Fred talks faith and the role of the government
posted at 11:48 am on January 14, 2008 by Bryan
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Fred gets it. He understands that government isn’t the be-all-end-all solution to all of our problems.
A woman asked him if he would “as a Christian, as a conservative” continue President Bush’s programs to combat global AIDS.
“Christ didn’t tell us to go to the government and pass a bill to get some of these social problems dealt with. He told us to do it,” Thompson said.
“The government has its role, but we need to keep firmly in mind the role of the government, and the role of us as individuals and as Christians on the other.”
He received a round of applause for his answer, and went on to expand on the role of government in fighting AIDS and other diseases.
“I’m not going to go around the state and the country with regards to a serious problem and say that I’m going to prioritize that,” he said.
In other words, he’s not going to pander and he’s not going to pull a John Edwards move and promise that the dead will rise and the lame will walk if he’s elected, and he’s not going to ask his campaign workers to “make any promise you have to” to get himself elected. Fred Thompson isn’t going to try to be anyone’s Messiah.
Good.
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Right On, Fred!
countywolf on January 14, 2008 at 11:52 AM
A man with priciples……….damn let’s elect this stud.
Fred!
omnipotent on January 14, 2008 at 11:52 AM
PIMF
omnipotent on January 14, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Not compassionate enough. Sadly, even a majority of GOP voters want somebody who will promise them Mittcare, or Huckalove.
funky chicken on January 14, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Fred seems to be the only one who gets it.
RobTN on January 14, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Fred’s getting close to hit the million $ bank. Did someone say, “Traction”?
I thought he did well with Wolfy-boy this weekend.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on January 14, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Thank YOU Bryan, for posting this.
Darksean on January 14, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Refreshing. Unfortunately he has to compete with people who promise to toss benefits to the people the way that revellers toss beads to topless women at Mardi Gras.
pistolero on January 14, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Fred said right.
Frozen Tex on January 14, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Yuppers. Saw this yesterday and it really helped birth what I ended up blogging about.
Here.
It’s something, as a Christian, I believe I have to be responsible for in knowing what my faith asks of me in the political sphere. Needless to say it has nothing to do with Huckabee’s view on the matter.
CTDeLude on January 14, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Fred is in worse shape than Ron Paul .lol
froghat on January 14, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Exit question: When does Fred! start to see a bounce in the polls?
He’s been doing a lot of things right lately, and I’m afraid that if he doesn’t start climbing soon he might never.
He’ll be at a Golden Corral tomorrow in my town.
Golden Corral.
Mention that the next time someone says “fire in the belly.”
lodestonejames on January 14, 2008 at 12:03 PM
I’ve decided…
No Fred, No Mitt, no vote.
I’ll stay home and watch reruns of Futurama.
madmonkphotog on January 14, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Fred is all hat and no cattle.
BJ* on January 14, 2008 at 12:05 PM
there are middle aged conservatives out there, who make Middle Class income, enough to get hit hard on taxes. So they are paying alot to Medicare and Medicaid taxes and have nothing to cover them. Then many are getting chronic diseases like MS for example, so then they have to pay near 1,000/month for their own insurance, after paying so much already in taxes for others……….this group, and there are lot, are sympathetic to some sort of solution that helps them.
I’m not sure if Rudycare or MittCare is better, but one of them is probably needed.
jp on January 14, 2008 at 12:05 PM
madmonkphotog, just vote for Rudy you sonofabitch! lol
froghat on January 14, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Fred speaking to folks in SC Great Video!
Fred is getting tough now in this fight for the direction of the Republican party. We are at a crossroads and the Reagan coalition can still continue.
kerrhome on January 14, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Christians need to understand that it is their personal works of mercy that the bible encourages, and that voting for unwilling fellow Americans to have their money taken to help whoever we decide are “the poor”, is not a Christian thing to do. It would be nice if every American wanted to contribute to stamp out Aids, for instance, but then there is nothing to stop us from doing so. No one should be forced.
There’s no mercy in that.
NellE on January 14, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Good on Fred. AIDS is a serious problem, but a completely avoidable one- and a problem that won’t be solved by throwing billions of dollars at it.
HIV is a mutating virus. For all our medical advances and billions of dollars of research not a single viral disease can be cured- not ebola, not influenza, not the common cold, not rabies… and not HIV. There’s no reason to believe that more government money is going to result in a breakthrough.
The federal government does not exist to solve all the world’s problems- and Fred appears to be the only legitimate candidate to recognize that.
Hollowpoint on January 14, 2008 at 12:08 PM
let’s spread the word to go opposite of all the ‘polls’ and give Fred the cred.
jimmer on January 14, 2008 at 12:08 PM
You are anathema to me.
Editor on January 14, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Good question. There have been no new SC polls taken after the last debate. Fred’s been out there working hard in SC and from the sound of the meet ups with the voters there, he is connecting. We’ll have to see if it’s all working.
Go Fred! We can continue the Reagan coalition.
kerrhome on January 14, 2008 at 12:09 PM
A related question: When do we see some new polls? RealClearPolitics shows no polling in South Carolina since the day before the debate. I’d expect to see daily tracking with this primary only a week away.
Michael Bates on January 14, 2008 at 12:10 PM
He had me in Iowa when he didn’t pander to the corn lobby. This seals the deals. Sorry Rudy.
sweeper on January 14, 2008 at 12:11 PM
If the nominee is someone other than Fred, Rudy or Mitt this Republican is staying home in November. There isn’t enough of a difference between McCain Huckabee for me to take the trouble to support them.
Perhaps Republicans need to lose another before they figure out that Principles matter.
THANK YOU BRYAN
PierreLegrand on January 14, 2008 at 12:12 PM
I have to say, I’ve been a Fred fan since the whole draft Fred thing started. He’s got my primary vote come OH, but I still can’t help shake the feeling that maybe it just might not be enough. Donated to the campaign, rooting for him among friends etc… But there’s just that nagging suspicion. It’s nothing to do with Fred, I agree with him pretty much 100% on everything, but the main reaction I keep getting is “Fred who?”, or people regurgitating other candidate’s talking points, without knowing that that’s all they are.
Should Huckabee get nom, I stay home. Not going to vote for any of the horrible crop of Dem candidates, but if someone is going to drive the country into the ground, it might as well be one of them, hopefully tarnishing the entire party come the next election.
McCain, I’m unsure. I might reluctantly pull the lever, so to speak, for him, but that’s far from guaranteed. Mitt and Giuliani have issues in my book, but I’d still pick them over a Clinton or Obama.
Overall, odds point to me being an unhappy camper come election day. But I draw hope from the fact that there have been no real SC polls since debate, and Thompson’s recent fund-raising success. It looks like they’ll hit the one million mark by midnight, with just 72k left to go. So there’s still hope, and I’ll keep on rooting for Fred.
Until it’s cut and dried and a nominee has been chosen, screw punditry regarding electability etc… I’m voting for the guy I think would be the best president, period. Here’s hoping more people come to believe Fred is that man, and pick him.
BranBresil on January 14, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Is there no height to which this man won’t go to elevate the argument, shoot straight and be forthright?
Why, I have never seen a Politician with such blatant integrity!
Fred Thompson is no Politician.
TheSitRep on January 14, 2008 at 12:14 PM
I’m supporting the only candidate that out there that reflects my positions and beliefs. I have “held my nose” far to many times in the past and will not do it again. This time around, I’m going to go to sleep on election night my pride and convictions intact.
Fred is absolutely correct when he says that this is a battle for the future of the Republican party, and I intend to stay in this fight until there is nothing left to fight for, so I guess when Fred leaves the race, I will as well.
ChrisM on January 14, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Considering what the polls said in NH can we really believe what we get out of a new poll? They’re already reporting that Fred has his meetings packed and overflowing and that’s enough for me to know something has occurred. Frankly the lack of polls may in fact help because it doesn’t make people just turn their vote into a vote for the “inevitable” candidate.
CTDeLude on January 14, 2008 at 12:17 PM
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ipZDG6__Zfc
Hannibal Smith on January 14, 2008 at 12:17 PM
When will Fred stop being lazy and just start running a campaign? I don’t even think he wants to be president. Besides, he just came in too late.
There, I got that out of the way for you anti-Freds.
What Fred said is exactly why I left the other party years ago. I got caught up in the lies when I was in college and it took the second Clinton administration for me to finally realize how superficial democrats are. The promises of solving the world’s social problems through government sounds good and plenty to an impressionable kid, but when I became wiser, I found that I could do more and give more without government intervention and the false prophets of the Democrat party. (Did i just say false prophets? nutty!)
Anyways, John Stossel had this article on giving to charity.
Here is a quick link to Arthur Brooks website with some stats. He is the author of Who Really Cares.
geckomon on January 14, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Got FRED?!
sleepy-beans on January 14, 2008 at 12:18 PM
He keeps saying what the suckers aren’t expecting and the real Americans have been waiting for.
The real question: Of those two groups, which will cast more votes?
I’m afraid I know the answer.
MadisonConservative on January 14, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Has anyone noticed that since the debate on Thursday, the only polls mentioned in the MSM is those that are at least a week old. Makes you go Hmmmmmm. Fredmnetum!
ConservativePartyNow on January 14, 2008 at 12:19 PM
GO Fred, Goooooooooo.
It’s amazing that all of the people who WANT a conservative aren’t voting that way.
As far as I’m concerned, McCain isn’t even close to a conservative (CFR, Immigration, etc).
HarryStar on January 14, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Farther down in the linked article, he mentions other disease (childhood leukemia, etc.) and talks about prioritizing what govt. should do, and what would be most effective.
Wow, can you imagine a President asking Congress to justify raising research funds on the basis of severity of disease and likelihood of making a meaningful difference? In other words, investing tax dollars with wisdom?
This kind of thoughtfulness is why I’m a Fred supporter.
cs89 on January 14, 2008 at 12:26 PM
SitRep is correct; Fred is no politician, he is a leader. One wonder if there are enough people who truly recognize the difference to get this man elected. If there aren’t, it speaks badly of the GOP and this country, not of the man himself.
No matter what the outcome, Fred Thompson will remain at the top of the list of people I’d most like to buy a beer for (along with Gen. Petraeus).
As for me, I’ve had a grasp of what Fred is talking about for some time. I encourage all real conservatives to make the same type of commitment in their own lives. You won’t regret it.
michaelo on January 14, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Makes me proud to be a FredHead! I was a FredHead when being one wasn’t cool! He gets it!
ihasurnominashun on January 14, 2008 at 12:28 PM
It was always cool! I was the nerd.
geckomon on January 14, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Well, many of us already knew that. Didn’t you, AP? Or anyone else?
Kokonut on January 14, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Never. The MSM can’t seem to say Fred is dead loud enough. They say it so damn much that they sound like a broken beatles record.
Fred!
RobertInAustin on January 14, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Right said Fred!
O that he could be our next President!
Sent him some more money yesterday….
dean_acheson on January 14, 2008 at 12:33 PM
❤•❤•❤•❤•❤•❤•❤•❤•❤•❤•❤•❤•❤•❤•❤
sorry, I know it’s annoying, but I just had to!
RushBaby on January 14, 2008 at 12:34 PM
I can’t wait to see all the nay-sayers, especially the columnists and talking heads, eat crow when Fred takes the nomination.
Come on South Carolina! We’re counting on you to save the nation!
Browncoatone on January 14, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Don’t you mean Lamby-pamby Boy? CNN has no wolves.
Shirotayama on January 14, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Indeed.
So why isn’t he ahead of everyone by double digits? Are people hearing him but not listening?
flipflop on January 14, 2008 at 12:37 PM
I dig the fred
spacekicker on January 14, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Just do it!
Fred08.com
Go Fred!!
stlpatriot on January 14, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Agreed 1,000,000%
Shirotayama on January 14, 2008 at 12:39 PM
The dearth of Fred Thompson exposure in the MSM is exactly analogous to how they report success in Iraq.
The MSM hangs on to hope that they can affect the outcome by not mentioning Fred’s success and raising popularity.
They wont come around, until their dreams are dashed and they just have to admit their projected ideas did not wash.
TheSitRep on January 14, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Major General, USMC endorses Fred…
http://fredfile.fred08.com/blog/2008/video-major-general-james-e-livingston-usmc-ret-supports-fred/
stlpatriot on January 14, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Oh yeah, that would explain the results in Iowa.
manwithblackhat on January 14, 2008 at 12:41 PM
In the words of Dan Rather: Fred is hotter than a 2 dollar pistol.
http://thesitrep.com/pres.htm ◄ vote here
Fred Thompson 70.5% 241
Mitt Romney 18.4% 63
Mike Huckabee 6.7% 23
Rudy Giuliani 3.2% 11
John McCain. 1.2% 4
Fredalanche!© ◄ Donate!
TheSitRep on January 14, 2008 at 12:44 PM
flipflop, they want their Mittcare and Huckalove, I’m telllin ya. Yuck.
funky chicken on January 14, 2008 at 12:44 PM
I like Fred and that was a good answer from him.
But what is this “make any promise you have to” slam? He was JOKING. This is like when the libs repeat a lie enough, somehow it gets accepted as the truth.
Roger Waters on January 14, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Yeah Fred!
The War on Aids is as effective as the War on Poverty.
CABE on January 14, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Until November of 2006 - when the mid-term elections were over and Bush became a lame duck - I attacked the people who threatened to quit on the Republican Party in the name of conservatism as harshly as anyone. Based on what’s happened to his poll numbers since that time, I suspect I’m not the only conservative who did that.
Conservatives have been responding to attacks on Ronald Reagan for three decades now, and we’ll continue to do so as long as we have breath.
But now I have to admit it: For the past 20 years, I’ve seen nothing from the Republican leadership except varying shades of Socialist incrementalism. And if we nominate the candidate liberals have spent the past 8 years jockying for: another George Bush, that’s it. I’m done.
But that shouldn’t be a problem. The Republican Party can always rely on its “hard-core moderates” to keep up the fight — for as long as it’s convenient, and as long as the media don’t suddenly decide to stop attacking George Bush, and start attacking one of their favorite Republican candidates the day our Primary is over.
logis on January 14, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Can Fred fart without it generating a post on HA?
Or should we just change the name to Hot Fredhead echochamber Air?
tommylotto on January 14, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Pinch me, I’m dreaming…
Sir Andrew on January 14, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Can there be a Fred post without you coming in and sounding like a cretin?
MadisonConservative on January 14, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Panties in a bunch much?
You’re free–in fact, encouraged–to skip these posts if you like.
TexasDan on January 14, 2008 at 12:59 PM
. . . sustenance.
geckomon on January 14, 2008 at 1:00 PM
That was Mitt, and I might be able to cut him some slack on that if he wasn’t in Michigan promising corperate welfare.
P. James Moriarty on January 14, 2008 at 1:01 PM
Only to some - RB, are you an artist?
Entelechy on January 14, 2008 at 1:03 PM
Sorry, that should be Michigan.
P. James Moriarty on January 14, 2008 at 1:05 PM
Yes, as a matter of fact! An artist bursting with love for Fred Dalton Thompson!
RushBaby on January 14, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Of Course he can’t. Fred has the power to fart either Chanel #5 or the most deadly nerve gas on the planet, based on his choice.
(Sorry; that’s what one gets from reading ‘Fred Facts’ too much. I blame Huckabee for dragging Chuck Norris into the fray.)
michaelo on January 14, 2008 at 1:22 PM
Thank goodness for Fred. Let’s hope he can hang on and hang in this race.
Webutante on January 14, 2008 at 1:22 PM
Come on people.. vote for this guy! Who gives a crap that he came in late… you still have you’re vote… so VOTE FOR HIM.
msipes on January 14, 2008 at 1:26 PM
There is only one real conservative in the field and the MSM is doing everything to stop him. The 90% liberal media wants our choices to be a true believer communist and a 1930s democrat for POTUS.
jukin on January 14, 2008 at 1:30 PM
You’re on the right track…How about HotFredAir? That would work well for me.
GO FRED!
hoosiermama on January 14, 2008 at 1:33 PM
because Fred understands WHO the Messiah really is.
.
This isn’t the ‘home team advantage’ or ’stamp of approval’ candidate. THIS IS THE SURVIVAL of AMERICA as we know it!
.
signed: lowly musician who doesn’t understand ‘The Blogs’ but KNOWS what is @ Stake!!!
lobosan5 on January 14, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Meanwhile things go negative in South Carolina
Time Mag
William Amos on January 14, 2008 at 1:38 PM
Hannibal Smith on January 14, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Dude, you just posted the gayest video on the internet. Congradulations.
otcconan on January 14, 2008 at 1:38 PM
While politics is interesting and vital, it’s not going be a source of salvation for any of us. I’m glad Fred has this attitude, because it seems to me that the Right is a little more guilty of hunting for a Messiah or leader (and of course we know how to translate “leader” into German.) The left has many other flaws–flaws far worst than we have–but we should admit our temptations here.
I hope my next sentence doesn’t curse the Fred candidancy. What I look forward to–if Fred is elected–is for the first time in my life having a president whose intelligence I respect. And how he framed this issue is just part of why I respect his intelligence.
thuja on January 14, 2008 at 1:42 PM
I really don’t want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but could it be they don’t want any good news for Fred?
When someone asks how the government is going to tackle AIDS or are you going end abortion, I would like Fred to ask “What do you think the government’s role should be?” THEN, go into a Q & A and through that conversation illustrate to them what all would have to happen before, for example, abortions could be outlawed. Sorry for rambling, but I want folks to understand that just because a candidate says “I want abortion outlawed” or “I want to spend $1 billion/year toward AIDS research,” certain things have to happen. You know the old saying “you can wish in one hand and BLANK in the other…” Some folks seem to forget that the it takes both houses of congress and the POTUS to get things done.
Oh, I know I’m preaching to the choir here. I know you all understand or you wouldn’t be on here with me.
Oink on January 14, 2008 at 1:43 PM
Should listen to Rush right now. He agrees with me on the news about Newt helping Huckabee, McCain polling well, and all the pandering: Conservativism is dead. The liberal/moderate Republican have absconded with the Party and now you’ve got your Big Tent. I’ve never been one for a circus and that’s the only Big Tent I’ve ever been under. I think I’ll exit stage left.
But it is heartening that there are a few principaled conservatives around here that say they’ll stay home if McCain or Huckabee get the nod. I just wish you’d put more energy into pumping the conservative candidates to your friends and family in your area instead of promoting defeatism around here. These candidates need to get more traction and only WE can do that. Giving up is not an option.
Sultry Beauty on January 14, 2008 at 1:47 PM
Right on Fred.
Less government and more individual action. A truly conservative and christian statement.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of liberal evangelicals that disagree. Many of whom will vote for Huckabee.
shick on January 14, 2008 at 1:52 PM
Fred doesn’t even go to Church..
Chakra Hammer on January 14, 2008 at 1:53 PM
So when did Fred start going back to church?
Congratulations Fred, you’ve pretty much just insured that moderates turn you off. I know it’s stunning guys, but believe it or not 51% of the country is not die-hard conservative. As much as you all love shouting RINO at the top of your lungs and purging the party of all traces of moderation, that isn’t a winning strategy.
I’d bet anything the Dems, and especially Barack and his “Together we Can” crowd use this on Thompson in the general to say he doesn’t care about AIDS. If you’re going to attack government waste, choose a better subject to block funding for than AIDS.
Nevermind that Fred’s passion for removing government waste was nowhere to be found when he was in the Senate. I’m willing to bet he voted for every single medical research funding bill that came across his desk. Yet more from the All Talk XPress.
BKennedy on January 14, 2008 at 1:54 PM
Mitt Romney brings in guess speaker to respond to Huck’s attacks
William Amos on January 14, 2008 at 1:55 PM
I didn’t read past what he quoted. Was any of it NOT anti-Fred vitriol, or at least a fair critical analysis of the article?
MadisonConservative on January 14, 2008 at 1:58 PM
didn’t read past what he quoted. Was any of it NOT anti-Fred vitriol, or at least a fair critical analysis of the article?
MadisonConservative on January 14, 2008 at 1:58 PM
NOPE. Just the usual.
mo_gunslinger on January 14, 2008 at 1:59 PM
There’s a surprise.
BKennedy on January 14, 2008 at 1:59 PM
Could not have said it better myself. Let’s be hopeful he can bring back the concept of “Limited” government.
GO FRED!!!!
azcop on January 14, 2008 at 2:00 PM
AIDS is a perfect subject. Next chose helping the kids of illegal aliens. Next helping Africa. Yes chose all the crap that they are wasting/spending money on that’s not a function of the federal government and take the Marxist Obama on and call him a Marxist while you are at it just like calling Huck a liberal.
Igor R. on January 14, 2008 at 2:01 PM
He’s also not going to be elected.
JamesP on January 14, 2008 at 2:04 PM
So how many here plan to send money and support to Fred? I`ve read so much crying and pouting about how there`s no conservative in the race.
There one is, now let`s get to it!
ThePrez on January 14, 2008 at 2:06 PM
If he is not going to be elected it’s only because he refuses to be as consistently forceful ad during the debate. The populace doesn’t even care about the message, they have no idea if Huck is a conservative or not, they don’t care what his record is, and they don’t care to remember that McCain almost succeeded in pushing the Amnesty through just half a year ago.
Igor R. on January 14, 2008 at 2:09 PM
On his website, under the Issues tab, Fred lists his principles and his positions on various issues. Fred’s quote above is consistent with these principles and positions.
What is not consistent, though, is Fred’s support of McCain-Feingold. Fred should either explain why he supported and still supports this legislation, or let us know that he now regrets this blatant attack on First Amendment freedoms.
Hot Air would be a great place to vet this issue.
ultraloser on January 14, 2008 at 2:09 PM
This is how you could visualize it.
geckomon on January 14, 2008 at 2:10 PM
Way things are now Mitt, Guiliani and Fred arent going to be the nominee. Its almost down to Huck or McCain.
William Amos on January 14, 2008 at 2:10 PM
It’d be a real surprise if you could make your way into a Fred thread without being whiny and lamenting that he isn’t playing all the typical games of bull**** that the other candidates are.
Sorry he isn’t “making any promises he needs to”.
MadisonConservative on January 14, 2008 at 2:11 PM
Dang it, Fred! Iffen you keep this up, I’m gonna have to vote for you.
But not many others will. They want a nanny-ment headed up by the obama-nites great super hero to fix all the boo-boos, cook granny’s apple pie & sing em to sleep - at the expense of those mean ol rich people!
locomotivebreath1901 on January 14, 2008 at 2:12 PM
That’s a patently ridiculous statement and there is no evidence to back it up.
Igor R. on January 14, 2008 at 2:12 PM
How typical of you to take something out of context.
geckomon on January 14, 2008 at 2:12 PM
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