Archive for October, 2007

Bounce Back?

Posted by: Jason | October 22nd, 2007 · 8:52 PM

(image: bloomberg)

It’s important to read between the lines when analyzing post-debate news coverage. Within the Republican Party’s peculiar quest to find its nominee for president this year, where a day can literally move a candidate 5 points in either direction, that statement rings truer than ever. But make no mistake about it, despite the various talking heads and their spin machines battling to insist otherwise, Fred Thompson did himself a lot of good this weekend if the press is any indicator.

I want to explain some of my behavior lately. I’ve been writing (both public and private) a series of messages to friends and family, as well as on this blog, statements that may appear troubling or paranoid with respect to my support for Senator Thompson. But it was all done for a purpose, and I think my own statements, as well as others on countless blogs that could become full supporters of Fred, were if nothing else designed to wake the candidate up. I believe this happened last night in Fox’s Florida GOP debate.

It was a theory of mine, for some time (call me crazy), that media networks care nothing for message but only for sparks when it comes to political debates. They could care less if your answer about Turkey’s role in Iraq showed poise and foreign policy know-how. Damn that! Just check out this skirmish between Mitt and Rudy!

So apparently Thompson takes my advice last night (as well as some smarter people in Washington no doubt) that he needs to tell us WHY he should be the nominee… and not Rudy. Well he did, and he did it well. And Thompson’s factual claim that Rudy is a sanctuary city-supporting, gun-opposing, pro-choice, Mario Cuomo-supporting, tax cut denying liberal from NYC should be one of many statements to come in the future.

Why? I’ll explain. “This guy wants to win now doesn’t he?”, a quote by Chris Matthews. “Thompson showed fire, something he’s lacked lately”, Charles Krauthammer. “I kind of like a guy that is genuine and doesn’t seem to stay up all night thinking about how to run my life”, Tucker Carlson. And these are just 3 quotes I heard within an hour news cycle tonight over dinner.

Does it really matter what Chris Matthews, Tucker Carlson, or Charles Krauthammer think? No, it doesn’t. Well… maybe so with regard to Charles. But I believe the lack of Thompson coverage in favor of the Mitt/Rudy jab saga in prior debates, coupled with the constant (and unfair) drip campaign of “Thompson is lazy” we’ve come to know, sunk in with people, even me. Thompson needed to say “no sir, that’s wrong”, and I believe it has.

More >>>

Add us: Digg | Del.icio.us | Technorati

Huck Dominates Values Voters Summit

Posted by: Jason | October 20th, 2007 · 8:58 PM

(image: foxnews)

In case you didn’t hear yet… Mike Huckabee (the only real conservative that seems to want to win the race) dominated the Values Voter Straw Poll from this weekend’s events. Huckabee came in with an astounding 51%, more than quadrupling a second-place Romney. The former Arkansas governor positions himself to gain momentum after social conservative Sam Brownback exits the race on Friday and Christians continue to search for their candidate of choice.

Fred Thompson, who continues to suck, came in third at 8%, just above Tom Tancredo (yeah… a guy who doesn’t even have a chance at winning). So that’s right folks, a former Massachusetts, pro-choice, “I’ll defend gay rights more than Ted Kennedy, pandering politician who will say just about anything to get elected in the Republican Party, at virtually all cost to his dignity and honor (as if he has any left), just beat the supposed conservative champion of the electable squad, Fred Thompson, at a “values voter” summit (cue panic).

Fred Thompson, my pick to win the nomination (this is fading VERY fast now folks), continues to suck suck suck, because he’s boring boring boring, and because of a lack-of-structure speech giving style second only to Alan Keyes. Reagan was once considered a “laid-back guy” too, but then again, I’ve seen Reagan’s speech for Barry Goldwater in 1964 that launched his career. Thompson’s speeches are hardly Reagan, they’re more grandfather talking to you about the birds and the bees.

This leads one to ask even further. If Thompson can’t win a friggen majority at a values voter summit (how EASIER can we conservatives put it on a platter for this man?), how could he possibly win a general election? By contrast, Mike Huckabee, who is much more solidly social conservative, who has pledged to end the IRS (more specific than any Thompson proposal), who looks presidential, and who speaks more inspiring than any other candidate in the race (in both parties… yes… including Barack Obama), continues to gain steam, even tying with Thompson in the latest Iowa polls.

Here’s one guy who’s taking another look at the governor. Because so far, the only beef I can find with the guy is that he raised a… umm… highway tax once. Yeah… I’m scared. Damn the claims of social spending, I’ll trade a Christian president paying his alms for certainty on judges, competence, inspiration, and the end of the IRS. We’re selling ourselves short my friends by writing off a pro-life southern governor for an adulter, a fraud, an 80-year old, and a total dud. Huckabee just might be the real deal. Time will tell.

Add us: Digg | Del.icio.us | Technorati

Tommy! Endorses Rudy

Posted by: Jason | October 12th, 2007 · 12:49 PM

In the first endorsement from a former GOP presidential candidate, Tommy! has thrown his hat in and endorsed Rudy Giuliani for president:

“Rudy Giuliani has shown that he is a true leader. He can and will win the nomination and the presidency. He is America’s mayor, and during a period of time of great stress for this country he showed tremendous leadership,” Thompson, the former Wisconsin governor, said in a statement obtained by the Associated Press.

Add us: Digg | Del.icio.us | Technorati

Fred Tanks

Posted by: Jason | · 12:41 PM

(image: carryonamerica)

In the midst of the real beginning for the Fred Thompson campaign, it would be unfair of me to paint the picture as rosy for the former Tennessee senator thus far. Whether due to media reports of him not living up to the hype, or… him really not living up to the hype… the numbers are reality and they don’t lie.

PP has largely taken its cues from the Rasmussen Reports Poll which we find to be the most accurate on a yearly basis. According to recent polls, tracked daily, Fred Thompson’s national numbers have now dipped well below that of Rudy Giuliani’s. Giuliani has opened up a double digit lead over Thompson, at 29% over Fred’s 18%. Just two weeks ago, and before Thompson’s first debate performance, those numbers were in reverse. As well, Thompson has enjoyed a national lead over Giuliani for the bulk of the summer. So much for an “entering the race” bump, it’s just the opposite.

In further bad news for Thompson, the senator’s numbers against Hillary are abysmal. Thompson looses nationally to Senator Clinton 52% to 37%, sharply down from before he entered the race. Rudy’s numbers are closer, loosing to Hillary by 48% to 41%.

Of course, these numbers are tracked nationally and the real contest will be within the states. Additional momentum and good press could be taken by a strong showing in real elections. Thompson is polling in second place in the state of Iowa, who holds the first primary vote, and is competitive in South Carolina, Florida, and Michigan. But if national numbers are an indicator of what’s to come in state polling, Fred hasn’t become the conservative juggernaut that some have hoped for.

But allow me to offer up my own commentary. I’ll say this… I’m not panicked yet. Thompson has the skills and the tools to become a formidable candidate. He’s making up for lost ground in not joining the other candidates sooner, and is hardly used to the debate format. But there is one thing that Thompson may have miscalculated… Republicans are at a disadvantage this year, a MAJOR disadvantage. The American people are tired of the party of Bush, and whether the Democrats are offering up real change or not, they’re viewed as such.

If any Republican wants to win in 2008 he’s going to have to fight like hell to stay alive. He’s going to have to show he wants it, and explain why he’s different from George W. Bush. He’s going to have to offer up proposals that bring the party back to its roots. This approach has yet to be taken by Fred Thompson, who has thus far talked in generalities as opposed to supporting a fair tax like Mike Huckabee, a threat to veto any budget over -1% under inflation such as Romney, or an endorsement of a set of commitments like Rudy Giuliani. What we’re seeing from Fred Thompson thus far is well… Bush (only from a much taller guy).

Hillary presents us an opportunity in her past polling numbers nationally, but those numbers are increasingly going up week to week (yes… even likability). Beating her into submission is the only way to win, and it’s possible that conservatives have put too much stock in the “good ol’ guy” from Tennessee. We will soon see, Thompson has some correcting to do. But even this conservative who has fervently awaited his candidacy is not seeing anything special yet.

Add us: Digg | Del.icio.us | Technorati

Some Thoughts On Rudy

Posted by: Jason | October 11th, 2007 · 12:46 PM

(image: nytimes.com)

I want to preface this little exercise in exploring the Republican field with the fact that I’m a Fred Thompson man. We here at PP have listed countless discussions over Thompson’s candidacy and feel the man to be the most conservative of the electable candidates, as proven in his past history of cutting taxes, scoring well with pro-life organizations, and being a states rights man.

But the question of “what if Fred doesn’t do it” keeps coming up in my mind. I must admit, I’m a bit more skeptical than my counterpart Lee is. I tend to constantly ask him questions like “if you had to vote for a guy other than Thompson, who would it be?”. He responds with the same reassuring comment each time, “do you really see Rudy or Mitt winning South Carolina?”. I suppose I don’t.

More >>>

Add us: Digg | Del.icio.us | Technorati

Liberal Democrats For Ron Paul

Posted by: Jason | October 9th, 2007 · 3:55 PM

(image: aftermathnews)

Sparing you all the wasted moments in life you’d give up by actually visiting the Ron Paul website, I took the liberty of checking in today with the campaign that keeps on giving (lunatic rantings and spastic fans).

For the “rational” Ron Paul supporters among us (I don’t suppose they exist but just in case…), it may interest you to know that Congressman Paul’s website features a giant banner on the homepage claiming “Party Affiliation Change Deadlines!”, a helpful link designed to give information to all non-Republicans seeking to vote for Ron Paul.

Gee… Call me silly… but why would the “only true conservative” in this race be resorting to the recruitment of liberal Democrats, independents, and other troubled souls belonging to loser third party movements? Answer? You guessed it… Ron Paul is not a Republican!

If you get anything out of this short lived Ron Paul moment here at PP, know this. As my partner here correctly pointed out today, Paul’s stockpile of cash won’t go to the eventual nominee of his “supposed party” in 2008, he’ll simply horde it for future congressional races. We believe this to be deceptive, manipulative, and if Ron Paul had any courage or decency he’d cease in lying to his supporters about any real chance of winning the nomination to profit in campaign cash.

Add us: Digg | Del.icio.us | Technorati