I would be happy with anybody other than Hillary (aka. Broomhilda). She is dangerous and scares me to death. She and her husband are felons and wil sell us out to fatten their own nest. Just ask Norman Shu.

Thompson is dreaming just like Edwards and Obama. He has zero chance to be nominee by Republican. Republicans have no brain about election so they may vote Thompson. You need to beat your own party candidates first. What a simpleton…

James,

I will be the first to acknowledge that our government doesn't always provide the best or most efficient solutions. But when you say "I haven't seen the government do much right in my lifetime" that strikes me as a bit harsh.

For all of their flaws, Social Security and Medicare are two programs that have done amazing work in rewarding people for lifetimes of hard work and allowing them to live lives of dignity (though certainly not opulence!) in retirement. These are by far the two biggest Federal Programs (although our military budget is rapidly closing in!) and even with all of their ineficiencies, most Americans will agree that they are important and helpful programs.

As for Federal vs. State programs, frankly I don't care where the solutions come from. There are pros and cons to each. But far too often, when a politician says "that is for the states to decide" what they really mean is "I don't want to be bothered with that" and I find that unacceptable from someone wanting to lead our nation. As a nation we are failing our children, and each of us has an obligation to try to figure out a solution — and that includes anyone who wants to be President.

To Thomas:

I love the quotes!

Please don't misunderstand me — when it comes to the failings in our education system, I believe there is plenty of blame to go around. And I do agree that some of the problems require solutions other than money. But let's not pretend that money can't fix ~some~ of the problems. Class sizes are far too big — that is a problem money can fix. Teachers are paid rediculously low wages — that is a problem money can fix. And supplement learning programs such as art and music are being cut left and right — yet another problem money can fix.

Second, there is the issue of apportionment. As long as we have a system that funds each school primarily by the property taxes generated in its community, the children living in the wealthiest neighborhoods are going to have an education vastly superior to those children living in the poorest neighborhoods, which does a great disservice to millions of children who, once again, are given no voice in the matter.

Finally, I agree that in a perfect world parents should be actively engaged in their children's education. Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world. Many children ~don't~ receive the necessary nurturing and support from their family. And while I think we should do all we can as a society to encourage greater responsibility by parents, I also think that we as a society have an obligation to not punish children for the failings of their parents.

Fred Thompson deserves media coverage…he's 2nd or 3rd in most polls. 10-20 times the support of clowns like Ron Paul and Al Sharpton…Hear him out. Seems like Edwards is more like Regan in appearance and style than Thompson. Thompson strikes me as a maverick like McCain, only he seems to rise in the polls without raising money than McCain raising/wasting money…

The Republicans have had their turn these last 7 years and look at the world. More climate change, terrorism, wars and poverty all still haven't stopped, they have increased. We need a Democratic government or something in America to make Americans safer and the world a better place to live in.

Cheney-
Thanks for the "comment". I'd entertain a counter argument, but I guess your "you're wrong" will have to suffice. As for my library…well it's a nice book. I like the pictures.

Steve-
I believe you mean lock, throw away the key and financially support them, but point taken. Life in prison is a debatable alternative, but we'll have to agree to disagree for now.

On the latter, I couldn't agree more. I do, however, disagree that the GOP cringes at the thought of providing assistance to the poor, hungry or uninsured.

The GOP's problem with Dem policy is that they want the federal government making all the decisions. Maybe I'm missing something, but I haven't seen the govt do much right in my lifetime. Therefore, I hardly see the logic behind allowing the Fed to have more control over our health, retirement or education. I believe that states know their people and issues better than Washington, and that individuals know what's best for their futures and families. This doesn't mean that we should trade the fed for bigger state govt, it just means that when govt intervention is necessary, we should look to the states and localities first.

Take NYC public schools. I'm no scientist (though occasionally accused of being one), but I'm pretty sure that NYC public schools have some different issues than say schools in Atlanta, Ga. My point is that all schools, hospitals and states have different problems/challenges, so why do we look to the federal govt for a one size fits all solution. Charleston is not New York City, so what works in New York may not work in South Carolina. What works in NYC, usually doesn't even work in New York State.

Long story short, I see Fred Thompson as the one person in this race who is looking at all America's problems and saying, "Hey, we need specialization. We need individualized solutions to serious problems and the fact of the matter is that the federal govt doesn't have the capacity to do it." We need to reduce the size of the federal govt, allow people to keep the money they earn and replace blank check govt spending with competition and efficiency. That all sounds pretty good to me.

The Republicans are too funny! Karl Rove thinks that Hillary is "fatally flawed" and Thompson thinks he's the only one who can stop her from winning in the general election.

Well, make up your minds, which is it???

Steven:

You sound pretty reasonable…However, you seem to want to blame the GOP for failing schools? Last I checked, almost all major urban areas are run by Democrats, on the local and state level. Dumping more money into school systems that can't budget money already given to them is a waste!

Half of California's $140 Billion yearly budget is spent on education…how can $70 Billion not create a decent education system? Oh yeah, its not about money, but getting parents involved in their kid's education. Its about being able to hold kids responsible for their failings, too. Its about teaching kids and not just passing them on to the next grade. There's a lot you can do to fix schools before spending more money blithely.

More taxes and more money won't solve problems.
"I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle."
-Winston Churchill

"Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner."
-James Bovard

Government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else.
-Frederic Bastiat, French Economist (1801-1850)

The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery.
-Winston Churchill

A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.
-Thomas Jefferson

Is the government suposed to love?

Anyone that thinks a Pro War candidate can win this election has their head stuck in the sand.

None of these comments even talk about the real issues that have divided this country. Abortion and death penalty? Come on. What about illegal immigration and the war on terror? And Alice, don't even talk about corruption and war. Are you even listening to what's going on. And if it wasn't for the first Clinton, we wouldn't be in this war anyway.

Thompson says he can stop Hillary, but took far too long to even decide to enter the race. The more I read on him the more I realize he is lazy and that is probably the reason for the time he took to decide, he actually had to get up of his a** and do something. Of course, it may be better to have a lazy president who causes no damage than a gung-ho one who wants to take over other countries. It is most likely going to be a case for voting for the least damaging prospect instead of the best prospect for repubs.

James:

Actually, if the GOP truly valued life until they raped/murdered then we wouldn't be too far apart philosophically. I still opose the death penalty, but have no problem locking folks like that up and throwing away the key.

However, when I said the GOP position seems to be "love 'em 'til they're born" I meant it. We have ~millions~ of children in this country living in wretched housing conditions, receiving little or no health care, and getting an abysmal education in overcrowded schools that are falling apart and are frequently havens for crime and gang activity, simply because they had the great misfortune to be born into families that don't make $50K a year. But whenever someone suggests providing these kids with healthcare, investing money into our schools, or legislating a living minimum wage so these kids' parents can put food on the table and a decent roof over their heads, most conservatives cry "Socialism! Ack!" and dive under the table. Where exactly is the love in that?

Fred Thompson is a man of towering integrity! Pitting himself againts the
Hillary juggernaut is a no brainer.
Like it or not, Clinton's past is an open secret. Thompson is untainted
and freshly minted.

I must agree Mr.Thompson is the person who can and will lead the American People, and this great country of ours to be on top again.

James, are you a scientist? Why do you speak of things you surely don't understand? Please tell me you're not basing your perspective on a book thousands of yrs old.

This is not the general election, which is why Thompson is a genius. Republicans know Clinton is the front runner. Obama may get a VP nod, but Clinton is the Dem's choice. No question about (look at poll consistency). That said, nothing rallies the Republican base more than the thought of Hillary as President. So by Thompson asserting himself as the guy to beat Hillary, he immediately eases the deeper concerns of his base. The GOP base sees a Clinton nomination as inevitable, but admitting it would lend credibility which is a no-no. The general election may be close, but I think Thompson takes if he can convince Americans that he can return fiscal responsibility to Washington. Social issues play, but don't decide elections. It's the economy stupid!

Finally someone gets into this race with some priciples. Go Fred - put an a** whoopin' on this liberal, hollywood elitist, politically correctness disease that's destroying our country. Even the French & the Germans have had enough of it!!!!!

Hillary can stop Hillary. Any moderate republican can stop Hillary… Thompson? I dunno about that.

So he says he can beat Clinton in 2008. HA! His mind must be in the same league as our current president, G. W. Bush.

Thompson, you won't even get the chance to do so, because while republicans are dumb, they are not that dumb to vote for you as their candidate. After 8 years of right wing christian fundamentalism running this country, the Independent minded people will not support a candidate like you who wants to continue carrying the ultra-conservative banner. Your positions on the policies are way too right wing extreme. Actually, I hope you win the nomination, because it'll ensure a democrat victory, regardless of who our nominee is! You are old, tired, and a do-nothing former senator from a backwoods state, with no real record. And don't try to play the Reagan card - at least he was a former governor of the biggest state in the country! You are nothing!

"In '94, our conservative principles led us to a comeback and majority control of the Congress.
said Fred …

Now explain what they've done for the country in the last 6 years - pissed it away in scandal, corruption, war, hatred and attempts to turn back the clock. The rich are richer, the poor are uninsured, many children are left behind, veterans benefits are cut, and if they had their way, the wages would have stayed the same for another 10 years … and don't forget, conservatives also voted to make it harder to go to college.

Steve-
Hopefully, he'll adopt the GOP philosophy of "love 'em 'til they rape, murder or otherwise become a danger to society". Why do liberals defend their abortion position by citing the death penalty. At least the choice argument has merit.
Last I checked a fetus never killed anybody. Those who are subject to the death penalty are so because of their actions in life. Their rights end at a trial. If only their victims were afforded the same opportunity.

You old fool!

If you can hardly decide whether you're even running and have people resigning from your team on a daily basis, I don't think you're going to beat the well-oiled machine that is Hillary Clinton's campaign.

I used to like Fred when he gave his first interviews, but have since become convinced that he is too unfocused and too inexperienced to be President. When the hype fades away and people start looking at his record and policy proposals instead of being in awe of his actor persona, a lot of supporters will leave him. I certainly have.

Mitt Romney is the GOP's best chance.

Hey wait a minute……do we want these 'Hollywood-types' in the white house?

It's quite interesting how on one foot they say "Hillary isn't popular enough candidate to win", and yet when this guy jumps into the race he has to proclaim he will "stop Hillary". Do republicans listen to themselves?

It's quite interesting how on one foot they say "Hillary isn't popular enough candidate to win", and yet when this guy jumps into the race he has to proclaim he will "stop Hillary". Do republicans listen to themselves?

To Steven — That is a good point. How many people who oppose abortion support the death penalty? I know personally support abortion being legal; although we should all work to make it unnecessary.

48 hours after the "beggining" of his 'campaign' and I'm already tired of him….

boy, this is going to be a loooooooong winter!!!!!!!!!!!!!

did anybody else found it totally ridiculous for CNN to have a live broadcast of hhim yesterday???????? have that happend before with ANY other candidate?????????

I'm almost certain I remember from somewhere that tv stations have to give ALL CANDIDATES EQUAL TIME!!!!!!

What a greedy pig!To take advantage of a sinking ship like the conservative(mentally retarded) movement just to line your pockets with their money,shows that the ethics of the right have no level too low to go.These idiots that give any godhead any money are fools.

So why is it that Abortion and The Death Penalty seem to be in the forefront of any election? The death penalty does not deter crime and abortion is legal, both true facts. Why not look to defending this country and keeping our economy strong? While I do not support Hilary (socialist) Clinton or her personal agenda, I would like to see any canidate say that America comes first and enforce our immigration laws.

I remain hopeful that someone can stop Clinton, but I'm thinking more of other Democrats instead of this wannabe wearer of the Reagan mantle. Enough tired old second-rate actors with ditzy wives consulting astrologers.

He's right. He can stop the Billary Express.

But so can Rudy and Mitt.

If the election is fought in the Purple States, Sen. Thompson will have a tremendous advantage in rallying "values" voters against Sen. Clinton.

However, 2008 will hinge on the delicate balance between change and comfort. Sen. Thompson's challenge is to imbue his aura of authenticity – conveyed by a his "Southern-Fried Reagan" persona – with the dynamism of substantive, new policy approaches in order to captivate voters who've soured on the President, Congress, and to some extent, the American political process.

If Sen. Thompson wants to ride tall in the saddle, he'll need to round up some beef.

Peter S. Cohl
The Political Brandwagon
http://www.politicalbrandwagon.com

No it's love them till they rape and murder the innocent philosophy

How will he stop Hillary?

He can't even stop people from leaving his own campaign

If Fred will add to his list that he will PUSH for term limits, he will win!
I don't know of ANY candidate from any party that is gutsy enough to say that!
We Americans HAVE TO PRESS these people (who we vote to represent us) in this direction. Without it, our government continues to be corrupt.

[...] Fred Thompson can stop Hillary Clinton…and those damn meddling kids: Fred Thompson says he stop Hillary Clinton and will campaign on true conservative values. Wait..isn't that what Ron Paul, Mike Huckabee, Tom "Bomb Muslim Holy Sites" Tancredo, and Sam Brownback are doing? Maybe Fred means his CSI character can stop Hillary Clinton. NOBODY CAN STOP ARTHUR BRANCH!! [...]

May I remind Mr. Thompson that this is not the 1990s, and that we are currently engaged in an extremely unpopular war that is dominating the campaign season.

Does he honestly expect a Republican to win if that party still supports the Iraq war?

Fred is awesome! I hope he's right about beating Hillary we need to stay the course in Iraq and deal with Iran!

Discuss Fred Thompson at the best Fred Thompson Forum on the net!

Fred Thompson Forum

Please Republicans nominate dog-faced uncharismatic Thompson. Give the Democrats the White House!

If he wants to convince the public to vote for him, won't he first have to convince his own top campaign workers to stop quitting?

Well Fred - sure hope you make it to the general election - your looking kinda rough at the edges old timer! Your looks are kinda like your ideas - outdated! Go home to the nursing home and relax!

Good grief, what on earth makes anyone think this dude is anything special? Nothing makes him stand out from the other GOPs. His archaic view of the world, of women, and of how this country should be run is nothing new and exciting. Not to mention the fact that he's kind of scary looking. Go Hillary!!

Great! We had to endure the Bush Years, now we have a throw back who gave legal advise to Nixon during Watergate who wants to be president. When he was Senator for Tennessee, he did nothing. He was a laughing joke on Capital Hill.

Fred stay with Law and Order

Methinks his debut as an official candidate has been a little underwhelming. Thompson might consider keeping his day job on Law and Order. We need more than an ideological leader- someone who can appeal to and affirm all Americans and not just those on the right. This is the 21st century and time for the end of marginalization. It's time we come together,

His claim-to-fame is that he can "stop Clinton?" Did she win a primary I wasn't aware of? Fred is playing to the far right Clinton-haters to get the base rallied. Another down-to-earth, real person, "leader". What a joke.

So when Mr. Thompson says he thinks we should respect the "sanctity of life" does that mean he is going to oppose the death penalty? Or does he buy into the standard GOP "love 'em 'til they're born" philosophy?

Thompson is an actor, not a leader. He has zero appeal to Republicans or Democrats. Go back to a TV series Thompson, we have had enough of hollywood drama.

i dont think so. Set your sights on Gullimami first before you take the mother ship.

Go Rudy 08!!! Thompson is a chicken for not showing up in the debate!

It appears Rupert finally got his Man in Fred Thompson! How much did Freddie sell out FOR? Maybe he's gunning for Iran. OK, Hillary lets start,go after the "BIG CAHUNNA"

Well he certainly looks the part.

Uh Fred, by 2006 your conservative principles and leaders had so sickened America that you lost the majority, remember? Fred?

its true he can't stop Hillary CLINTON after all this mess that this republican president made we need another 8 years of the Clinton's to fix all this mess.

"I can beat Clinton …

a. with a super-fast moves
b. with my lightsaber
c. in an acting competition

The answer is C. Other then that, Fred is really can't beat anyone.

A rhetorical actor's statement. "I can stop Clinton." What are you going to do with foreign policy?

It would be nice if conservatives in this country could think about other issues than "stopping Clinton." (oh, and abortion and religion, etc.)

Duha.., even Ron Paul could be Hillary.

I dont care who it is but somebody stop her or i swear ill move to mexico if she is elected.

Not so fast Fred. You've got to control your own woman first. She's a child and is behaving so to your detriment.

Freddie has about as much chance of stopin Clinton as Georgie has in getting re-elected in 2008 !

Dream On Freddie! See you in the movies!

I would like to start listening to a candidate who is not only about destroying his opponents at all cost to become president.

Any fool can badmouth someone else, and even win an election but only a responsible, a competent, and credible leader can lead a nation. Please, Thompson the election is not about Hillary, Obama, or the political parties. It is about America.

I have observed many elections, but I can't remember when America was the objective.