ALL IN

I'm not sure that this is a good idea. I think Senator Thompson should not even be thinking, at this point in time, of making Iowa a make or break deal. February 5 will tell the story, and he should be fighting to stay in the race until then. What do you all think?

FRED'S FOLLY

This is an interesting article. I recommend it to all of the Thompson supporters. I don't agree with the premise of the article, which is the old garbage that Fred is lazy, but I think Thompson supporters could help the Senator a lot by getting out there and talking about his ideas. He has a lot of good ones, and they are getting no attention. That's too bad.

THOMPSON TAKES ON D.C. EXPECTATIONS

If the media and the politicians had bothered to listen to Senator Thompson, they would know that this is exactly the kind of campaign he said he would run.

POLICY FRED

An interesting editorial about Fred Thompson.

THE NEW FIRE IN FRED'S BELLY

Just received this link from Tommy Oliver. A good article in National Review by Larry Kudlow.

DOUR THOMPSON SAYS I'M "JUST FRED"

I didn't like this headline, but left it alone, because once again it shows the bias of the MSM. I have news for all of them. Being just Fred is plenty good enough for millions of his supporters.

SAVING AND PROTECTING SOCIAL SECURITY

NOTE: I just received this information as an e-mail from Fred Thompson's campaign. I think that it is a plan that everyone should read about, so I am printing it in it's entirety. That should not be construed to mean that I am in agreement with any part of the plan. I have not studied it in sufficient detail to make that decision.

Fred Thompson’s Plan to Ensure Retirement Security for All Americans

COURAGE TO SPEAK THE TRUTH ABOUT DIFFICULT ISSUES

* Fred Thompson believes there is no reason to run for President of the United States if you can’t tell the American people the truth about complex issues like Social Security.
* We need leaders, like Fred, with the courage to address this issue head-on while there is still time to solve the funding shortfall without draconian cuts in benefits or tax increases.
* As we speak, Congress is raiding the Social Security Trust Fund. If we don’t act soon, the politicians in Washington will either repay those ‘IOUs’ through tax hikes or benefit cuts. American workers deserve access to the same retirement security options that Member’s of Congress enjoy.
* The current Social Security system is broken and if it isn’t reformed, future generations will no longer have it as a safety net for retirement.
* If Social Security is not reformed and saved for future generations, current law effectively requires a 23% cut in benefits when the Trust Fund runs out of money around 2041.
* We cannot afford to wait until the Social Security Trust Fund runs out of money–the longer we wait, the worse the problem grows and the more dramatic any solution will have to be.

A STRAIGHTFORWARD AND HONEST PLAN TO SAVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND PROTECT SENIORS

* Fred Thompson’s plan to Save Social Security keeps our promise to America’s seniors. It offers retirement security by fully protecting their benefits. Current beneficiaries and those close to retirement will not be affected by these changes. No one over the age of 57 would be affected.
* Fred Thompson’s plan will also offer younger workers retirement security. Younger workers will be given the option of growing their wealth for the future and participating in a successful investment program similar to the one enjoyed by Members of Congress.

OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE OF AMERICA AND THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR TODAY’S WORKERS

* Fred Thompson trusts the American people to understand the problem and accept that we need to address it now, and he will not hide the ball from them, as the other candidates are doing.
* His plan preserves real benefits at current levels, promotes personal freedom by giving workers a say in their financial future, and saves Social Security for future generations. This is critical to America’s long term Security, Unity, and Prosperity.
* We live in the greatest nation on earth – a free nation with free markets where citizens who play by the rules and work hard can expect to live the American Dream.
* If they need help in this country they can get help and those that can help themselves are expected to do so.
* Fred Thompson’s plan to protect Social Security guarantees promises made to our seniors and gives today’s workers more choice and greater opportunity for their future.

ISSUE / PROBLEM

* Since its inception in 1935, Social Security has done a good job of reducing poverty among the elderly.
* But it’s time we speak candidly to the American people; the current program is fiscally unsustainable.
* Social Security actuaries warn that if nothing is done, the Social Security Trust Fund will be bankrupt by 2041.
* That sounds like a long way off, but one-third of those now in their fifties and almost all of those in their thirties and forties will be looking to collect benefits when the money runs out.
* When that happens, retirees will face an immediate 23 percent cut in their benefits. Other options at this time are for Congress to raise taxes by 30 percent just to sustain the promised level of payments, or raise the retirement age, or come up with some combination of these three choices.
* Without question, unless Social Security is transformed and saved, fewer younger workers.

FRED THOMPSON’S PLAN

* Fred Thompson’s plan for saving and protecting Social Security will:
* Protect Benefits for current retirees and guarantee them for future generations;
* Balance Social Security so that it is permanently sustainable for future generations;
* Save Social Security for all Americans by treating all retirees fairly (No one over 57 would be affected);
* Leave untouched the calculation of the annual cost-of-living adjustment;
* Provide retirement options for future retirees that allows them to secure their own retirement future; and
* Eliminate the estimated $4 trillion unfunded Social Security future liability.
* To accomplish these goals, Fred Thompson’s plan will:
* First, provide voluntary personal retirement “add-on” accounts to supplement current benefits. It is a government-sponsored 401(k)-like supplement to Social Security that helps Americans build personal wealth. These accounts will allow each worker to contribute 2 percent of his/her wages into a voluntary account; The federal government will progressively match the worker’s contribution each month; both the worker’s contribution and the match would be invested in qualified stock and bond portfolios of their choice.
* Second, index the initial Social Security Benefit Formula for prices, not wages. Social Security today promises future retirees more benefits than current retirees receive, even though they put the same amount of money into the system. The system should be adjusted so that it is fair to all retirees. Adjusting the formula will also guarantee that all retirees – current and future – receive benefits from a system currently running out of money.
* We do not need to change the retirement age with this approach beyond the currently scheduled increase.
* We can preserve an annual cost-of-living adjustment as calculated under the current formula with this approach.

CONCLUSION

* We have a choice before us: ignore the problem and expect future generations to pay the bill, or take action now to save and protect Social Security for all retirees.
* No other candidate has come forward with a plan, demonstrating their disregard for the challenges facing our country.
* We need leaders like Fred Thompson with the courage to address this issue head-on while there is still time to solve the funding shortfall without draconian cuts in benefits or tax increases.
* Fred Thompson’s plan preserves real benefits at current levels, promotes personal freedom by giving workers a say in their financial future, and saves Social Security for future generations. This is critical to America’s long term Security, Unity, and Prosperity

THOMPSON WILL "CAMPAIGN THE WAY I WANT"

Fred Thompson says he will campaign the way he wants to. Reminds me of the Frank Sinatra song "I Did It My Way". Good for Fred. I'm not sure if it will work, but you have to give him credit for sticking to his plan.

POLL FINDS THOMPSON APPEALS TO CHURCHGOERS

The Politico reports that Fred Thompson is favored by Christian Conservatives by a 10 point margin over his closest rival, Rudy Giuliani.

THOMPSON SAYS HE'S THE REAL CONSERVATIVE

Fred Thompson says

"I believe that conservatives beat liberals only when we challenge their outdated positions, not embrace them. This is not a time for philosophical flexibility, it is a time to stand up for what we believe in."

I think Fred Thompson has it right.

FRED THOMPSON REPORTS $12.7 MILLION IN FIRST FEC FILING

Senator Fred Thompson reported $12.7 million in campaign contributions in a very short period of time. So much for the argument that he would have trouble raising money. Senator Thompson's campaign is now in high gear.

WHY FRED THOMPSON WILL WIN

Terrific article about Senator Thompson by Peter Mulhern. Mr. Mulhern talks about the other Republican candidates and points out that they come up short. He also points out the differences between Senator Thompson and the other candidates. On every important point, Thompson comes up ahead of the other potential nominees.

GOP RACE NO CLEARER AFTER FUNDING REPORTS

The Politico is reporting that the Republican race is no clearer after funding reports. I beg to differ with them. The pundits have been saying from the beginning that this was an important milestone for Senator Fred Thompson. Well, Senator Thompson's campaign is reporting that he raised 8 million dollars between July 1 and September 30. That is a pretty impressive figure, and catapults Senator Thompson to the forefront of the race, in my opinion

FRED THOMPSON RAISES 8 MILLION DOLLARS

Fox News has just reported that Senator Fred Thompson's campaign has raised 8 million dollars in the third quarter. Pretty impressive numbers for a guy who just entered the race a month ago. Maybe now Fox news will give the Senator the respect that he deserves.

MUSINGS FOR A SATURDAY MORNING: - IRANIAN PRESIDENT IS NOT WELCOME IN THE UNITED STATES

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is coming to the United Nations. As is the habit of this despot, he will try to stir up as much trouble as he possibly can while he is in this country. So far I have heard that he wanted to visit Ground Zero, he has been invited to speak at Columbia University, he has been invited to speak at American University and he will deliver a tape recorded speech to the National Press Club.

My first thought was that I have mixed feelings about letting him speak at different American events. I believe in freedom of expression. After all, I practiced law for twenty years, and that has always been a fundamental tenet for any attorney. If you don’t believe in freedom of expression, it could become very difficult to represent a client. But as I thought about it, I realized that I don’t have mixed feelings at all. He is a killer, a madman. Let’s treat him like one.

In my opinion Ahmadinejad is a terrorist. He is just a state sponsored terrorist. Osama Bin Laden is a terrorist without a country. Ahmadinejad is a cowardly terrorist hiding behind the dictatorial shield of Iran. I still believe that he is one of the Iranians involved in the kidnapping of our American Embassy staff during the Carter administration. I also believe that he and the country of Iran have provided aid and comfort to terrorists for many years. We have never been able to prove a connection between Iran and the 9-11 terrorists, but I will not be surprised if one day soon we can prove such a connection.

I am absolutely certain that Iran and Ahmadinejad are directly involved in terrorist’s activities in Iraq that have resulted in the deaths of many American soldiers. So to that extent, how do we deal with a terrorist openly and publicly in our midst?

I think Fred Thompson has it right. He said earlier today

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, president of the world's premier terrorist state, is speaking before the United Nations next week. He has also asked to visit Ground Zero. If I were President of the United States none of this would have been an issue--I wouldn't have let him into the country in the first place.
It's time for the world to finally send a stern message to Iran. Ahmadinejad has called for the destruction of Israel, is supporting terrorist groups throughout the Middle East, and is responsible for supplying weapons to extremists who are killing US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. And with Iran's ongoing pursuit of nuclear weapons and development of long-range missiles, that country is a threat not only to the region and our allies, but to the entire free world. It's time for the United Nations to take more serious action against this terror regime.
The Security Council needs to begin placing comprehensive, multilateral sanctions on Iran's economy, to include banning foreign investment, stopping export credits to companies doing business there, and prohibiting any business dealings with Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Iranian banks should be denied access to international banking and financial institutions, and World Bank loans should be suspended. All arms sales to Iran need to be halted. And travel by Iranian officials should be stopped and their assets frozen. Cutting off Iranian access to refined gas imports will certainly get Tehran's attention and cause them to reconsider their priorities. If the UN can't reach agreement on these measures due to continued Russian, Chinese or others' intransigence, then we need to work directly with our allies and go around the UN roadblock.
The international community has been negotiating with Iran for more than four years to no avail in seeking to halt the mullahs' nuclear program. I believe strongly in diplomacy, but it has its limits, especially when the other side is made up of extremists. If we don't get serious and act now--before they build atomic weapons--the stakes will be even higher, and our hand much weaker. The United States and its allies cannot afford to let that happen. As president, I certainly will not.

Well, unfortunately, our government doesn’t have the courage of Fred Thompson.But there are still things we can do. New York City, to their eternal credit has taken one step. They have denied him the right to visit Ground Zero. Good for them. That is a sacred place for all Americans – not a place that we want an animal, a sub-human creature like Ahmadinejad making a mockery of.

Now the questions of Columbia University and American University and the National Press Club are a little different. How do we handle the conflict between our First Amendment right of freedom of expression, and our right to not honor a war criminal?

I come down on the side of honoring the memory of over three thousand dead Americans, killed on 9-11 and thousands of American soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. We don’t reward war criminals and terrorists with any rights that our countrymen have. We don’t reward these kinds of people with rights that our soldiers have shed their blood for over the last 231 years.

The National Press Club should be ashamed of themselves. They know better than to do what they are doing. Giving a terrorist a forum to spread his venom throughout the world. This is another prime example why Conservatives don’t trust the mainstream media. They do not honor our country, or the sacrifices of all of the American lives.

I understand the desire of Universities to expose their students to all points of view. But come on, everyone, you are not exposing your students to a reasonable point of view. This man is an enemy of our country. Would we have invited Adolf Hitler or Benito Mussolini to speak at one of our American Colleges during the height of World War II?

I don’t think so. Why would we invite a killer and a terrorist to do so now? The Universities can find other ways to satisfy their needs to teach their students other points of view. It doesn’t have to be a live appearance by a madman. Let’s call Ahmadinejad what he is – a killer of Americans – not an invited guest.

BLOGS FOR FRED THOMPSON ASSESSES THE THOMPSON BOUNCE IN POLLS

This is a terrific blog, called "Blogs For Fred Thompson." Their analysis of Fred Thompson's bounce in the polls is extremely well done, and should be read by all of Senator Thompson's supporters.

PATRICK RUFFINI: THE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THOMPSON WORKED

Patrick Ruffini opines that the online exclusive announcement by the Thompson team worked. Take a look at his site, and the chart proving just that.

FRED THOMPSON SURE HAS THIS RIGHT!!!

The other night, when Fred Thompson announced that he would be a candidate for President, he said something that really resonated with me "America has laid down more of its blood and treasure in the cause of freedom than all other countries combined." He sure has that right.

NRO''S INTERVIEW WITH FRED THOMPSON

Byron York of National Review Online has a good interview with Fred Thompson. Senator Thompson talks about a variety of issues, including Harriet Miers, the surge, Iran, tax cuts and more.

SEAN: FRED THOMPSON WILL RETURN THE GOP TO IT'S CORE PRINCIPLES

My friend Sean sent this letter to his local newspaper. I think he has it just right, and wanted to share it with all of you (with Sean's permission, of course)


With his entry into the presidential race today, Sen. Fred Thompson provides GOP primary voters with a chance to return the party back to its core principles of limited governmental power. Early in his career, Thompson served as Minority counsel on the Senate's Watergate committee that helped to expose the abuses of the Nixon administration. Later on, he helped expose corruption in a parole/bribery case in Tennessee that brought down Governor Ray Blanton. In his announcement speech, he said that "a government that can do anything for you, can do anything to you". These are apt words in a time where our retirement system is, due to congressional "borrowing", in deep trouble, where a plan for a simplified tax code is buried in committee while special interests continually vie for breaks, and where in just a few years federal
government spending has doubled, to no apparent benefit. His advocacy of Federalism, the principle of returning Federal power to the states seems to be the best solution.

Sen. Thompson also believes that our National Security is in need of reevaluation. While the Islamic Terrorist threat is of primary concern, Sen. Thompson chaired hearings that dealt into Chinese influence in US elections, and served as a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute studying the Far East and China's growing aggressive posture.The recent Chinese cyber-attack on Pentagon computers illustrates Sen. Thompson's foresight on China.

Sen. Thompson is right when he said that "borders security is national security". Not only are leaky borders begging terrorists to enter, but the expense of illegal immigrants to our federal, state, and local budgets help to jeopardize our countries prosperity.

Perhaps these times will fit this man, I urge GOP voters to support this honest, plain speaking man in these trying times.

Sean