THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
An Online Journal of Political Commentary & Analysis
Volume IX, Issue # 121, June 27, 2007
Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr., Editor
Government Committed to & Acting in Accord with Conservative Principles
Ensures a Nation's Strength, Progress, & Prosperity
FRED THOMPSON'S GREATEST CHALLENGE
By Christopher G. Adamo
FRED THOMPSON, CONSERVATISM, & THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: THOMPSON AS THE FRONT RUNNER
IN THE CONTEST FOR NOMINATION AS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT -- THOMPSON'S METHOD
OF PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNING -- MOVING FORWARD ACCORDING TO A WELL CONSTRUCTED PLAN, WITH REFRESHING
DIRECTNESS & COMMONSENSE IN DEFENDING CONSERVATIVE PRINCIPLES RELATING TO THE ISSUES OF THE DAY --
BLUNTLY STATING POSITIONS THAT ARE IN TUNE WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
FULL STORY:
Former Senator Fred Thompson, as yet a non-declared candidate for President, has just surpassed Rudy Giuliani in the
Rasmussen poll. Grassroots Conservatives, though jubilant, are not surprised. He consistently shows himself to be of the
stuff America wants, and which more importantly, it needs.
But, as predictable as is Thompson’s success, given his approach to presidential campaigning, so is the growing
profusion of “conventional wisdom” being offered to him from those supposed allies whose efforts have not been nearly
as successful.
Thus far, he has not spent an exorbitant amount of money on his presidential bid. Rather, he continues to bring to this
otherwise predictable campaign a refreshing element of directness not seen within the GOP in many years.
Some are attempting to minimize his current success by claiming that he is only shining brightly because he is not yet
officially in the race. Others attribute it to his being an actor, and thus a “great communicator.” But neither supposition
accurately explains the Thompson phenomenon.
The nature of the public limelight and accompanying scrutiny since the advent of the alternative media is such that the
actual announcement is merely a formality required for the legal record. Thompson has had every opportunity to rise or
fall on the merits of his statements and his beliefs. And this component of his campaigning will not significantly change
once he becomes official.
As to being a “great communicator,” such comparisons to Ronald Reagan by his opposition result from their efforts not
to extol, but to demean him on that basis. Among Reagan’s detractors, those who characterized him in that manner were
attempting to make the case that he could put a good face on a bad message. Yet, in reality, it was the message itself that
connected with the American people.
The triumphs of Ronald Reagan, like the fortunes of every other Republican nominee and President during the past four
decades, can be directly correlated to their degree of devotion to Conservatism, or at least the public perception of such.
To the dismay of “Moderates,” this year is shaping up to be no different.
Likewise, Fred Thompson’s success derives from the very blunt, commonsensical manner in which he states position
after position, which is invariably in tune with the American people. His actions should not be confused with the sort of
Populism and pandering that has characterized so much of the remaining field of candidates.
Thompson exudes an understanding of the issues of the day, rooted in principles that have long driven and defined
America. Such views have been largely disparaged by the political elites and Beltway insiders, who are more fixated on
the opinions expressed on the nightly news or among the pop culture celebrities and very much less so on any wisdom
emanating from the Heartland of America.
So, despite the money being spent by the other candidates, and their incessant attempts to find and monopolize the
spotlight, Thompson’s momentum continues to grow. And he can count on more of the same, just as long as he
continues to deliver that which has served him so well to this point.
Not surprisingly, many observers are now offering free “advice,” based on the standard political models, which may or may
not have worked in the past. One increasingly common refrain has to do with the supposed benefits of choosing Rudy
Giuliani as a running mate, based on the premise that such a choice might garner the large cadre of electoral votes from the
State of New York.
But, even if this race did not involve another prominent “New Yorker” in the person of Hillary Clinton (and possibly even a
third, if Michael Bloomberg enters), the notion of increasing one’s popularity on the basis of a vice-presidential pick has, at
best, a dubious track record of actually gaining any points with the electorate.
Moreover, to choose a candidate who is starkly at odds with everything that, to date, has defined Thompson and caused
him to be so successful makes no sense at all.
It would be thoroughly refreshing to hear Thompson respond to this, or similar suggestions of somehow posturing to the
socalled political “Center,” by reminding everyone that the real purpose of the Vice-Presidency is not to “broaden the
base,” bring diversity to an administration, or garner otherwise elusive electoral votes.
Rather, it is to ensure a suitable replacement, in the event that the President cannot fulfill his term. Thus, if Thompson’s
governing philosophy is in the best interests of the nation and he wants it to remain intact in his absence, he will pick a
running mate who embodies the same principles for which the public has enthusiastically embraced him.
Time and again, Republicans have witnessed the abject futility of attempting to “moderate” in this manner. Democratic
voters need not consider accepting a poor imitation of Liberalism from the GOP when they can find the real thing in their
own camp. Reagan Democrats and crossover voters in general must therefore be inspired by something higher, not merely
cheaper, than that which their own party has to offer.
Admittedly, many on the political Right are biting their nails in anticipation of Thompson's official announcement. By now
they have learned, however, that he is moving forward according to a well-constructed strategy. And, contrary to the
wishes of his opposition, the event will not represent the high-water mark of his quest for the White House, but instead,
the turning point of the 2008 presidential race.
Meanwhile, the greatest challenge Thompson faces (and it may not be a difficult one for him) is simply to remain true to
the Conservative principles which he has consistently presented as sincere and heartfelt. He is not prone to backtracking
or apologizing, and need not engage in such wishy-washy behavior now.
As the other candidates bob and weave, attempting to capture the allegiance of one constituency group without
alienating another, Fred Thompson only needs to keep being Fred Thompson.
LINKS TO RELATED TOPICS:
American Politics & Political Competition:
Elections, PACs, & Political Parties
American Government & the U.S. Presidency:
Presidential Politics & National Leadership
The American Political System:
Politics & Government in the U.S.A.
Liberalism Versus Conservatism in American Politics
The American Political & Cultural Left:
Liberals, Statists, Socialists, & Other Leftists
-----------------------------------------------------------
POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY & POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES:
COMPETING SYSTEMS OF POLITICAL THOUGHT
Conservatism
Traditional Conservatism: Questions & Answers
Conservatism: Attitudes, Types, & Present Status
Constitutional Conservatism: American & British
Liberalism
Classical Liberalism: Intellectual Foundations
Classical Liberalism: Conservative Liberalism
Manchester Liberalism & Social Darwinism
Modern Social "Liberalism": Statist "Liberalism"
Radical & Totalitarian Ideologies
Radicalism, Utopianism, & Totalitarianism
Christopher G. Adamo is a freelance writer who lives in southeastern Wyoming and works in the field of industrial instrumentation.
He is actively involved in Wyoming's political process, serving as a delegate to successive Wyoming State Republican Conventions
and as a member of the Wyoming State Republican Central Committee. He has assisted Republican candidates for local and state
legislatures and for the United States Congress. His articles, which appear regularly in The Progressive Conservative, U.S.A.,
and on a number of other websites, reflect a major concern with the damage being done to Conservatism and Conservative causes by
the Liberal Leftist faction in the Republican Party as well as by the much larger and more powerful Liberal Leftist faction in the
Democratic Party. During the early and middle 1990s, Adamo was Editor of the Wyoming Christian Coalition's official news organ,
The Wyoming Christian.
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THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
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Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr., Editor
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Conservative Government Ensures a Nation's Strength, Progress, & Prosperity