by James Oliphant
URBANDALE, Iowa--His poll numbers may still be lower than a pot-bellied snake, but former Sen. Fred Thompson has launched a final, folksy push to pull a surprise in the Iowa caucuses.
As part of his "The Clear Conservative Choice: Hands Down!" tour, Thompson is traveling the state in a large bus with his image painted on the side. (Keep those hands down!)
Speaking to a small gathering of 40 rabid supporters here today, Thompson entered a room backed by the American anthems of John Mellencamp. Dressed in a leather jacket, the actor and former politician (or is it former actor and politician), seemed to address some of the criticism that he's been a lazy campaigner. "I'm not out to pad my resume. I'm not here because I'm consumed with political ambition," he said in his trademark Tennessee drawl. "I'm here because I think it would be good for the country."
Thompson spoke largely about his experience in national security as a one-term senator, but more than anything, he offered broad-brush conservative principles as the motivating force behind his candidacy. Strong national defense. Anti-abortion. Small government. He said those principals were under assault from the "left-wing, big government, weak-on-defense Democratic Party – just salivating to lead us back to the welfare state."
The "Law & Order" star said more than a bunch of wonky policy positions, he promised "strong leadership." If you wanted to hear about specific proposals, "I got 'em all laid out in papers. Lots of 'em." But, Thompson said, "you're not electing a set of position papers. You're electing a strong leader at a time when strong leadership is needed."
Thompson asked the crowd who they wanted to sit across the table from some of the world's most formidable leaders.
"YOU!" they hollered.
"Well, I'm available!" Thompson replied.
More than anything, Thompson excelled in offering aphorism for almost every issue. An example of Fred-speak:
On corruption in Congress:
"It was so cold in Washington the other day, the politicians had their hands in their own pockets."
On low taxes:
"A dollar belongs in the pocket of the person who earned it."
On the global struggle against terrorism:
"This is the forces of civilization against the forces of anarchy. And it's us against them."
On not being beholden to special interests:
"I wear no man's collar."
On the challenges the next president will face:
"We don't know what's around the corner. It's gonna take a steady hand on the plow."
On global warming not yet being proven:
"We can't tell if it will rain tomorrow, but we can tell you what happened 1,000 years ago?"
On his capacity to respond to terrorist attacks:
"I don't want to be henny-penny or things of that nature, but I've been there."
On being plain-spoken:
"What you see is what you get and that's what you get with me."
With that, Thompson left the room to the tune of what may be his campaign theme song, "Free and Easy Down the Road I Go" by country singer Dierks Bentley.
In case you are curious, here are the lyrics:
Pair of boots and a sack of clothes
Free and easy down the road I go
Hangin' memories on the high line poles
Free and easy down the road I go
Free and easy down the road I goRagweed's rockin' on the radio
Free and easy down the road I go
So I keep rollin' like an old banjo
Free and easy down the road I goGot the sun shinin' on me like a big spotlight
So I know everything is gonna be alrightAin't no tellin' where the wind might blow
Free and easy down the road I go
Livin' life like a Sunday stroll
Free and easy down the road I go
Free and easy down the road I goIf you only get to go around one time
I'm gonna sit back and try to enjoy the rideI could make a million or wind up broke
Free and easy down the road I go
Can't take it with you when you go so
Free and easy down the road I go
Someday I know it's gonna take me home so
Free and easy down the road I go
Free and easy down the road I go
Unfortunately for Thompson, it wasn't all that free or easy to get out after the event. After meeting with the public for 10 minutes, Thompson hopped on his bus, which then managed to get stuck in the corner of the parking lot. It required some on-the-ground assistance to free it and send it rolling down the road.
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Comments
Who?
Posted by: John E | December 27, 2007 5:15 PM
Who knew the Russians had footage of the Thompson campaign!?
(Note the campaign workers leaving the building.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewQqFFSRPs0
Posted by: C.Morris | December 27, 2007 5:39 PM
Fred's the only one to offer real solutions for our real problems.
He's the only one who "gets-it" about every issue that has ever been discussed.
Elect the man who knows what he's doing.
Posted by: Chris | December 27, 2007 7:13 PM
FRED THOMPSON is the best person to lead this country. He is a true conservative and has been his entire life. All one has to do is check his record to see this.
During my time in the Army as an Intelligence Analyst, I served under both Presidents Carter and Reagan (as my commanders in chief). Without argument, President Reagan was the best commander-in-chief a military person could ever have served under. Fred Thompson possesses the same qualities and vision as President Reagan in that he is strong on national defense and sees a dire need to secure our borders and control immigration.
I can think of no better person to lead this country and fix the problems we have. He is the only candidate from either party who has specific and detailed plans on border security and immigration reform; revitalization of America’s armed forces; saving and protecting Social Security; and tax relief and economic growth. These are detailed on his Web site at www.fred08.com . I challenge you to find any other candidate who has laid out specific plans to fix anything.
Fred Thompson has published his first principles, some of which are mentioned above. In addition to those, he strongly believes in individual liberty, personal responsibility, limited government, federalism, traditional American values, the rule of law and is a strong proponent of the Second Amendment — all concepts established during the birth of our country and documented in our Constitution.
Again, try to find any candidate who has laid out their plans to “fix” this country. You will find they all speak in vague and abstract terms on their plans.
For those who have heard Fred Thompson speak, you will usually hear him say that the Fred Thompson you see today is the same Fred Thompson you saw yesterday and is the same Fred Thompson you will see tomorrow. He stands by his principles and values and doesn’t shift his positions based on polls or public opinion; in other words, he doesn’t say what the voters want to hear just to get elected, but remains steadfast on his views and convictions.
During his time in the Senate he focused on three areas: to lower taxes, strengthen national security and expose waste in the federal government. Fred Thompson has foreign policy experience, having served as member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Senate Intelligence committees.
As chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, he opened the investigation in 1997 on the Chinese government’s attempt to influence American policies and elections, and this investigation identified connections with the Clinton administration (documented in the committee’s report).
As a member of the Finance Committee, he worked tirelessly to enact three major tax-cut bills. Fred Thompson remains steadfast and even though a person may not agree with all his views and he understands some may disagree with him, you can count on him to be consistent and unwavering.
Don’t be fooled by his laid back approach and what critics call his “laziness.” As a former assistant U.S. attorney, he earned a reputation as a tough prosecutor and he possesses the toughness this country needs in order to tackle today’s and tomorrow’s issues.
I ask that you take a hard look at what this country needs, then take a hard look at all the other candidates’ views, policies, their records and their track record on consistency. Fred Thompson possesses integrity, loyalty, commitment, energy and decisiveness, all traits of an effective leader, and will emerge as the best person to take this country boldly forward.
Please help Fred win in Iowa:
https://www.fred08.com/contribute.aspx?RefererID=c637caaa-315c-4b4c-9967-08d864cd0791
Posted by: Frederick Paxson | December 27, 2007 7:34 PM
"Thompson hopped on his bus, which then managed to get stuck in the corner of the parking lot."
A HA HA HA HO HO HO Hee Hee! What an excellent metaphor for the pointless 'campaign' of Grandpa Fred. '40 rabid supporters': A ha ha ha...phew.
Grandpa Fred: Are those Depends you're wearing or are you just waking up from your nap?
Posted by: weinerdog43 | December 27, 2007 7:38 PM
Small government. He said those principals were under assault from the "left-wing, big government, weak-on-defense Democratic Party – just salivating to lead us back to the welfare state."
Yeah, who knew the neocons under Bush could INCREASE the size of government, ruin our military and turn Iraq into a welfare state? Take us boldly forward into oblivion, Fred.
Posted by: dt | December 27, 2007 8:27 PM
'40 rabid supporters'
Yeah, Weiner, it's sadly hilarious. Geez. Only 40 Urbandalers?
Posted by: C.Morris | December 27, 2007 9:04 PM
On low taxes:
"A dollar belongs in the pocket of the person who earned it."
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So Fred is in favor of eliminating the military, our police force and our fire departments, after all, they depend on taxes.
I don't like taxes either, but reality demands them. Let's talk about taxes responsibly, not in idiotic platitudes like Fred and the entire GOP uses.
Posted by: Bruce Y | December 27, 2007 9:07 PM
Those little snippets of wisdom sound like the sayings of an old man rocking away on a back porch somewhere, with a coon dog and a plug of tabakky at his side.
Which is what Fred Thompson should be at this moment. Old people have had the run of this country for too long.
Posted by: Frankie Machine | December 27, 2007 9:38 PM
But wait. Freddie is a celebrity. So many republicrite swampers have been complaining about celebrity endorsements. Isn't fred's campaign a self-endorsement? You have to abandon him for that alone. No more ronnie rayguns and herr gropinators for office for us. We need real legislators, not failed stars acting as failed politicians.
Posted by: rncbs | December 27, 2007 11:24 PM
Fred Thompson is a Hollywood celebrity, and we all know connies hate them. So no, fred is not the man for us.
Posted by: rncbs | December 28, 2007 12:04 AM
"We can't tell if it will rain tomorrow, but we can tell you what happened 1,000 years ago?"
Yes, Fred, its called "HISTORY"... Some of us learn it in the hopes of not repeating the less savory parts of it.
Posted by: Smirky McFlightsuit | December 28, 2007 8:24 AM
Fred has dissappointed me. I thought he would be a shot in the arm to the Republican party, who have a slate of underwhelming candidates. Instead, he comes off as lazy and/or disinterested, and lacks the wit that I thought would make him successful in live debates. After he tanks in Iowa and New Hampshire, I bet he drops out.
Posted by: Herbie H. | December 28, 2007 11:51 AM
Fred needs some new script-writers.
Posted by: Catherine | December 28, 2007 2:52 PM
What we need is leadership not laziness.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b2nNwj_gzw
Posted by: Brently | December 28, 2007 3:58 PM