Saturday, May 05, 2007

Thompson Speaks at Lincoln Club Dinner

If there was doubt in anyones mind that Fred Thompson is running for President, fahgetaboutit. Last nights 30 minute oratory was a stump speech plain and simple.

He hit all the high notes when speaking to a conservative Republican audience. Lower taxes, smaller government, Islamic extremism, Iraq, secure borders, Federalism you name it he covered it in his inimitable plain spoken Will Rogerian style. Humerous at times, somber and thoughtful others he delivered a solid expose of his positions an the importance of those positions to our countries survival and prosperity.

The one aspect of Fred Thompson that seems to pervade all his presentations whether they be written or verbal is that of a strong sense of grounded honesty. Agree or disagree with him this guys a straight shooter who calls em as he sees em. No nuance, no couching of positions he tells you the way he sees things and then works to help you understand why he believes as he does. No pander bear this one.

Much of this speech was ad libbed from notes and several long quotes were done from memory. One of the great side benefits of being an actor with the ability to learn litanies of dialogue for the camera. Overall I give this speech an 8 out of 10 with 2 points being deducted for a few of instances of rambling. Best line of the night: “I’m not interested in being the tallest midget in the room.”

Fred realizes as Reagan did that there is no "getting along" with the Dems. The only way to accomplish your objectives is to go directly to the American people and convince them of the validity of your positions. Thompson is a bonafide conservative with the skills to persuade. The most important question we must ask ourselves... is there anyone else presently in the Republican field that can make the same claim?

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