Interesting take on why Fred Thompson should be John McCain’s choice for Vice-President.
I refuse to let Fred Thompson’s impacts on the 08 elections just die and be forgotten. He was too loved, revered and respected for that. His message of core-conservatism and Federalism was the best we’ve seen from a Republican in over 20 years. He was fearless in discussing issues that are considered taboo – even suicidal for a presidential hopeful. But Fred did it, and he did it convincingly. We owe him a great deal of admiration and gratitude for his willingness at honest engagement on our nation’s perplexing problems.
It was Fred who time and again pointed out that our entitlement program was driving our country bankrupt and promising to send America into chaos and oblivion. That we were “bankrupting the next generation and those yet to be born,” that was Fred’s classic communication. He told America, that we must prioritize our spending and cut back on wasteful practices if we were to reverse the national debt and secure for future generations the American dream. He knew if he said it America would listen, and if America listened, then Washington would be forced to consider.
That was Fred Thompson. Not the character the media created.
It was Fred who engineered a tax reform policy that received high accolades from institutional think-tanks to the open press. Fred led the way on the issue. He advocated giving our corporations a fair chance in the global economy, not punish them. He knew and articulated that taxing cash flow was counterproductive to growth and wanted to reduce the corporate tax that is the highest out of any modern industrial economy today.
This is Fred Thompson.
It was Fred who made immigration a perennial issue among the leading candidates. He never relinquished from the fact that America could not sustain its current immigration doctrine — a nation that couldn’t control its borders would not remain a sovereign nation. He went deeper and further by not just going after illegal immigrants but by going after the companies and cities that supplied the demand. Additionally, he advocated for allowing the federal agencies to work with the local agencies for a transparent national initiative.
Again, Federalism was the guiding principle for Fred’s policies.
On abortion Fred held true to his guiding principles that Federalism was the best way into working through America’s greatest moral debate since slavery. He refused to advocate a Constitutional amendment and flatly rejected it – that’s not Federalism – instead he advocated letting the states decide among themselves. True republic engineering that allows the people to decide was the best policy in his view. He vehemently derided the Supreme Court for dictating the states’ affairs through judicial activism. Quiet simply, he called Roe v. Wade “bad medicine.”
On appointing conservative-constitutionalist Supreme Court judges, Fred knew the importance on deciding correctly for the next appointment. Judicial activism and progressive ideology has helped to create some of our social calamities. He knew that the Constitution was created for a reason and that reason was for liberty, freedom, prosperity and inalienable rights benefiting to all.
Fred reminded America on the ongoing threat to our national security and constantly reminded everyone that radical Islam would be the new challenge in this new century and for this generation. Appeasement and containment was not in the nation’s interest, he said. Instead, he led the front by advocating higher military spending and expansion of capabilities. That offense and leading the way would be the best course of action to prevent another attack on America’s soil.
There was no time for discussion the war had begun and Fred was unapologetic for that.
These are but a few of Fred Thompson’s ideas and visions of a stronger, more prosperous and secure nation. The core-conservatives missed their chance or maybe deprived from reclaiming a new leader and communicator that would inject new direction and vitality into the nation. Fred Thompson was not larger than life, more than human, or a fantasy character from the screen. He was more than that. He was personal, sympathetic, and concerned about our country. He was one of us, a true core-conservative with a desire to lead and answer the call of duty.
So if John McCain is still confused and troubled over his choices for Vice President, perhaps he and his advisers should revisit some of Fred Thompson’s endearing qualities and guiding principles. If McCain and his people were really wishing to unite the Party they need to look at what the Party stands for and is, and to many it’s Fred Thompson.
But would Fred accept if John was smart enough to offer?
