Can you handle Fred as your President?

Or can you handle the truth?


I finally got around to watching Fred Thompson's 17 minute video he made for the folks in Iowa. In watching it I more and more believe that the man is not just a stuffed shirt. When he talks about being a leader he talks about what it really means to be a leader. Most politicians I classify as managers. There is a big difference and I have a little bit of experience at being both.
The questions for Republicans and conservatives is can you really handle a conservative leader like Fred? Look inside yourself. Do you really want somebody who will do the tough things required? Or do you just want somebody who can make you feel good and not interrupt your life? Everybody has their own personal list of what they want the president to address. But how many candidates have stood up and actually said they are looking out for the best interest of the country and not whatever special interest group they happen to be addressing at the moment?
I think Fred is that man. You need to give this video a view and watch it and listen, really listen. At the end if you don't think he is a conservative and you still consider yourself a Republican maybe you need to reevaluate who you consider to be a RINO (Republican In Name Only). Are you looking at the candidates based merely on the "electability" factor or are you willing to vote for someone who will attempt to restore the conservative principles that Republicans used to stand for?
This isn't American Idol. The mere fact that he is having trouble gaining traction in the polls is a combination of several factors, but he isn't one to make excuses. He hasn't changed what he says in this video from what he was saying 3 months ago.
I think at the end of the day it is going to boil down to what does the average American, of whatever political persuasion, is willing to do to keep America the greatest country on the face of the earth. We have a very small minority of the population, those who wear the uniform of this country and are facing head on the specter of the Islamic extremist, and winning, who know what they are willing to sacrifice to make that happen. If the only thing you are concerned about is your 9 to 5 existence and life continuing just as it is then Fred isn't your man. This country was formed, founded, and thrust into it's position of international prominence by men and women who were willing to challenge the unknown. To explore brave new frontiers, whether it was getting on a ship and coming to the new world, pushing westward in the great unknown expanses of this country or "slipping the surly bonds of earth" to explore space.
The issues facing us today internally are those of Social Security, Illegal Immigration, Tax Reform, and Health Insurance, (not healthcare).
The external issues to deal with are the spread of Islamic extremism. To get better informed read some news stories from Europe where their attempts to pander to the radical Muslim community has simply resulted in dead citizens and continued threats of violence against any who would dare question the religious zealots. National security can not and must not begin at our borders. I believe in accommodating the Muslim religion in my country when the Middle Eastern countries allow other religions in their midst. If you didn't know that it is illegal to bring a Bible into Saudi Arabia or that the death penalty awaits any who try to build a new church in the Muslim world then you need to become more aware of what it is these countries, who never miss a chance to condemn and criticize us for alleged Islamic hostility, are all about.
Fred addresses all of these issues and admits that the solutions are not simple, but require everybody working together. If all you are concerned about is whether or not the guy who stands up for America is electable, based on pronouncements from the media and the pundits, then continue watching American Idol and texting in your vote every week but for goodness sake don't participate in our national elections.
So are you going to vote for the guy with the good hair or vote for somebody who can keep this country on it's path of moving forward, being a leader in the world. If you wish to stay in your group mentality and go along with the crowd, not stand out, avoid any kind of attention and just remain a nameless, faceless, dweller of the international prairie dog village, that silently passes from the scene and 2 weeks later folks are asking the question, whatever happened to..., then vote for the guy or girl with the best soundbites or the one you think can win because that is what the voices on the flickering idiot box in your living room told you would win, then Fred isn't your man. If Appalachian State had listened to all those voices they never would have beaten Michigan State in the first game of the college football season this year. If our soldiers in the field had listened to all the expert armchair quarterbacks, instead of the one leading them we couldn't have turned Iraq around.
So listen to the pundits or listen to person who can lead you. The choice is yours. Choose wisely.

UPDATED: It appears I have a confirmation of my thoughts concerning Fred from the very person who asked the Do you have the fire in your belly question. Fred is the man to be president.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are those of mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the management or any other contributor to this blog.