Fred Thompson and Spencer Abraham: Bad combo
In my 2002 book Invasion (p. 71, 76), I noted the open-borders obstructionism of former Sen. Spencer Abraham (R-Michigan), who fought to block the implementation of two different tracking databases–one for foreign student visa holders and the other for all temporary visitors (which was mandated by Section 110 of the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act). Abraham led efforts to starve the first database of funding and crusaded several times to kill Section 110 altogether. On September 11, 2001, neither of those databases was in place. To this day, they remain incomplete.
Now, Fred Thompson has gone and hired Open Border Spence as his acting campaign manager:
Republican presidential hopeful Fred Thompson, who hasn’t officially entered the presidential race, is shaking up his campaign staff, replacing his acting campaign manager with a former Michigan senator and a Florida Republican strategist.
Thompson spokeswoman Linda Rozett said acting campaign manager Tom Collamore, former vice president of food and tobacco giant Altria, still will advise the campaign. Collamore has helped organize the campaign for Thompson, who has not officially jumped into the race.
Thompson has established a “testing the waters” committee that allows him to raise money for a presidential bid. He is expected to formally kick off his candidacy in September, after the Labor Day holiday.
“The Friends of Fred Thompson have made a number of changes as they prepare to enter the next phase, adding new experience and political strength to the organization,” Rozett said.
Replacing Collamore will be Randy Enright, who has served as Florida regional political director for the Republican National Committee, and Spencer Abraham, the former senator who lost his bid for re-election in 2000 to Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow.
Bad, bad move. If the Fred campaign is trying to win over grass-roots conservatives, this is a dumb way to do it.
Debbie Schlussel has followed the soft-on-terrorism career of Spencer Abraham. Yikes.
See what others have said
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Trackbacks
- Fred, what are you thinking?! Spencer Abraham?! Let’s talk… « Volunteer Opinion Journal
- Hot Air » Blog Archive » Video: The obligatory “Paul supporter demands 9/11 Truth from Fred” post
- Hot Air » Blog Archive » Video: The obligatory “Paul supporter demands 9/11 Truth from Fred” post
- Fred’s First Stumble « Buttle’s World
- Serious Questions About Fred Thompson's Campaign Manager : Weblogs
- JunkYardBlog
- UniversalUpdate.com
- Reason for Concern?? Speak your mind and let us know at Conservative Times--Republican GOP news source.
- The American Pundit » Blog Archive » Thompson on Hazleton Decision
- Hot Air » Blog Archive » Video: Fred on the Hillary/Obama foreign policy dust up
- Fred Thompson and Spencer Abraham | PeteRepublic.org
- Kicking Over My Traces: The Big Dipper and Spence
- Fred Thompson’s Pan-Islamist Campaign Manager « Conservatives Against Fred Thompson
- The Urban Grind » Blog Archive » Senator Fred Thompson Is No Conservative
- Nice Deb What is Fred! Thinking? «
- Michelle Malkin Calls Out Fred! for Hiring Spencer Abraham : theduncanhunterblog.com
- Serious Questions About Fred Thompson's Campaign Manager · Articles
- The Fred Debacle
- Walkabout Blogtopia | Aktif Blog | Blogdan Al Haberi
- The Crone Speaks
- Conservative Heritage Times » Fred Thompson Picks Open Borders Spence to Lead His Campaign
- Serious Questions About Fred Thompson’s Campaign Manager · New York Articles
- Multiple Sources Confirm Abraham Still Co-Heads Fred Campaign : The American Pundit
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Not a smart move on Freds part…
Add in his invisibility the last month, when there were questions he needed to answer, and he’s got problems.
Drudge had this:
A woman screaming “you’re not a real conservative, sir”
I had already left Fred last week due to his dillydally’ing around… this just makes it that much harder for him to win back my vote.
Can we draft Michael Steele?
I read that that lady was actually a Truther. Could be wrong on it, only skimmed some comments. Not that she was going to change my mind about someone by being polite in her heckling, anyway…
Yeah, I don’t know what the hell Fred was thinking here, he knows how toxic amnesty is with the base. To hire such a prominent amnesty/Open Borders guy is sending a really bad message.
I’ve been waiting for Fred to jump in. With moves like this, I’m starting to feel that it’s just as well he doesn’t.
I’ve been teetering between Rudy and Fred. Maybe an occasional nod to Mitt. Now, Fred may be starting his fall out of my favor.
Yeah, this puts Fred right out of the picture. I was kind of hoping he would come out blazing for border security and on the side of the American citizen worker, but looks like he’s gonna be just another tool of GloboCorp. It’s too bad, because I am certain that no Republican without serious border security cred has a prayer of being elected.
Screw it, bring on Newt. If we’re going to lose, at least let’s lose with someone who has a big mouth.
A truther calling Fred on the carpet over open borders strikes me as an odd strategy. Being in South Texas, there are many many folks who are very sensitive about open borders and the proposed trans corridor highway and how that severely impacts residents down here. Eminent domain and worse. So I wouldn’t be surprised if this couple were vocal active members of the Houston Minuteman chapter, or some similar outfit. But, I don’t know the specifics either on these folks.
I agree NeoCon….
The more I hear & see Newt speak on the issues - the more I like what I hear.
I read earlier today, I can’t recall where, could’ve been just a blog posting, that Newt may not run and throw his support to Fred.
I hope that this move by Thompson kills any thought in Newt’s mind of doing that.
Well if he’s “Testing the Waters” They must be pretty lame in his camp. The “Waters” spoke loud and clear on this issue.
Fred’s “Aren’t-I-Special, look-at-me-tease-the-world” drama queen approach to his own candidacy doesn’t wear well in him from a media perspective because he was the guy everyone was hoping would be a staunch conservative and make alot of down-home sense - now it appears as though neither is true.
Honestly, I’m glad he’s starting to show his true colors in terms of decision-making prowess (or lack thereof) now, before he had alot of momentum and people had made a big emotional investment in his candidacy. I think he’s starting to fry on the griddle the way McCain did.
The Republican Party is in big trouble. Why bother even running? Hillary is going to wax everybody. This is so depressing!!!!!!!!! Yep, bring on Mr. big mouth–”I know everything” Newt.
I believe Newt will toss his hat into the ring very soon.
He is sorely disappointed in our choices. Unless someone stands against open borders, we are doomed.
May be too late regardless.
Read an interesting article on NewsMax…a general stated that a nuclear attack is imminent and very soon.
Porous Mexican borders is one of the main reasons it’s soooooo easy!
DUH.
Hunter/Gingrich!
Hunter/Gingrich!
Hunter/Gingrich!
Border Security, California Conservative - like Reagan, Conservative pitbull in Gingrich.
Hunter/Gingrich! would be the best ticket in years from any party.
Ditto.
Then with the reports that his campaign donations were off by around 2 mil than was expected…and also that he’s waiting till bloody Sept to announce? He’s going to be a hurting unit. That ship is sinking fast.
Frank J is going to have to work overtime to crank out plausible ‘Frank facts about Fred Thompson’ if he hasn’t already canned that endeavor…
Not very electable in my estimation, but I agree with you.
What about Steele/Bolton, or vice versa?
If you’re gonna wish, wish big!
All Hunter has to do is talk about what he has done with the border in San Diego, and the effect it has had on quality of life, and America will start to lean his way.
I guess he should be marketed as Hunter (secured the San Diego border).
Most Americans want border security, Hunter did that.
And by the way Schweggie, Hillary, Obama, OR Edwards are all not very electable either.
Dammit Fred. Why’d you have to go and do that. Why can’t the Republicans field a candidate that we want to vote for instead of a candidate that we only vote for because they are not a democrat?
I like how Fred is still the GOP front runner and has not had to raise a dime nor spend one……meanwhile McCain is bankrupt.
I think there is a lot to be said for flying under the radar.
I like Fred Thompson… I don’t like illegal immigration. I am afraid that my passion against illegal immigration wins out over have Fred Thompson as our next president.
I have let the people at the imwithfred.com web site know this.
I thought waiting was a brilliant, but this move just screwed the pooch.
I was just researching the possibility of Duncan Hunter doing anything, and the recent New Hampshire poll shows zero people polled chose Hunter. That’s not good.
I wonder if Hunter has ever been to New Hampshire. He needs to spend about a month up there knocking on doors if he wants to get momentum. He should just say “Hi, I’m Duncan Hunter, Republican from San Diego. I sealed the border there and raised the quality of life for Americans. I can do it for the whole country with your support. Thank you.”
It could be another ‘comeback kid’ campaign if he were to get noticed (he wouldn’t necessarily have to win NH) in New Hampshire.
I know I’m hijacking this thread, but I hold MM personally responsible for the Fred! buzz.
Fred is going to show he is all too human if he actually takes off the cowboy hat and dives into the political pool. It’s all the lure of the unknown right now. He isn’t our savior.
This pains me to say this, but I think you are overestimating the American people right now…just my opinion, but I think the inevitable Clinton/Obama ticket is extremely electable.
If only Newt looked like Mitt.
Could the REAL Fred Thompson emerge before he announces his candidacy? Thompson is no Conservative. He is no savior. He is another RINO politician that wants to exploit the
SuckersConservatives for his political aspirations.Oh come on Michelle. Thompson made it clear that he was opposed to the comprehensive piece of crap bill and the he is for enforcing our borders. A campaign manager is not the same thing as a policy adviser. I’ll bet that every one on Thompson’s staff disagrees with him in one way or another and that will be no different for Abraham. But Abraham was not hired for his opinions, he was hired to manage a campaign.
Let’s give Thompson a chance to hang himself with his own words before we bring out the pitch forks and torches.
I would like an explanation from Fred on why he chose an open borders/Muslim sympahtizer as his chairman. It is difficult to explain such a poor decision. WHy not LIndsey Graham as chairman? That’ll work.
Understood, but as the old adage goes, sometimes actions speak louder than words…
At a minimum this is a giant red flag…
I agree completely.
I want to jump on his bandwagon, but will wait now.
If this is true I am very disappointed. I was hoping we would get a decent real conservative candidate to back, but this move kills my support for Fred for now.
Is there any Republican we can trust?
This is sickening! Newt is looking better everyday in my opinion.
He doesn’t have the charisma, but he is one smart man.
He’s handled Congress before and doesn’t kiss arse either.
Maybe a Newt/Guilliani??????
Looks like Fred is fast becoming the new Wes Clark, all sound but no fury. Also, did anyone else catch Dick Morris saying that Fred Thompson’s son has a $200K no show job? He’s just another politician. How about we get a Hunter/Huckabee ticket and get some candidates without any baggage?
say it ain’t so Fred…
Get a grip people. He hired Abraham as acting campaign manager, not a policy wonk. You can disagree with somebody’s stances on the issues and still recognize their abilities to excell in other areas.
And what’s with all the impatience for him getting into the race? There are plenty of people posting here who have remarked plenty of times that this whole process started too early anyway. September is closer to the traditional time to kick off a campaign anyway, so what’s the big deal about not being a declared candidate - and don’t get started on fundraising, or everybody else is in it already. Those arguments don’t wash.
Fred isn’t my ideal candidate, but he’s still a darned sight more conservative than Rudy. For gosh sakes, Bill Richardson scores more conservative points based on his record than does Rudy. So all of you “conservatives” out there that think Rudy is so swell, maybe it’s time you started doing your homework and using your brain instead of your gut to pick a candidate.
Much as it pains me to say it, the three candidates who match my views most closely (i.e. are most conservative) are Sam Brownback, Duncan Hunter and Tom Tancredo. Personally, I don’t think any of the three are electable, so what’s a conservative to do? Hope for the best in the primaries and then back the eventual nominee, I suppose, whether it’s Hunter, Tancredo, Brownback, Fred, Romney or yes, even Rudy - although all but Hunter would involve varying levels of nose-holding.
For all of you out there that are wanting Newt - I would say this: I love Newt. I would like nothing more than to see President Gingrich being sworn in in January of ‘09. But it ain’t gonna happen. We all know it. By the time the MSM and the Dimocrats get done with Newt, he would be an underdog in a race for dog catcher. And while you’re at it, forget about Michael Steele, Condi Rice, etc. Same thing - maybe even worse treatment than Newt would get.
All I’m saying is get a grip people. Look at things realistically. Yeah, I know the Abraham/open borders stuff is tough to swallow, but again, we’re talking acting campaign manager here.
I respectfully disagree, Michelle, you never get 100% no matter what. I heard Spencer was hired to win Michigan, he was chair of the Michigan GOP and a successful candidate in Michigan.
All you can hope is to do better than Rudy or Mitt. Hey I know, I voted for Crist and all I got was this stinking global warming ribbon.
Fred is solid on the border security, in his own words. I think the video is up on YouTube somewhere, if I find it … I’ll be back.
Remember when Karl Rove was “just” the campaign manager?
Well, that says that Fred is a poor tactician. He will NEVER win Michigan. And Spence Abraham lost Michigan, himself. Completely unpopular here.
But, hey, if Ibrahim Hooper could win him Michigan and he hired him, would that be okay by you? Didn’t think so.
Here is the article, couldn’t find the YouTibe video … http://greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/NEWS03/706270389
Some quotes from the article …
Quote
Fred Thompson drew roaring cheers Wednesday from hundreds of Republicans in Columbia with a strong denunciation of the immigration reform bill before the U.S. Senate.
Quote
“Secure the border,” the hulking 6-foot-5 Thompson thundered. “Nothing else can be dealt with until that is done, and the American people are trying to get that message across.”
Newt said he would jump in race if nothing significant happened by mid-October..I think Fred has totally blown himself out of the water. Grandson in Iraq for 2nd tour - we don’t need a gutless candidate.
Thank you and your family for supplying us with another hero.
I pray that he can smite the killers of our countrymen and come home safe in mind and body.
I think Giuliani is the best choice now by far. Plus, CAIR hates him.
Finally, this quote by Thompson in the CNN report about the heckler is very worrisome: “He told the woman, ‘I try to learn as much as I can from all viewpoints.’”
That has “RINO” written all over it. Someone his age is still trying to learn from all viewpoints? That is a statement I would expect a 16 year old high school student to make. Either he has no core values or he hasn’t made up his mind yet on important issues. That is worrisome in a presidential candidate.
No, I don’t believe that I ever heard of Karl Rove being “just” the campaign manager. Quite the contrary, I seem to remember Karl Rove always being referred to as somewhat more than a campaign manager.
Like I said earlier, Fred isn’t my ideal candidate. However, I would vote for him 100% of the time if my choices were Fred or Rudy. I’ll say it again, if you are a conservative and you think Rudy is “all that and a bag of chips”, then you really, really, really need to start doing some serious research into Rudy. When there are Dimocrats that score higher on the conservative scale than Rudy, that should give conservatives more than enough reason to be very concerned about the possibility of a Rudy presidency.
Hunter/Gingrich does have a nice ring. I’ve been watching Duncan since he dismantled lil-Wolfie on the Communist News Network earlier this year. And Newt speaks for himself, and for the rest of us. Plus, he damn near does know everything.
I like Newt, and he’s a fellow Tulane alum, which gives him added points, but I don’t know if I can get past the adultery. Plus, as someone else has said, the MSM will just skewer him, especially if he’s running against Hilary.
Considering that the Dems are going to put up some combo including Obama (“Are you a dictator? Then I want to meet you!”) and/or Hillary (“My husband’s a victim of a VRWC.”), the fact that the Stupid Party is so incapable of fielding a candidate up to the task and who can beat back these empty/criminal suits/pantsuits is pitiful. This must be how the Dems felt as they watched Gore and Kerry lose to the incompetent Dubya.
Rudy? We used to call guys like him RINOs, didn’t we? Two too many marriages, too.
Mitt? The Treason Media’s diligent religious smearing appears to have worked and he could only win if the Dems put up Tom Cruise.
Fred? If his trophy wife teased him as long as he’s teased conservatives, he would’ve gone down to Hooters and recruited another contestant.
Newt? Bwahahahahahahahaha!!! Yeah, he’s got ideas and managed to take over Congress, but he frittered it away and would just be shredded again by the Treason Media.
Duncan Hunter? He was on “Veronica Mars”, right? Exactly.
McCain’s toast, so no need to even wonder. Just as with Rudy and Dubya, just because you’re right about a couple of things doesn’t change the fact that you’re wrong about everything else.
Governmentdrone, just a friendly reminder that Rudy hardly rules the day around these parts.
How about Coulter/Rush…….now there’s a THREAT!
LOL!
Really? Could have fooled me looking at a lot of the posts in this thread. Seems like Rudy has quite a bit of support “around these parts”. Still trying to figure out why.
And quite frankly, if the posters in this thread are representative of either the Republican party or the conservative movement, then I guess January of ‘09 is going to be pretty bleak. I shudder at the thought of a president who has the “Kos Seal of Approval” stamped on their behind, but darn it, unless we can make up our minds to rally behind our candidate whoever it may turn out to be that’s exactly what we’re going to be looking at. I’ve seen too many examples of people saying “my candidate is the greatest thing since sliced bread and all the others suck, they’re RINO’s, etc. and if my guy doesn’t win, then I’m going to stay home.”
And don’t say or think it can’t happen. That’s exactly what happened in ‘06. “Republicans” and “Conservatives” who thought it would be just fine to sit out the election to “teach ‘em a lesson”. Well look at what it got us. Nancy and Harry and the congress of a thousand “investigations”.
Frankly, I’ve about had it with both sides. The dimocrat party is a lost cause. The republican party is on life support, simply because conservatives didn’t have enough guts to tell the old-line country club crowd to butt out and stay out. What promised to be the next great political party - the conservative Republican party - is in danger of going the way of the dodo. In fact, it may be too late to save it. It may have been lost to the “moderate”, “middle-of-the-road”, call it what you will wing of the party that represents the bad old days of most of the 20th century.
Sad really. The lesson was such a simple one, and it’s all but lost. The message? Conservatism works every time it’s tried.
All that being said, I grudgingly submit: The worst republican in the race is still better than the best dimocrat.
Shweggie,
Ditto ditto, especially on September. I mean, if Thompson waits until then to say yes, all the nice prom dresses will be gone!
His big problem though, and nobody really says it - and that’s woirrisome - is that with Hillary co-opting her husband’s non-acheievments in office and the MSM making that recoird look just wonderful, Fred has no record! What has he done that anyone can point to and say, “Fred did this and that”. We’re getting some sound bites, somne good and some bad, but all promises. And by the time Hillary and the MSM are done being gracious to him, she’ll be leading by double-digits.
Dare I say that despite some toubles we all have on a couple of issues with him, that Rudy has a huge wealth of truly manifest accomplishments? (but that’s another thread)
Governmentdrone,
“I would like nothing more than to see President Gingrich being sworn in in January of ‘09. But it ain’t gonna happen. We all know it. By the time the MSM and the Dimocrats get done with Newt, he would be an underdog in a race for dog catcher.
He’ll be toast, absolutely. Remember, Newt fans (and I’m a big one) and I guess I’m repeating myself (what else is new?)that despite his soaring intellect he has proven himself incapable of punching back at the MSM and that kind of handicap will be fatal in ‘08. This time around brains won’t be enough, you need really good fighting instincts, because this one is going to get nasty. Really nasty. Not loud and angry nasty, but quiet and poisonous nasty, and Newt, God bless ‘em, has already shown with his dismal approval ratings after all he did that this is one part of the game at which he’s just plain no good. And that’s a pity, but pity doesn’t change the facts or keep Hillary out of the White House.
governmentdrone;
Which candidates would you select at this juncture?
Governmentdront, please gon’t impugn ouur conservatism based on a few posts. If so people do happen to support Rudy over other more conservative candidates, it may be because they are putting priory on certain issue, i.e., terrorism, than over other issues that we can’t seem to change no matter how hard we try, i.e., abortion. Besides, just because you have a more conservative record doesn’t mean you’re a better candidate. Just look at Switchback and Tommy T.
sorry for the grammer errors in the above post…
It’s a tough choice. As I said earlier, the three in the race that come closest to my own conservative views are Sam Brownback, Duncan Hunter and Tom Tancredo.
After his performance in the whole immigration/amnesty debacle, there’s no way in the world I could vote for Brownback. Tom Tancredo has been loudest in his opposition to amnesty for illegals the longest, but despite the fact that he has a good overall conservative voting record, I fear he is viewed as a “one-trick-pony”. Also, he simply doesn’t look the part and let’s face it, no matter how much we might like to think that things like looks don’t matter - they do. It’s a shallow country we live in.
Duncan Hunter is an interesting candidate. He scored second best with me, right after Brownback, so with Brownback’s disqualification over the amnesty issue, he moved up to the #1 spot with me. In a perfect world, he would be my man, and frankly I’m at a point where I probably will work my butt off for him during the primaries.
However, I really don’t see him winning. Just not enough charisma. And again, things like that really do matter with the voting public.
I really see the Republican nomination coming down to Fred vs. Rudy, and that’s why they have been the focus of my comments here today.
I guess we need to think about what’s the most important issue concerning us.
Illegals and Terrorism.
Abortion is important, but not for our economic survival. It is an ethical matter that is personal.
Take that out of the equation to decide.
Everyone has a flaw. Who has the willpower to go against terrorists and illegals invading/taking over our country.
Now Decide!
I wish some candidate would talk about retaking our urban centers. As someone who has lived in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New Orleans for the past 8 years, the democrat policies in these areas have been unchanged for over 40 years and have been a consistent failure. The only thing they seem to accomplish is make things worse. Expanding tax-free empowerment zones, streamlining HUD so it doesn’t take over two years to acquire publically owned, condemed property, increases section 8 housing vouchers instead of building new public housing, taking on unions that increase the costs of new construction, pushing abstinence, and getting serious about drugs and crime would go a long way to fixing the problems we have now. It might even win over the urban vote, right now talking about national security doesn’t mean much if there are 50+ murders a year in your neighborhood.
Interesting that you both should mention abortion. I don’t recall having brought that into the mix, but since it’s on the table, here’s my two cents worth:
I couldn’t agree with you more. As far as I’m concerned, the whole abortion thing is responsible for more disharmony within the ranks of Republicans and conservatives than any other issue. I have my personal opinion on it, but in the grand scheme of things, that really doesn’t matter. What does matter is that Roe v. Wade is the law of the land, and it’s going to stay that way - no matter what the make-up of the supreme court is. The sooner both Republicans and Democrats, Conservatives and Liberals realize that and admit it, the sooner we can take it out of the equation in our elections and move on to other issues.
I couldn’t agree with you more on the fact that illegal immigration/border security and terrorism are the most important issues facing us. That’s why I just can’t get whole heartedly behind Rudy. No matter how hard we try as a country, we’re not going to be 100% effective in stopping either of these things. With that in mind, I really don’t want a president who thinks it’s a good idea to start putting limits on my second amendment rights. Therefore, I just can’t in good conscience back Rudy over the other Republican candidates.
All the more reason to run away - FAST - from any presidential candidate that is not as strong on second amendment rights as possible. Rudy’s record proves he isn’t that candidate.
So we are back to square 1.
If something doesn’t happen in the next few months, Billary may just waltz through this whole ordeal.
Besides being a gun grabber, I’ve read that Rudy supported and defended NY’s sactuary city policy.
For me the list is (or was):
FredNewt
Hunter
Tancredo
Mitt (to keep the Dems out)
Contact Friends of Fred, Finance Department; finance@imwithfred.com.
Tell them what you think about Spencer. Money talks.
I have a little different take on Abraham’s appointment. I disagree with Michelle that this necessarily reflects badly on Thompson. Governmentdrone is a little too dismissive but makes a good point; Abraham will be on the nuts and bolts end of the campaign, not making policy.
He will be extremely valuable in charting a midwestern strategy. Ms. Schlussel’s doubting aside, he will be helpful in Michigan - at least in knowing the sources of money and organization.
There are a lot of shaky red states out there right now. Abraham will help in some states where Bush came close in ‘04 or barely squeaked by.
What should strike fear in the heart of everyone is that Bill Clinton came out of no where and grabbed the prize to run in ‘91. I’ve wondered if that isn’t the game Fred is playing? Hold out, say just enough to not prove how weak/wrong you are on issues, grab the ball and run it. Newt has nothing to lose by running, but then, neither does Fred. He’d be hired back in Nuttywood the day after losing the election. I need every candidate to spell out loud and clear what they do stand for and why we should risk electing them.
I read Ms. Schlussel’s blog this morning and also Dick Morris on Frontpagemag.com and I’m getting that little tickle - like you do when walking down a dark alley.
Before going into an irrecoverable swoon over Newt, please do just a little research and learn why he’d be the neo-coM’s wildest dreams come true.
The only electable Republican for POTUS is Giuliani. Campaign ad: Who told the Saudi prince to go **** himself when offered diya following 9/11? It damn sure wasn’t Hillary.
Who most effectively jumped on leading presidential contender Ron Paul’s throat when he Trufered 9/11? It wasn’t McCain or Mitt.
Rudy has the WOT credentials; Duncan Hunter has firmly established illegal immigration and Reagan conservative credentials.
Giuliani/Hunter.
BTW, Giuliani is going to grab everyone’s gun/s just like Dubya’s going to cancel the 2008 election.
Let’s throw tarps over the fleet of black helicopters and leave the conspiracy theories to the Koslings and Vladimir Paranoid.
Rick Moran(60);
It seems to me that Fred is losing a fair share of his base as a result of the Spencer Abraham appointment. If your theory were true it would suggest that Fred feels Spencer Abraham’s potential contributions to his campaign are more valuable than the support of his own base.
RadicalRon(62);
I wish I’d had a TV during 9/11 so that I could understand the Rudy mania so many people seem to share. I personally have a hard time telling the difference between Rudy and any other Democrat. Wasn’t Rudy a NY Democrat who ran as a Republican for whatever reason?
Rudy is going to have a difficult time convincing conservatives such as myself to give up our 2nd amendment rights while allowing illegals sanctuary in our cities. I think it’s great that he gave back that check but that’s a pretty flimsy reason for me to vote against my own principles.
At least Mitt has some conservative credentials, even if they do shift in the political winds.
For myself, assuming that Fred doesn’t recover from this Spencer Abraham debacle, my support will shift to Newt and Hunter. I just hope that if Fred ends up failing that he doesn’t take Newt and Hunter down with him.
I’m not yet sold on this being a bad move. Yes, Fred could have chosen better but managing a campaign isn’t the same as being in congress. Spence has to do as Fred tells him to do, or else.
I hope that Newt does run. At the very least he would make a fantastic VP.
does anyone know what was said when Fred was interviewed by Hannity on the radio today?
The Republican Party is completely out of touch with the base. For example, the RNCC sent me an invitation to a fund raiser being hosted by one Aner Iglesias. Not only is this guy pro Amnesty, he’s a big donor to Mayor Antonio Viagrragossa. Not only is the Mayor a huge amnesty supporter, but he’s co-chair to Hillary’s campaign. As Concepts2 posted: “Give a Hoot, Vote for Newt.”
#64 “I personally have a hard time telling the difference between Rudy and any other Democrat. Wasn’t Rudy a NY Democrat who ran as a Republican for whatever reason?”
Any Republican worth half his or her salt knows that it’s Mike Bloomberg who switched parties so he could get elected mayor of NYC by riding Giuliani’s slipstream. Most likely a nitiwit such as Olympia Snowe knows it, too.
At least Mitt has some conservative credentials, even if they do shift in the political winds. Mitt’s a good man, his being a political opportunist notwithstanding. His biggest problem, however, is Warren Jeffs. Although it’s 2007, he will be smeared with that tarbaby and the fact that Jeffs is in a cage where he belongs won’t prevent it. It’s just a matter of time and it will be interesting to see from where the smear originates: the Party of Tolerance, Diversity and Understanding? Or, from somewhere within the Big Tent?
Newt’s version of traditional family values - especially as practiced during Jethro’s impeachment - sink his ship, just as they brought to a screeching halt his tenure as Speaker of the House.
As such, I’d vote for Ron Paul (Moonbat-Texas) before I’d vote for Newt.
PIMF: I should have mentioned as a disclaimer in my initial post that I’m acquainted with Duncan Hunter. He was my congressman before I moved from the district. Both feet on the ground, enjoys meeting with his constituents and is very effective. Hunter was awarded the Bronze Star during his stint in Vietnam as an Army Ranger. All around great guy with very few negatives, the most significant being that he’s a virtual unknown outside of his district. He would be an excellent choice as VP running mate.
Gots to run; later.
Radical Ron, With all do respect I’ve done my research on Newt. There’s no dispute, I’m voting for Newt. He’s solid and let them throw mud.
I’m not a Republican; I’m a conservative independent, which is why I’ve never paid much attention to liberal NY politics. I knew Bloomberg switched parties, but I though Rudy did as well many years earlier. Apparently I was wrong.
Actually I was right about Rudy being a Democrat once upon a time. Turns out my salt is worth half or more of its value after all!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudy_Giuliani
Floating Rock said, Wasn’t Rudy a NY Democrat who ran as a Republican for whatever reason?
No, he didn’t. As your source states, he switched parties while he was a federal prosecutor. His run for mayor was 14 years later.
Trying to cover by now saying Rudy being a Democrat once upon a time is a cute use of weasel-words to slither away from your original snark.
John Ansell said, Radical Ron, With all do respect I’ve done my research on Newt. There’s no dispute, I’m voting for Newt. He’s solid and let them throw mud.
I was a big-time supporter of Newt until it came out that he was having an affair with his secretary at the same time Jethro was being impeached for lying under oath while giving a deposition for a federal sexual harassment suit.
I’m guessing that your research failed to discover that. Nexis-Lexis has it, along with some info about his first marriage that, when combined, causes Newt to become a target-rich environment for the likes of Begala, Carville & Co.
Sorry, but Newt v. Hillary = Rodham landslide. She’ll go for the sympathy vote, i.e., Newt’s respect for women is no better than BJ Bill’s. She’s hungry enough for power that she’d announce that Bill’s been sent to live with some skank and that she’s keeping the shack in Chappaqua; if she thought that’s what it would take to win.
It’s too bad, because Newt would make a good president - except for his agreeing with Jean-Pierre on ‘global warming’ during their non-debate debate smoochfest.
The biggest problem confronting the Republican field is that the GOP - and too many of its major players - is completely out of touch with the base.
I received a begging-bowl letter last month and was happy to make a contribution — of 100 pesos; a token of my appreciation for a job well done. If the lovefest with CAIR continues, it’ll be the last 100 of anything the RNC gets from me for awhile.
Now that Alberto Gonzales is being contradicted by the FBI, let’s see how much deeper into the muck we get dragged. We’re getting close to the point where an election won’t be needed, just hand the keys to Shrillary and be done with it.
What could he be thinking?
I’m still hoping Jeb will run…
(I know, I know, Bush fatigue…)
Yes, this bothers me worse than the lobbying. It this apointment gonna be Fred’s “Harriet Miers”?
(not picking on governmentdrone)
Here’s my realistic look. For most of the last 6 years the GOP base has been subjected to a constant string of positions, votes, missteps, appointments, spending, and even insults that have been tough to swallow and which are always followed, it seems, with a “but”. I’m just a little tired of it.
It seems to me that if a Dem is elected in 2008 that we are almost assured GOP victories in 2010 and regaining POTUS 2012-2020 if not beyond. However, if a weak GOP candidate is elected POTUS in 2008, we are almost assured a dem POTUS 2012-2020. Plus, with a dem in the W.H., the congressional GOP will actually fight for some of the things the base believes.
I’m leaning more towards Fred than any other GOP possibility and I still don’t see any way to vote for Rudy with anything resembling a clear conscience.
Frankly, my dear, I don’t believe that Fred gives a da#%.
And BTW, if someone asks Ann Coulter while her memory is fresh, I am sure she’ll confirm that Fred’s descriptive term “TRIVIAL MATTER” was conveniently, accomodatingly
struck…er, edited, from his comments on his NOT GUILTY vote regarding Bill Clinton’s internationally aired deposition and perjury, in the transcripts of the June 5 or 6, 2007 interview of Fred on Hannity and Colmes at Fox News, immediately before her own interview that evening.I don’t believe this hiring was a mistake on Fred’s part - it was merely a further REVELATION of his character.
ABSOLUTELY!
MOST ASSUREDLY!
I won’t violate my conscience for the RINOS, Rudi, Mitt, McCain, Fred, Newt - no matter which part of hte ticket they may occupy.
At least not unless… no, the Devil immitates Miracles… NOT EVEN IF ANY OF THEM WALK ON WATER.
I won’t be blackmailed into voting for them, either.
Remember Gerald Ford, Robert Dole, and especially Dah Ahnold Man.
I’m only a weather vane - NOT THE PROBLEM.
Anyone who wants a GOP victory better find someone to the right of Gerald Ford and Robert Dole and GW Bush, JR. - or else!
On July 26th, 2007 at 3:11 pm, gayle said:
How about Coulter/Rush…….now there’s a THREAT!
LOL!
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
THAT I could go for!
Or, Coulter/Ollie North…. hehehehehe
Taylork,
“I wish some candidate would talk about retaking our urban centers. As someone who has lived in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New Orleans for the past 8 years, the democrat policies in these areas have been unchanged for over 40 years and have been a consistent failure. “
Once again, look at Rudy. 42nd street/Times Square area: when Rudy took office it was basically a slum with little more than a few spooky, dimly-neon-lit porno shops scattered here and there, a couple of newspaper shops and that was essentially it except for the hoods and drug dealers roaming all over the area always looking for very violent trouble. And then after Rudy left office: a spectacular technological wonderland brimming with high finance rolling around it’s squeeky-clean 5-floor stores and tourist attractions. Where once stood a no-mans land now bustles with hundreds of thousands of businessmen, tourists and families on any given day.
And it wasn’t him taking credit for someone else’s work: it was his dream, his (originally widely condemned) plan and his constant spearheading and hands-on effort that did that.
There’s the answer to your question, my friend.
I wonder what other candidates can show that kind of staggering achievement? Seriously, and with much respect I ask, anyone wanna take a shot at that question?
Fred Thompson may have made a mistake in having Abraham be “acting campaign manager.” They guy is a veteran of campaigns and he has not been nominated as Fred’s chief of staff, so I will forgive him for this one. It does bear watching his choices.
For those of you on the fence about Fred, I suggest you read his archives in Townhall:
http://author.nationalreview.com/?q=NDEyMg==
Here is a quote from his piece on illegal immigration:
“We should scrap this “comprehensive” immigration bill and the whole debate until the government can show the American people that we have secured the borders — or at least made great headway. That would give proponents of the bill a chance to explain why putting illegals in a more favorable position than those who play by the rules is not really amnesty.”
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YjEzYTc5YjA2ZGNiZjlmZDJkMTllYmE4MjE3ZmY1OTY=
Here is what he says about Holocaust deniers and the march of radical Islam:
“It’s time for people who believe that they have a stake in Western civilization and its traditions to get a little backbone — even if it offends somebody.”
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NzQ1ZWJmZGJlNGFkNDJmMTdmYmE2ZjIwZjFmYmEzZjk=
Fred Thompson’s writings reveal a lot of his soul. Read what he has to say. He is not politically correct–and I like him for that.
I agree that Rudy has done very good work for urban policy. However, he still needs to come to these areas and tout his achievements. Given that a 1% swing in the vote could change an election (as it has the past two times), it seems like you would need to start laying the ground work to get some of the urban vote.
This is the nightmare I hoped would not occur. Trapped inside a burning house which is surrounded by snipers waiting to whack you if you manage to escape. Meanwhile in the basement are friends ready to lead you through a secret tunnel to safety, only the door to the basement is locked and you don’t have the key.
The burning house is Guiliani, Romney, McCain and Thompson. The snipers are Hillary, Obama and Co. The friends are Tancredo, Hunter and Huckabee.
Republicans will support Thompson or Guiliani. (Real) Conservatives will support Tancredo, Hunter or Huckabee. If Newt’s motivation is America (and not ego) he will engage the best conservative candidate and support that candidacy with advice.
So many of you guys support SECURE BORDERS and also NEWT - yet I saw Newt LAUGHING AT SEAN about the pragmatic views of OPEN BORDERS last fall, before the topic got so hot.
He was more relaxed and was richly enjoying himself at Sean’s expense, even when Sean pointed out that him OPENLY AGREEING WITH ALAN COLMES for open borders and AMNESTY FOR ILLEGALS would hurt him with the American voters.
I don’t know how you guys can be for SECURE BORDERS and support Newt.
Now, I have seen him interviewing the last month denouncing politicians who are openly FOR SHAMNESTY - but he himself is for it, too!
I think he only thought they were stupid for being so BLATANTLY OPEN about it, drawing so much attention to it that they caused it to fail.
YOU WOULD THINK SO TOO IF YOU HAD SEEN THAT INTERVIEW ON HANNITY AND COLMES.
I’m looking at Duncan Hunter and Tancredo - hoping they’d ask John Bolton and Ollie North to be on their teams.
NO VOTE from me on any ticket that includes Newt or Fred or McCain, since I live relatively close to the Mexico border.
I heard Huckabee interviewed on a show on Christian TV for “THE CALL” to a group of teens saying that ILLEGAL ALIENS being given citizenship COULD BE THE KEY TO OVERTURNING Roe V Wade, with their (potential) “FAMILY VALUES” voting.
I thought it a tremendous leap to expect them to vote FAMILY VALUES as defined by anything but DIM ENTITLEMENT programs - yet I cannot say he ADVOCATED giving illegal aliens legal citizens. Still….indicating he saw a tremendous advantage to the teens’ goal for the illegals to become citzens in May of 2007….sounded like a very strong endorsement of Shamnesty to me.
However, I’ve heard NO CLARIFICATION from him to an ADULT AUDIENCE, and saw he demands that TANCREDO pull a statement that says Huckabee is PRO-ILLEGAL ALIEN, and make an apology to him.
Until I hear something exquisitely and meticulously excoriating ILLEGAL ALIEN AMNESTY and OPEN BORDERS, I wouldn’t vote for Huckabee for ANYTHING, and feel he is yet another of those EXPLOITING his “CHRISTIAN” credentials for personal gain.