Fred Thompson's Greatest Challenge
By Christopher Adamo (06/28/07)
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 than any wisdom emanating from the Heartland.
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 “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. Democrat 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 right are biting their nails in anticipation of his
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 ’08
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 do so 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.
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