The American Spectator

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Wish List Woes

3.1.07 @ 12:01AM

BITING AND NOT BUYING
Re: The Prowler's Run, Fred, Run:

How desperate are you to fill this column every day? Fred Thompson as a Senator was a great actor. He had many opportunities to shine and champion the conservative cause; he chose none. Get a grip.
-- Donald J. Morrissey

Does anyone recall that Fred Thompson was one of a handful of Senators to vote against Bill Clinton's conviction following his impeachment?

Why would he have done that?
-- Joe Librandi

The Prowler reports that Fred Thompson, along with Jeb Bush, has been placed "on a conservative wish list for those not happy with the current crop of Republican presidential candidates in 2008."

Tell me. What conservative would ever again vote for a Bush?
-- Jack Hughes
Chicago, Illinois

I'm a conservative, and Jeb Bush is not on my wish list. In fact, I don't consider Jeb Bush, or his brother, to be conservatives. Thompson, on the other hand, is someone I could possibly support, but we don't need more faux conservatives like the Bushes, McCain, or Giuliani.
-- Wade White
Franklin, New York

Fred Thompson of Tennessee for President? We can have: Giuliani, the pro abortion gun grabber; McCain, the unpredictable maverick; Jeb Bush, who runs from confrontation and conflict; Mitt Romney, who blows hot but mostly cold; or a host of other lesser lights. OK, I prefer Fred, but simply as the best of what's available.
-- Lifelong Conservative who votes Republican

Every time that I read or hear someone touting Fred Thompson for President, I immediately think, "Hey, get serious, will you." I immediately run through a whole litany of reasons why such a thing makes no sense and is a flight of fancy. My problem is that the list of reasons that he couldn't, and shouldn't, win keeps getting shorter and shorter, and the list of reasons for him to run keep getting longer and longer.

First, he is an actor, but so was St. Ronald of Reagan, my favorite of all time. Then I remember that he really was a federal prosecutor with a record of success.

But that isn't it. There is just something about the man that makes me want to trust him. He just looks serious and solidly intelligent, with a strong dose of common sense. Then there is his voice. He sounds like a man of seriousness, and yet a pleasant man. Darn it, he sounds like a man that you can trust to be the head of your family or the President of your country.

I don't know that I can sensibly articulate why I am so favorably disposed toward him, but darn it, he just seems right for the job. I sure like him a whole bunch better than the current list on offer from the GOP ranks.
-- Ken Shreve
Conservative first, Republican second

As an avid reader of The American Spectator online, I have been enjoying the debate concerning potential Republican candidates. Simply having this debate, I believe, is very healthy. One factor that I haven't noticed in the discussion is the visual appeal of the potential candidates. For better or worse, the general public likes visual appeal; a lot of eyes notice the flashy red sports car as it goes by, so to speak. I think it is important that we acknowledge this reality, but also ensure that there is quality of character behind the public face; sort of "check under the hood," if you will. With this considered I would like to offer another ticket possibility: How about Tony Snow and J.C. Watts? I think this would be a very appealing ticket backed by solid conservative principles, political skill, and excellent character. This pairing would have tremendous public appeal, not to mention coattails for potential congressional candidates. This could lead to eight or sixteen years of conservative presidential dominance. I realize that neither are currently candidates, but we could draft them. There is currently no military draft, but, with sincere apologies to J.C. and Tony, I am not aware of any prohibition against a political draft!
-- Michael Jones
Delaware, Ohio

Why such worry among conservatives about the 2008 elections? So many touted the benefits of losing in 2006 I'm convinced that a bigger loss in 2008 is what we really need to teach those nasty Republicans a lesson. Hey, we can throw away or afford to lose an election or two, or at least that's what I read one American Spectator contributor suggesting. So let's LOSE ONE for the Gripers in '08.
-- Michael Tomlinson
Jacksonville, North Carolina

Yes...Yes...Yes.

Letter to the Editor

topics:
Bill Clinton, Business, Sports, Abortion, Law, Military, Iraq, Iran, NATO, Nuclear Weapons, Oil