My husband told me this morning about the speech Fred Thompson gave on why he wants to be president. I am trying really hard not to get too emotionally invested in this man, because I'm not sure the rest of the country wants the same type of president that I do. And if I want it too badly, I will be too disappointed if it doesn't work out. But I want a president who says things like this:

I approached it from the standpoint of a deal. A kind of a marriage. If one side of a marriage really has to be talked into the marriage, it probably ain’t going to be a good deal. But if you mutually decide it’s going to be a good thing. In this case, if you think this is a good thing for the country, then we have an opportunity to do some wonderful things together.

I’m offering myself up. I’m saying that I have the background, the capability and concern to do this and do it for the right reasons. I’m not particularly interested in running for president, but I think I’d make a good president.

Nowadays, the process has become much more important than it used to be.

I don’t know that they ever asked George Washington a question like this. I don’t know that they ever asked Dwight D. Eisenhower a question like this. But nowadays, it’s all about fire in the belly. I’m not sure in the world we live in today it’s a good thing if a president has too much fire in the belly.

I mean, I just want to quote the whole danged thing, it's that good. He goes on later to say:

If what people really want in their president is a super type A personality, someone who has gotten up every morning and gone to bed every night and been thinking about, for years how they can be president of the United States… someone who can look you straight in the eye and say they’ve enjoyed every minute of campaigning… (laughter) I ain’t that guy. (more laughter) [To questioner] So I hope I’ve discussed that, or I haven’t talked you out of anything. I honestly want… I can’t imagine a worse set of circumstances than achieving the presidency under a false pretenses, especially if you feel the way I do. I’ve gone out of my way to be myself, because I don’t want anybody to think they’re getting something they’re not getting. I’m not consumed by this process, I’m not consumed with the notion of being president. I’m simply saying I’m willing to do what’s necessary to achieve it if I’m in sync with the people. And if the people want me, or somebody like me, I will do what I’ve always done with everything else in my life. I will take it on and do a good job. You’ll have the disadvantage of having someone who probably can’t jump up and click their heels three times, but will tell you the truth. And you’ll know where the president stands at all times.

(Hat tip to my husband and Instapundit.)

Posted by: Sarah at 10:09 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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I will support the Republican nominee for president. I could be fully satisfied with any of the men in the field right now, and I would embrace any one of them as my president. But it's time to say who I'd prefer to see in office, and it's time to get out the checkbook.

I'm with Fred.

And I'm with Fred because of things like this:

But in the last month or so Thompson has acted like a man who has been liberated from something. And that is what voters saw on stage Wednesday: a presidential candidate who has declared himself fully free of the stupid stuff one has to do to become president of the United States.

If you’re going to ask Fred Thompson to participate in a grade-school show of hands, or demand that he sign a pledge, or insist that he speak emotionally and at length about how much his religious faith means to him, well, you can just forget it. He’s not gonna do it.

And that's why we love him.

Posted by: Sarah at 05:45 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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1 Although I don't particularly care for Thompson, I did enjoy seeing his refusal to answer one of the questions posed at the most recent debates--I think it had something to do with global warming. It was another intended to push the Republicans into a corner from which they can never get out. I commend him for pushing back.

Posted by: Nicole at December 14, 2007 06:32 AM (r5h4I)

2 Everytime I do a political survey, he is my top match.

Posted by: Kasey at December 14, 2007 06:38 AM (tttDj)

3 I'm with Fred, though I've been trying to talk myself out of it lately. But if he's got what it takes to finish, I'll be right there with him.

Posted by: pam at December 14, 2007 06:39 AM (l6NIn)

4 I could be on board with Fred or Mitt, anyone but Hillary or (*Gulb*) Obama. I need more time frankly.

Posted by: tim at December 14, 2007 08:10 AM (nno0f)

5 I am on board with Fred myself! We will see what the coming months brings for him and if I still have him as a choice in Nov. If not, I will have to step back and take another look around, yuck!!

Posted by: LMT at December 15, 2007 05:38 AM (y9taJ)

6 Yes, I am fully on board with Fred too. Because that guy never makes a misstep or rather "misspeak". I love his answers to the stupid questions they have been throwing at the candidates, and not just the debate questions, but the stupid questions along the lines of briefs or boxers, like: What do you like to do in your lazy time? Fred: campaign. What is your most prized possession? (Other candidates answers: Obama: picture of where his mother's ashes are scattered; McCain: autographed baseball) Fred: My trophy wife. How refreshing, a guy who refuses to campaign, but just wants to be President. I hope the Republicans wise up and elect him as the Rep candidate.

Posted by: CaliValleyGirl at December 17, 2007 02:26 PM (Ijp/q)

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I am always fascinated when I come across something that a vaunted past president did, something that would never be considered heroic or courageous if the current president did it.

Right before the move to Dorchester Heights during the Revolutionary War, George Washington issued the following order to his continental army (as quoted in David McCullough's 1776):

But it may not be amiss for the troops to know that if any man in action shall presume to skulk, hide himself, or retreat from the enemy, without the orders of his commanding officer, he will be instantly shot down, as an example of cowardice. [emphasis in original]

Just imagine, if you will, our current George putting forth such an order...

Posted by: Sarah at 03:28 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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