Reagan's shoes can never be filled, obviously, but might Fred Thompson come closest?

Question

The leftwing media seems to have taken umbrage at his "folksy" mannerisms and down-home demeanor in the same way they did Ronald Reagan. This could be bad news for libs, and great news for Thompson:

Fred Thompson is just like you
Sep. 10, 2007 | The ol' Southern lawyer Freddie Dalton Thompson stands before two stuffed chickens and a fake white picket fence, where a plastic grapevine pretends to grow at the end of a phony Main Street. He's here to tell a crowd of a couple hundred that he is the real thing, a small-town boy who never had much ambition, who never grew up wanting to be president, who still doesn't know where he stands on many issues -- but ain't America a wonderful country

In the tradition of George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, he is running to win the have-a-beer primary, hoping his Southern charm makes up for anything he lacks on his résumé
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/09/10/fred_thompson/print.html

Lol@"lack of résumé". Can you say: Obama!

Answer 1

Fred Thompson is the last best hope for this election. All anyone really has to do is research his voting history while he was a senator. He was consistent with his beliefs and his voting.

His current political positions are the most well thought out of any that I have ever searched. Here are just a few:

Thompson supported the U.S. invasion of Iraq, but he has said that "mistakes have been made" since then. He is opposed to withdrawal from Iraq.

Thompson stated regarding abortion "I've always thought that Roe v. Wade was a wrong decision, that they usurped what had been the law in this country for 200 years, that it was a matter that should go back to the states. When you get back to the states, I think the states should have some leeway. I might vote against one approach, but I think the state ought to have it. And I would not be and never have been for a law that says, on the state level, if I were back in Tennessee voting on this...to criminalize a young woman.

Thompson said that tax cuts mean growth: "Because of lower rates, money is being invested in our economy instead of being sheltered from the taxman. Greater investment has created overall economic strength. Job growth is robust, overcoming trouble in the housing sector; and the personal incomes of Americans at every income level are higher than they've ever been."

Fred Thompson's position on gay marriage, "I think that that ought to be left up to the states. I personally do not think that that is a good idea, but I believe in many of these cases where there's real dispute in the country, these things are not going to be ever resolved. People are going to have different ideas. That's why we have states. We ought to give great leeway to states and not have the federal government and not have the Supreme Court of the United States making social policy that's contrary to the traditions of this country and changing that overnight. And that's what's happened in a lot of these areas."

Fred Dalton Thompson's position on immigration, "The government could start by securing our nation's borders. A sovereign nation that can't do that is not a sovereign nation. This is secondarily an immigration issue. It's primarily a national security issue. We were told twenty years ago if we produced a comprehensive solution, we'd solve the illegal immigration problem. Twelve million illegals later, we're being told that same thing again"

Thompson on church and state isssues, "Many federal judges seem intent on eliminating God from the public schools and the public square in ways that would astound our founding fathers. We never know when a five to four Supreme Court decision will uphold them. They ignore the fact that the founders were protecting the church from the state and not the other way around."

Again these are just a few of his positions. To me these seem more like common sense than anything that any of the other Republican or Democrat/Liberal/Socialist/Communist candidates have to say.

Again, I would stress do your own research and make an informed decision.

Answer 2

After reading a few of the answers here I am absolutely appalled!! My only thought is that these people who have answered are a bunch of really scared liberal/socialist!! Fred Thompson is very Reagan like and Yes!! He will turn this country around. I do not think for a minute that he will divide the republican vote, I believe that he is a breath of fresh air to this already very stale presidential wannabe's! He is very old fashioned and that is what this country needs! I am so sick and tired of all of the progressives (socialists) that I could literally barf! We need someone who really does remember what this country was like before all the socialists ruined us and turned us into a Nanny state. Fred Thompson actually has common sense, something these days is not so common. He thinks rationally, responsibly, and does not believe in a hand out but a hand up. That is what this country was built on. I for one plan on voting for Big Fred because he is also Lincoln like. He is 6'5" tall and not all that good looking but has brains to back him up instead. Plus he has something Hillary and the lot lack, charisma. We need that to work with other countries! He is a lot wrapped into one and I am very pleased that he has announced right on time! Right after Labor Day, the way it used to be. I too am old fashioned and I really think that this country has gone too far. Fred Thompson will be a much needed anchor in this very unstable sea of politics!

Edit: By the way, Fred Thompson is Pro Life, however, he does not feel that it should ever be a government issue. He feels that it should NOT be federally funded, and ONLY if absolutely necessary in the very early stages, and he does feel that parents of minors should be notified when teen agers seek an abortion. Further, he feels that it is a matter that should be left up to each individual state. I personally am against Abortion however, I have always struggled with whether or not it should be illegal. I feel that abstinence is the best and or adoption however, ever since the sixties free love movement. I really do not know, this country is really messed up and with the government beauracy mixed up in the adoption process. Anyways, Fred Thompson thinks that Roe vs Wade should be abolished.

On Free Trade, free trade is actually a good thing for the US AS LONG AS IT IS BALANCED AND FAIR! We should be exporting as much as if not more than we import. It allows for and promotes fair competition. Not the way that Clinton did it.

Answer 3

Reagan, Bush Sr. & Bush Jr. are communist and so is Fred Thompson I hope we never have a Ronald Reagan again, why that means there was a war, they killed many people, spent to much money, the democrats were unable to fix the problem, then we get Mr. Communist he on propose shut down the country, lay off were out of this world unemployment was 18% and in some regions it was higher. I remember in the 80's people could not buy a job much less find one, you may not remember that, people sleeping at the Y in their cars at the park in a tent, ya maybe you had a job, and you think food stamps are bad now just wait till we get another Mr. Communist then you'll turn to the democrates for help.

Answer 4

He's only in it to further fracture the Rep vote.
I just try to remember what a friend who is much wiser than I always told me - Many Senators and Congressman want to be President, and America thinks that's the next logical step for them, but the best Presidents are former Governors not former Senators. That's because as Governor they've learned to govern a state, as a Senator (or Congressman) they've learned to be governed by special interest groups. So I'm hoping that America remembers that when the time is right. Right now it may be a popularity contest, but a good President isn't necessarily a popular one. America still has some time before we have to wake up and realize that while it's good to be popular (like the head cheerleader and the star of the football team in high school), it's better to know Bill Gates - Super Nerd. What we have to do is figure out the following: Bill Gates is to Nerd Ingenuity as ________ is to An Effective President.

Answer 5

As of now I plan to bote for Fred. When the liberal media gets nervous about a Republican like they are doing about Thompson it's a good sign that he is for real.
Obama does have a resume'. He was educated at a Madrasa and that's all I have to know to oppose him, but I have many other reasons also.

Answer 6

Fred Thompson couldn't hold a candle to Ronald Reagan.

Reagan may have slept alot and seemed out of touch but he wasn't lazy. Thompson is lazy.

Reagan had charisma, Thompson has none. He is downright boreing.

Reagan had only a couple of careers, Thompson can't seem to make up his mind what he wants for a career.

Reagan's wife consulted an astrologer and told Ronnie what he should do. Would the bimbo married to Thompson do that?

Reagan got away with the ah shucks mannerisms but he was genuine where Thompson's are put on.

Answer 7

The only way Fred is going to make it is NOT to be compared with Reagan. The only time Reagan should be brought up is in his policy's not in comparing Fred as a Reagan, let him set his on agenda, and if it is good then we will follow.

Answer 8

No, he does not have the charisma which Reagan had, but do a good job as President, perhaps.
He has more experience than Obama, appreciates and likes America more than Hillary and is not a member of the "code pink" group.

Answer 9

Thompsons battle with non-hodgkins lymphoma will be come a huge issue if he is nominated. He has no foreign policy record, and, as such, will be considered less of a candidate than other hopefulls. I know Thompson invigorates the "conservative base", but, I suspect the war on terror and the mess internationally dims that as a deciding factor in middle america, now.

Answer 10

Hummm, Looks like some conservative reported and a answer was deleted, can you say hypocrite? Fred Thompson shoes will be filled the same material that Reagan's were.