"Fred: Sober and Serious"

Source:  The Politico – 8/25/2007

Thoughts:  For a “non-campaign,” Fred Thompson does add a little flavor to the 2008 race.  While some members of the GOP try to compare Fred with Ronald Reagan, I find one stark difference between the two.  Reagan ran with a message of America’s greatness, commonly referred to as a “shining city upon a hill.”  Fred, on the other hand, has taken a more realistic approach, highlighting the dire issues facing his party and the country today.  In his latest speech, Fred becomes the anti-Reagan and describes the US as a weaker and divided nation, and that it will not be an easy road to recovery.  Is he the man that will turn our nation around?  At the moment no, since he still has not formally entered the race, and unless he acts soon, he might end up joining Newt on the sidelines.

Article:  “Fred: Sober and Serious”
By Jonathan Martin

INDIANAPOLIS — Fred Thompson thinks the country faces a tough road ahead and he’s not glossing over the problems we face. In fact, he’s anxious to outline the daunting litany and appears to be basing his forthcoming campaign on the assumption that his party shares the same outlook.

In a 25-minute after-dinner speech to attendees of the Midwestern Republican Leadership Conference here, Thompson offered a stark assessment of what he described as America’s perilous condition.

(Article continues.)

“I simply believe that on the present course that we’re going to be a weaker, less prosperous, more divided nation than what we have been,” Thompson told the crowd in a deep baritone that rarely strayed from an even tone. “I do not say that lightly, but I think it’s the truth. And I think the American people are ready for the truth.”

There are three major challenges, Thompson said, and none are being given appropriate attention or sufficient commitment. National security (“our country’s in danger; it’s going to be that way for a long time to come”), the economy (“we are doing steady damage to our economy, that if we don’t do things better it’s going to result in economic disaster for future generations”) and the polarization, cynicism and incompetence gripping the capital (“in order to have leadership you got to have somebody who’s going to follow; our people follow, but they don’t have any confidence in what’s being said or who’s saying it”).

And Thompson’s tonic for these thorny matters?

Well, befitting his still not yet being a formal candidate he didn’t have specific solutions. Instead he returned to what he calls “first principles.”

“I don’t think the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States are outmoded documents,” Thompson declared, finally giving the crowd something to clap about after the gloomy bill of particulars was laid out. Federalism or devolving power to the states would help, he said. Also, the rule of law, the market economy, respect for private property, free trade and competition came in for praise — hardly dangerous ground among conservative activists.

Perhaps recognizing that all his rhetoric was depressing a crowd that given him a loud and extended welcome, Thompson said it was very much possible for things to turn around. “We know how to do that, we’ve done it so many times before,” he reminded.

(Read the rest of the article here.)