in the room suddenly stopped as reporters' heads snapped up. "I will put all of my efforts -- and the fire into the belly -- of the person who I believe destiny has called to be the president of the United States."

"I will be working for and supporting Fred Thompson for president."

As King dramatically took off his glasses, folded them, and put them back in his coat pocket, the room was almost silent. A lone Thompson staffer clapped a few times.

And more than one reporter re-learned a hard lesson … it ain't over til it's over.

Fred picks up huge Iowa endorsement

With a bonus false report that got Mitt all excited:

And the endorsements keep coming... Congressman Steve King (R), one of Iowa's most strident critics of illegal immigration and a champion of the state's rural conservatives, has endorsed Romney.

With a mere 17 days until the Iowa caucuses, King's endorsement may resonate with conservatives in the western part of the state. King had fostered a close relationship with longshot candidate Tom Tancredo, who shares his strong anti-illegal immigration views. But speculation yesterday was that the much-revered (in some circles) congressman wanted to make a splash by endorsing one of the race's front-runners.

King's endorsement of Romney could serve to further the Massachusetts governor's case against Huckabee, whom Team Romney hopes to paint as weak on immigration.

*** UPDATE *** King just announced that he's supporting Thompson. Team Romney is in the back of the room looking bewildered. They were all here, leading all the press to conclude that it was an endorsement for Romney.

From MSNBC First Read

Washington Post: "Romney Claims NRA Endorsement He Didn't Receive"

From Fred08.com:
"Romney Claims NRA Endorsement He Didn't Receive"

Michael D. Shear

Washington Post, The Trail

December 16, 2007

Maybe it was the pressure of the moment. Being under the Tim Russert spotlight can get to anyone. Under Russert's grilling about guns on this morning's "Meet the Press," former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney claimed an endorsement he'd never won.

In answer to questions about whether he would sign an assault weapons ban, Romney said: "Just as the president said, he would have, he would have signed that bill if it came to his desk, and so would have I. And, and, and yet I also was pleased to have the support of the NRA when I ran for governor. I sought it, I seek it now. I'd love to have their support."

Later in the interview, he added the following:

"I just talked about, about guns. I told you what my position was, and what I, what I did as governor; the fact that I received the endorsement of the NRA."

The problem?

He was never endorsed by the NRA, and didn't have their official support during his 2002 gubernatorial campaign. The NRA declined to endorse in that race, as was acknowledged by Romney's spokesman this morning

"The NRA did not endorse in the 2002 campaign," said spokesman Kevin Madden, when asked about Romney's comments. "Mitt Romney as a candidate received a respectable B grade rating from the NRA, and when he was governor he had the support of the NRA and the Gun Owners Action League in relaxing some of the state's burdensome licensing regulations."

What Madden didn't say was that Romney's Democratic opponent in the governor's race, Shannon O'Brien, was given a more than respectable "A" grade by the NRA, according to its website.

The issue of guns has repeatedly dogged Romney, who as a U.S. Senate candidate in 1996 was in favor of several gun control measures. Earlier this year, Romney was mocked for saying that he was a "small varmint" hunter.

To View The Article Please Visit :

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/12/16/romney_claims_nra_endorsement.html#more

Video of Fred on Face the Nation

Is available here in theory. I can't get it to work, but maybe my computer's having a bad day. Our friend Bigredfredhead at BFFT uploaded to YouTube, but it's already been taken down....

When Fred is President and I am Secretary of the Internets, this kind of thing will not be allowed to happen.

UPDATE:
Okay, here's a YouTube version. Enjoy:

This has nothing whatsoever to do with Fred Thompson

But it's a slow Fred news day and Christmas is in 9 days!

Oh yeah, Fred was on Face the Nation with Bob Schieffer this morning. The only account I've read so far seems pretty positive, if not headline-grabbing:

Perhaps contrasting himself with Mitt Romney, Thompson said that he is not going to change his message or try to be something he's not, and he promised that the pundits are wrong about as often as they are right.

Schieffer asked him about the rise of Mike Huckabee, and Fred did not know why he rose of if this rise will be "merely a blip." Fred said that now Huckabee is being forced to come forward and talk about his record, and Huckabee's record shows that he is liberal: on immigration, on taxes, on Castro, on the current Gitmo camp.

Schieffer asked Thompson what he would do about the 12-million illegal aliens who will be here after we've tightened the borders, etc. Thompson started with "what you don't do," and that's grant them citizenship just because they are here. He thinks that if we enforce the borders, required employers "to employ modern technology to see who they're hiring," and cut off federal funding, they would leave. He did not suggest rounding them up and deporting or incarcerating them. Let them know that they won't receive benefits and won't be protected from the law.

Schieffer asked Thompson why people should select him over "Governor Romney." Thompson said that there was no way you could determine how Mitt would govern in the future, but with him (FDT), he is who he is, a solid conservative.

I'll post the video as soon as I find it...

Fred Thompson reaches goal: 2400 donors in 24 hours

Not that I was worried but Sean at FredFiles reports that the FredHeads came through yesterday:

UPDATE IV: Success! You did it! We issued a challenge and you met it. By standing with Fred you’re rejecting the gotcha games liberals like to play. You want serious, sober, consistent conservative leadership. That’s why you’re standing with Fred.

I’ve asked a lot from you the last day. We reached our goal, but let’s keep it going. Continue to tell people we need to “Stop the Hand Shows.” Leave comments on other blogs, tell your Facebook and MySpace friends, and send e-cards. Let’s continue building momentum for Fred as he begins his bus tour of Iowa on Monday.

Thanks to all who donated, especially those few people who donated via the widgets on this site. My hope is for Fred to see how awesome this site is so he can appoint me Secretary of the Internets (or at least Under-Secretary of the Lower-Level Blogosphere) during his first term.

Kind of a slow Saturday...

I thought I'd leave you with this before I go do some Christmas shopping.

I hate they didn't have more editing options, like one that would have let Fred stand over the other four at the end while they cry and avert their eyes from the greatness that is Fred Thompson. Or at least an option for Mike Huckabee to take a few more shots to the snowballs...

Oh, and I want to warn you again-- if you haven't given Fred at least $25 bucks in the last day, he is going to come after you. I DO NOT want to be around when he gets the list of supposed supporters who couldn't get off their wallets for his 2400 donors in 24 hours drive...

Fred thumbs his nose at stupid AP question again

From AP:

The candidates by their full names, and their nicknames:

REPUBLICANS:

Former New York Mayor Rudolph William Louis Giuliani: Rudy

Former Arkansas Gov. Michael Dale Huckabee: Mike and Huck

Arizona Sen. John Sidney McCain III: Johnny

Former Massachusetts Gov. Willard Mitt Romney: "In high school, my friends called me Bird Legs. And how did I get it? Take a guess."

Former Tennessee Sen. Freddie Dalton Thompson: Mr. President

Fred to start "Hands Down" tour. Get it?

An email from Fred's campaign manager, Bill Lacy:

Dear Friend of Fred,

In the 1980 campaign, I worked for Ronald Reagan. I was proud to be part of his team.

Now, I am just as proud to be part of Fred Thompson's team.

That's why I am writing to seek your help today.

In 1980, the defining moment for President Reagan was in a New Hampshire debate when he refused to kowtow to a belligerent moderator.

Fred had a defining moment on Wednesday in the Iowa debate, when he refused the liberal moderator's demand to raise his hand to say yes or no to a complex question.

The similarities were incredible.

We have reached a critical juncture in the campaign--and we need you to step up once again.

On Monday, Fred kicks off "The Clear Conservative Choice: Hands Down!" Bus Tour in Iowa. The tour will take Fred to 50 cities and towns across Iowa in the most aggressive retail campaigning of the whole campaign.

Just in time for the Iowa caucuses on January 3! In fact, Fred will be there virtually the entire time except Christmas until the vote.

We call it "The Clear Conservative Choice" tour because Fred is the only clear, consistent conservative in the race. He was conservative in the past, he is today and he will be so in the future. You can count on him.

We just added the "Hands Down" to commemorate his dominating performance in the Wednesday debate.

I believe this tour can make the difference in the Iowa caucuses. It will bring Fred in contact with thousands of caucus goers--it will build off the momentum of Fred's performance.

Fred is really energized...and he's already come out swinging.

But that's where you come in.

We need "air cover" in the form of media for our tour and our first rate ground game.

As you can imagine, Fred is the best on TV and his bold proposals have been highly praised by conservative publications and commentators.

But we need additional funding for our final media push.

Can you help?

He goes on to ask for money and says this:

We want 2400 donors in 24 hours to show the liberal media that we are tired of of their games. No More Hand Shows!

So give Fred some money. I already have today, and dadgummit, if 2399 more of you folks won't give a few bucks, we're going to tick Fred off, and you DO NOT want that.

Fred gets endorsement from Methodist group

Republican presidential candidate, Fred Thompson made his second stop through the magnolia state in less than a month Friday. He picked up an endorsement for a conservative Methodist group, the Wesleyan Center for Strategic Studies.

Fred Thompson says he's the same person whether he's in the deep south or out west. His "tell it like it is" demeanor showed itself at the most recent GOP debate.

But it's that same resolve the Wesleyan Center founders say is the reason they chose to endorse him.

"He is just not Fred '08, he is Fred everyday," said Reverend Phillip Knight, Wesleyan Center for Strategic Studies.

More...

Fred to "Face the Nation" Sunday

Fred Thompson will be spending part of his weekend with Bob Schieffer on CBS' Face the Nation.

Here's the Face the Nation website, which doesn't mention Fred at all, and here's the FOX News article where I got the tip.

Two things:
1. The people at CBS should show their gratitude for Fred spending any time on their piece-of-crap network by giving him the front page of CBSNews.com, a half-hour infomercial in place of the CBS Evening News, and a guest spot on CSI-- the real one, not the Miami one with the creepy red-headed guy.

2. I know Fred's been criticized for having low visibility, but would you rather spend your morning with Bob Schieffer or sleeping late with your trophy wife?

Stop the hand shows

From Fred08.com:

Running for President is serious business. We're facing pressing issues like national security, bankrupt entitlements, a broken tax code, and out-of-control judges. So what did the liberal moderator want at Wednesday's debate? A show of hands. We deserve serious discussion not kindergarten antics.

Don't you want a conservative leader who won't grovel to the liberal media?

If 2,400 people donate in the next 24 hours it will tell the liberal media that the American people are tired of their games.

Stand with Fred and reject the liberal media's "monkey business" and gotcha games. Donate today.

Fred's most prized possession:

I love when Fred makes a mockery out of the media (see here and here). And today the AP asked the candidates their most prized keepsakes:

REPUBLICANS:

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani: "My grandfather's pocket watch."

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee: "Probably my Tobias bass guitar or maybe, I've got a handmade musket rifle that was made by a guy in Eureka Springs, Ark. I've hunted turkey with it. It's really an amazing firearm. Probably one of those two as far as just real heirlooms."

Arizona Sen. John McCain: "I have a baseball signed by Ted Williams, my childhood hero, a Marine pilot as well."

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney: 1962 Rambler American, which his sons bought for him. "The last year that my dad was president of American Motors and made Ramblers was 1962, so it's a connection with my dad and that era."

Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson: "Trophy wife."

Fred announces Kentucky leadership

The Fred Thompson Campaign today announced its Kentucky leadership team, spearheaded by Representative Jamie Comer (R-Tompkinsville) and State Senator Julie Denton (R-Jefferson). The esteemed group of legislators includes five Kentucky State Senators and the majority of Kentucky Republican State Representatives, including Senate Majority Whip Carroll Gibson and House Minority Leader Jeff Hoover.

Representative Jamie Comer, a farmer and businessman, will serve as the Kentucky Executive Director of the Fred Thompson campaign. Representative Comer is currently serving his fourth term in the Kentucky House of Representatives. "I am proud to serve as the Kentucky Executive Director of Fred Thompson's presidential campaign, said Representative Comer. "He is exactly the kind of consistent conservative leader our country needs from his pro-life voting record to his strong positions against illegal immigration."

Much more...

Fred video-- "Ain't going to play that game"

Tony Snow takes Fred Thompson's old job

I know this is not really election-related, but I've always been a fan of Tony Snow, and thought I'd post this anyway! It's my blog, dangit!

Former White House spokesman Tony Snow returned to the airwaves Friday as a fill-in for Paul Harvey on his ABC Radio program -- a spot usually occupied by Gil Gross and occasionally by former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) before his run for the presidency.

Snow talked briefly at the end of the broadcast about his health, saying that his cancer was still in remission, that he had big hair again -- brown, not the white it turned during earlier treatment -- and that he was doing well with good medicine and the prayers of his supporters. (source)

Good for Tony Snow! May his health continue to improve and may he use his airtime to endorse the candidacy of Fred Thompson!

Rich Galen's thoughts in Iowa debate and Des Moines Register

In his latest Mullings column, Fred Thompson Senior Advisor Rich Galen absolutely unloads on the "abysmally stupid" debate held two days ago in Iowa. He also recounts the story of how he was threatened with arrest at the same debate. Go check it out!

Thank you, Ron Paul (no, seriously)

For this:

Two former Republican legislators from Mike Huckabee 's home state are in Iowa this week criticizing Huckabee's record on immigration and taxes on trips paid for by Ron Paul, Huckabee's Republican presidential rival.

Paul's campaign said Thursday it was paying former Sen. Jim Holt and former Rep. Randy Minton about $5,000 each to go to Iowa for a series of radio interviews criticizing Huckabee's 10 1/2 years as Arkansas governor.

"We just want to make sure Iowans get the full picture of what Governor Huckabee did when he was in office," said Paul's campaign spokesman, Jesse Benton. "There hasn't been a whole lot of information going out to Iowans and we want to make sure they get the full picture."

Rich Lowry unloads on Mike Huckabee

Excerpt:

After many false prophecies, Dean circa 2008 has finally arrived. He is former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. Not because he will inevitably blow himself up in Iowa. But because, like Dean, his nomination would represent an act of suicide by his party.

Like Dean, Huckabee is an under-vetted former governor who is manifestly unprepared to be president of the United States. Like Dean, he is rising toward the top of polls in a crowded field based on his appeal to a particular niche of his party. As with Dean, his vulnerabilities in a general election are so screamingly obvious that it's hard to believe that primary voters, once they focus seriously on their choice, will nominate him.

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