Posted by
T N McCoy on Thursday, June 07, 2007 2:49:58 PM
When I read some posted comments about Fred Thompson, especially those from the left, I'm saddened at so much mis-understanding or mis-interpretation of the political process, campaign preparation, and individuals in public life---not for all individuals, of course. Some public figures are so weakly transparent as to be wispy enough to blow away with a few, well-chosen comments. And rightly so. Others of their ilk seem to have lead shoes. But in the end, their true colors will come out as they [hopefully] fade away with their cousins.
Fred Thompson isn't officially running for the Presidency yet. It's his call, so stop carping about his position in the field. When he announces, he'll be coming forward with his specific ideas and ways of doing things. Right now, on the sidelines, he doesn't have to take part in the sometimes inane political posturing by the official candidates for the Presidency. And he doesn't have to present solutions to all our problems at once and before he's declared. Talk about cheek! Some of you critics want everything settled before the man is officially in. What's the matter? Afraid there isn't enough there to attack? Trying to trip him up somewhere?
The radio comments and essays on Townhall and a number of other places tell us what Fred Thompson believes, and they give good background information on his thought processes. I can think of no other Presidential candidate who would [or has] put his thoughts on paper so often. With the others, we have to research snippets from their speeches, support [sometimes with only a name and no real understanding or backing] for legislation, and video and audio clips. Their interviews are quite often fluff, with no real answering of questions. [see The Politician's Guide to Answering a Tough Question Without Really Answering It.] By writing down your thoughts, no one is going to be spinning your words as: mis-understood, taken out of context, mis-spoken, and other wimpy denials resulting from the dreaded foot-in-the-mouth disease---or, of course, the poll-dropping-political-position-commentitis.
Since Fred Thompson's personal views are public, he will not be an unknown entering the Presidential race. I know more about his beliefs than those of any other Presidential wannabe of either party. As Will Rogers used to say: "All I know is what I read in the papers." Well, we can now expand that to include television, radio, and the Internet. But even with my paying attention to these media, I still know more about Fred Thompson's personal beliefs in his own words than any other candidate.
If you're worried about his past memberships or affiliations, why don't you get down off your soapboxes and ask the man? Isn't that why there's a spot at the top of each Townhall essay for anyone to send him an e-mail? And why fry him for all past associations. I was a Democrat before becoming a Republican. So was Ronald Reagan. Does that disqualify us for political positions? [Well, I'm not running for anything, and Reagan was elected President twice.]
So his wife is younger than him. Big deal. That seems to be a rallying point for some of you critics who can't find much else to carp about---although you keep trying. Such comments and attacks as I've seen tells me a lot of people---predominately the left---are seriously worried about Fred's candidacy, and they're frantically looking for attack ammunition.
And attacks by supporters of the lower tier of Republican candidates are sad. It's nice to support someone you believe in, but do you really know all there is to know? And if this candidate is so great, why is he in the bottom tier? Say good things about him if you will, but then support someone who's close to your position and can be elected.
When Fred Thompson officially enters the race, I expect some of these other candidates from the lower tiers of the field to pack it in. He'll be in a commanding position because of his respect for the voters in writing to us about what he believes. Forget about books. Their information is carefully considered for impact, spun as needed, and often filled with mis-interpretations and mis-understandings of fact---sometimes purposely. Why don't all these other candidates write a series of essays about their beliefs and views on numerous situations? Do they expect us to blindly trust them based on a few speeches and fluff interviews? Of course they won't be doing it anytime soon. They don't want anything substantial down in writing where they have no chance of denying they ever wrote/said it.
I'm looking forward to Fred Thompson's joining the fray. I think the political arena will get a fresh coating of truth and backbone.