Can Fred Thompson capture the Republican presidential nomination?

Question

Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson is a latecomer into the GOP race for the White House. Trailing in the polls and fundraising, Thompson has been gaining momentum and steam.

I like Thompson in that he is a devoted Christian. He's a born again believer which is very important to me as a believer in Christ.

I think in a head to head matchup with Hillary Clinton, Thompson would win. It would be a very close race decided by only one or two states, but I think Fred Dalton Thompson could very well become the next President of the United States. In my view, when it comes down to it, many people just will not vote for Hillary under any circumstances.

This is not to say that our country is not ready for a female president. It probably is. Just not THAT woman!!

I look forward to seeing your responses.

Answer 1

Thompson's conservative credentials are strong and one of the many advantages he offers to the GOP and the nation is that he has the clout and name recognition to defeat Hillary and/or Obama the likely Democrat nominees.

Thompson also offers something that is not in the current field of GOP candidates. His strong conservative stands coupled with the name recognition makes him a very viable candidate unlike other conservatives in the field like Tom Tancredo and Duncan Hunter. Both are good men and strong conservatives but unfortunately facing the facts neither has the ability to win in November 2008.

In a comparison to the top tier candidates, Giuliani, McCain and Romney, Thompson is more conservative than each of the three. Romney's record despite his conservative talk of late is very left of center. McCain has irritated much of the GOP base and again he is centrist or left of center. Giuliani while conservative on foreign policy and issues involving the war has received much criticism for his liberal stances on social issues.

Thompson is not a far right conservative but his voting record and stand on issues defiantly puts him very right of center. With the seeming collapse of the GOP and the recent news of grassroots support of the party decreasing because of the immigration issue, Thompson has the capability of bringing the base and those who are somewhat disillusioned with the GOP back to the fold.

This factor also is another reason for the surge in popularity for his candidacy since it again emphasizes his ability to beat the Democrat nominee and prevent the likely nominee Hillary Clinton from gaining The White House. Additionally his strong conservative stands will force the GOP to once again base the party platform on conservative ideals that brought the party into prominence in the 80's under Reagan and into power in 1994.

Thompson will stop the GOP from running away from conservatism and rather embrace it especially if he continues to gain support as he has been. The latest Rasmussen poll shows that since his announcement he has taken the lead from Rudy and now is increasing the gap each week.

Fred Dalton Thompson, conservative values, ideals and leadership that brings to the 2008 Presidential race what the country is looking for.

Answer 2

I think a lot of people (people like you) were looking forward to Thompson to capture the race. The field of Republican candidates this year are not exactly giants. They all are seriously flawed. Thompson is at least a good speaker, and Reagan and Bill Clinton were both helped considerably by their speaking skills. Thompson has good name recognition, people have seen him on TV and know who he is.

But I think Thompson has been a disappointment. He looks old and tired, with his face all saggy and big bags under his eyes. He doesn't speak well at all without a script. He hasn't raised as much money as the leaders.

It's a long long way to the Republican convention, it's going to be like a marathon race. I don't know if Thompson will be able to keep the pace.

Answer 3

Thompson has a chance becaue front-runner Giuliani will not get the nomination. He is too liberal on social issues, and he favors amnesty for all the non-criminal illegal aliens in the USA. Romney will be Thompson's toughest competition, with Huckabee having an outside chance becaue of he is so likable. Old man McCaine doesn't have a chance.

Clinton has very high negatives; a recent Zogby poll said that 50% of respondents would not vote for her. The Repubs do have a legitimate chance of winning the presidency if Clinton is the Dem candidate.

Answer 4

I don't know. I would like to see much more of him and like to hear his ideas so I can make a decision. Yes, I watched the debate, but just a few questions and answers are not enough to really get to know what he is all about. He needs to get out there in the public more and catch up. By the way, there is no religious test to be President of the United States.

Answer 5

I don't think so, and there was a time that I actually felt threatened by his entry (in view of my support for another candidate). However, he seems to have fizzled, and isn't getting any traction. Hillary is a candidate, that I would just stay home for, or vote against.

Answer 6

I would vote for a tuna sandwich over Hillary Clinton, and I can't stand any kind of seafood.

Answer 7

First, you like a candidate, because he is a devoted Christian? Maybe even more like Bush and Reagan, giving us more wars and national debt? I take an unholy smart Hillary ten times, before I vote for a religious nut.

Answer 8

Not a chance.

Hillary's ahead in the polls. Most of the people saying they won't vote for Hillary are white Republican men and the elderly that probably won't vote anyway.

Answer 9

He can if his voters wake up in time...I like what Nixon had to say about Fred.

Answer 10

No.