Posted by student JAMES MITCHELL- Fred Thompson’s speech in Cedar Rapids yesterday would have worked well at a rodeo or a shooting range. Yet, Thompson’s “common sense conservatism” seemed slightly out of place at the Elite Home and Design store where he spoke.
Thompson seemed unfazed by his slightly odd venue. The former senator from Tennessee began his speech by telling the crowd that “we live in the greatest country in the history of the world” because “we had some ol’ boys that reminded the world that our rights come from God and not from the federal government.”
Unlike many of his conservative counterparts, Thompson chose to lash out at the Democrats instead of his Republican competition: “the Democrats will lead us to weaker national defense, to a welfare state, and to a weaker, more divided country. And that’s what Thursday is really all about. Somebody has got to stand in the way of that.”
Thompson nominated himself as just the man for the job. He praised his 100% pro-life voting record and consistent conservative stances on issues. Thompson told the crowd “I’m gonna do what I think is right. Where I stand doesn’t depend on where I’m standing.”
The former senator addressed his second-tier status with a story from his first campaign. According to Thompson, he entered his first race for the Senate 20 points down but by election night he had come out 20 points ahead. “This ain’t my first rodeo folks. I don’t like losing and I don’t intend to start doing so now.”
With the latest Des Moines Register poll showing Thompson tied for fourth place with 9% support in Iowa, the former senator will need another election night turnaround if he is to stave off an impending loss in the Hawkeye State.
James Mitchell is a Clinton School student covering the Iowa Caucuses for the Clinton School Blog.
