The Reagan Paper of Record endorses Fred Dalton Thompson for President. Here are some excerpts. You can read the entire article at the link here:
The 2008 presidential election is the most unusual and most important in many years. It’s been more than five decades since such a race didn’t feature an incumbent President or Vice President. Since World War II, America has not had a presidential election at a time when the stakes were higher. Conservatives have to win this election, and to do so, we have to identify a candidate around whom we all can rally.
Fundamental Beliefs
We begin by recalling the profound words of Ronald Reagan at the Conservative Political Action Conference Feb. 15, 1975: “A political party cannot be all things to all people. It must represent certain fundamental beliefs which must not be compromised to political expediency or simply to swell its numbers.” We believed that then, and we believe it now. The issue for us — and for the conservative community — boils down to which of the candidates is most representative of the fundamental conservative principles we believe in. The answer is Fred Thompson.
To reach that conclusion, we looked closely at the former Tennessee senator and his opponents to judge whether they measure up to conservative standards. Some come close, and others clearly do not.
Sen. John McCain of Arizona is a war hero whose personal courage sustained many of the men imprisoned with him in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton.” We honor him, but he does not honor many conservative principles…
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is a charming and agreeable gentleman. But his support for the economically disastrous “cap-and-trade” fix for global warming is as bad as Sen. McCain’s position on the issue. The so-called “fair tax” he supports is unworkable. His tax-and-spend policies do not comport with conservative principles, but they do align all too well with Huckabee’s populist rhetoric on the injustice of corporate CEO salaries. His stance on granting special benefits to the children of illegal aliens is also very troubling. On the war, Gov. Huckabee’s understanding of the issues does not impress us… Gov. Huckabee’s grasp of foreign policy does not make us comfortable.
Rep. Ron Paul’s limited-government rhetoric is appealing to many conservatives, but his unyielding isolationism that might have been appropriate for another era is not realistic…
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani did an admirable job bringing his city through the crisis of 9/11. Even before that terrible day, he did a commendable job cleaning up Gotham. But the mayor’s pro-abortion, pro-gun control, pro-gay rights social views are more liberal than conservative. And his foreign policy views are of considerable concern. His article in Foreign Affairs late last year seemed less conservative than neo-Wilsonian.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is a closer call. We believe his relatively new pro-life position is a sincere one, but examining his record and listening to his campaign rhetoric indicate to us that he is more a problem-solver than a gut conservative.
…
Which brings us back to Sen. Fred Thompson.
We make this endorsement on the basis of much research, having interviewed Sen. Thompson and some of his opponents, as well as examining what they have all said and done. We conclude that Thompson is a solid conservative whose judgment is grounded in our principles…
..
Sen. Thompson, you suffer, like most conservatives, from the built-in problem of not being a professional politician. It’s precisely as Rush Limbaugh said of you: “The problem with Thompson is, and a little bit with me, is I’m a depth guy. I like depth. Television doesn’t reward depth. Television rewards zingers, one-liners, cutesyisms. Fred Thompson produced a brilliant 17-minute video that was on YouTube that explains everything about every issue that he cares about. It’s clear he’s thought deeply about a whole lot.”
January 11th, 2008 at 10:00 am
As a Rombot, I like this. Anything that would pull votes away from the Huckster is a good thing. Beside….a Romney/Thompson ticket looks great to me…..
January 11th, 2008 at 10:12 am
#1 JohioW
I’d love to see a Romney/Thompson ticket but I don’t think that will happen. If Romney did team up with Thompson and Rudy is in with McCain that would leave poor Huckabee all by himself (unless he wanted to team up with Ron Paul..LOL).
Again, I don’t think it will happen but then again who really knows.
Any comments on the following article?
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/1/10/2713/87225/55/434206
Personally it sickens me that the Democrats are able to do this to our primary. If Romney is to win Michigan I want it to be without the help of the Democrats.
January 11th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Tommy – was this the big endorsement you were hinting at yesterday?
January 11th, 2008 at 10:30 am
True blue conservatives know that this is a HUGE endorsement.
January 11th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Good for Thompson. He was great last night.
Ray.
I don’t care what the motives of the kosakos are to support Romney, is a good thing. Anything that help to stop the McRino is good.
January 11th, 2008 at 10:34 am
RayinNH,
It’s one of them. There are more on the way soon. This is big news.
January 11th, 2008 at 10:36 am
6
Today??
January 11th, 2008 at 10:40 am
#7- Not likely today, but I could be wrong.
Human Events is the paper of Phylis Schafly, Novak, Clarence Jeffrey and Jed Babbin.
January 11th, 2008 at 10:40 am
#5 Falz,
As a Romney supporter I know he needs to win Michigan, it just bothers me that the Democrats have this kind of power in a GOP primary, it’s absurd.
January 11th, 2008 at 10:44 am
#8 Tommy,
Congratulations on your candidates performance last night, I hope Fred does well in SC.
What are your thoughts on a Romney/Thompson ticket? I know you think Fred would endorse McCain but Hypothetically speaking if a Romney/Thompson ticket were to happen what do you think their chances would be? The field is so out of whack that anyone could win and I think teaming up now could really help both of them.
January 11th, 2008 at 10:50 am
For someone who is not at all plugged into this community, can someone else please put this endorsement into prospective. It sounds meaningless to me, but you guys know more about this and seem to think that it is a big deal.
January 11th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Tommy – good news. I just hope it’s not too late for him. He is my very very very strong #2, my number 3 is way down the list. I’ve warmed up to a Thompson/Romney ticket in any order – Romney could be a VP as he would be 68 in 2016 or 64 in 2012.
January 11th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Ray,
I have really warmed up to the idea. I started this campaign being very anti-Romney, but he has really shown me something over the months that I’ve covered the race. I like all the guys, but besides Thompson, Romney has impressed me a lot, especially over the last month.
Of course, Romney had a lot more to prove to me than a Rudy Giuliani, who I was very well aware of and familiar with, but Romney has gone from unacceptable to a candidate that I’d be comfortable with as the GOP nominee.
I would love to see a Thompson/Romney, Romney/Thompson ticket. They balance each other out extremely well.
January 11th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Tommy – it is great to have you on board with Thompson/Romney ‘08.
Having 2 “Ray’s” on this post makes things difficult.
January 11th, 2008 at 10:57 am
11
HUMAN EVENTS is the news source President Reagan called his “favorite newspaper†and we still hold high the Reaganesque principles of free enterprise, limited government and, above all, a staunch, unwavering defense of American freedom.
HUMAN EVENTS gives voice to the great conservative thinkers of our era — Robert Novak, Michelle Malkin, L. Brent Bozell, Terence Jeffrey, Bruce Bartlett, Thomas Sowell, David Limbaugh, Oliver North, Pat Buchanan and many more.
January 11th, 2008 at 10:58 am
15-Yes, but what does it translate to at this time in real votes/momentum for Thompson?
January 11th, 2008 at 11:00 am
13
My thoughts exactly.
January 11th, 2008 at 11:00 am
I think a Thompson/Romney, Romney/Thompson would get the essential support from the base to get a win. Any combo with a Huck or McCain would not get the enthusiasitc support we will need for a win.
January 11th, 2008 at 11:01 am
#13 Tommy,
Yes, I remember a while ago you were anti-Romney, like you I had formed an opinion on Thompson before I got to know him, over the last few months Fred has really grown on me, I have so much more respect for the man then I did before he announced in September. It’s nice to see you warm up to the idea of a Romney/Thompson (either order) ticket, I really do think it together they could blow this GOP field away, true conservatives are begging for someone to break out of the pack, why not both Fred and Mitt together!…Thanks for your thoughts and opinions.
January 11th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Eric the way this race is going, your guess is as good as mine.
January 11th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Tommy and RayinNH. . . As a Romney guy myself, I’ve been liking Thompson more each day over the past month or so, and would be happy with that ticket as well. I didn’t really consider it specifically until yesterday when I heard about Romney pulling ads from SC, and then seeing neither candidate go after each other at the debate. I think a Romney/FDT ticket (in either order) would be very appealing to the widest group of GOP voters.
January 11th, 2008 at 11:04 am
#14 RayinNH
“Having 2 “Ray’s†on this post makes things difficult.”
I agree, I could change my name to “RayinRI” since I just recentley moved to RI, what do you think? Would that make if even more confusing…LOL
January 11th, 2008 at 11:06 am
I had been against that ticket for quite some time due to Fred’s health and assuming Romney would top the ticket … Obviously, I have been taken over by that ticket and would readily embrace it … Perhaps we could see a Thompson/Romney ticket come out of a brokered convention …. I am fairly certain that ticket would be very well received by the “Establishment” and “Conservative ‘talking heads’”
January 11th, 2008 at 11:07 am
or we could call ourselves Ray1 and Ray2
January 11th, 2008 at 11:08 am
#2 Ray. . . I also hate the idea of non-GOP voters deciding our leaders, even in a case where it could help my guy (Romney). Ironically, though, in the case of Michigan, a lot of the voters Romney appeals to are the auto workers who are taking the brunt of the bad economy in that state. In at least some cases, those pushing the idea of Dems voting for Romney in the primary may be preaching to the choir. Romney can and should take advantage of his business skills and understanding of economic revitalization and really push his experience in his Michigan campaign rather than allow others to define him as an icon of corporate greed.
January 11th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Giuliani is asking his staffers to work for free … wtf is going on with his campaign??
January 11th, 2008 at 11:09 am
#24 RayinNH
Like in Dr.Suess (Thing1 & Thing2)
Oh, that would really be confusing!
January 11th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Glad you caught that reference so quickly …
January 11th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Other than Reagan in ‘76 picking PA Gov. Schweiker for his VP before the nomination (to appeal to the moderate wing of the party), I don’t know of any case where a ticket formed before the nomination process was complete. It would be an interesting development.
January 11th, 2008 at 11:13 am
#25 alaska jake,
I agree 100%
#28 RayinNH
It was the first thing that came to mind
#29 alaska jake,
I agree, it would be intesting and I think the timing with the field the way it is would be perfect right now.
January 11th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Ray (#9) what comes around goes around, repubs have the same power. I just think the dem are making a mistake to think that Romney is their best hope. Romney came debate with Obama, he can debate with Hillary about social security and healthcare. Romney need every vote in Michigan and that’s the only thing that matters.
January 11th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Ray,
Re: #2,
It sounds like the Dems want to make Mitt the Sanjaya of Michigan…
January 11th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Tommy, Dang! I was hoping for a Mitt/Fred ticket announcement!
January 11th, 2008 at 11:44 am
#32 Aron,
“It sounds like the Dems want to make Mitt the Sanjaya of Michigan…”
I’m only admitting that I get that reference because my 10yr old son is an Idol fan, that
is my story and I’m sticking to it
January 11th, 2008 at 11:45 am
#33 SGS,
Now that would be huge news
January 11th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Ooh. Nice endorsement!
Human Events also included Romney on a mid-2000’s list of Top 10 RINO’s in the country!
LOL!