FRED THOMPSON:
This is a battle for the heart and soul of the Republican Party and its future. On the one hand, you have the Reagan revolution. You have the Reagan coalition of limited government and strong national security.
On the other hand, you have the direction that Governor Huckabee would take us in. He would be a Christian leader, but he would also bring about liberal economic policies, liberal foreign policies. He believes we have an arrogant foreign policy and the tradition of, blame America first. He believes that Guantanamo should be closed down and those enemy combatants brought here to the United States to find their way into the court system eventually. He believes in taxpayer-funded programs for illegals, as he did in Arkansas. He has the endorsement of the National Education Association, and the NEA said it was because of his opposition to vouchers. He said he would sign a bill that would ban smoking nationwide. So much for federalism. So much for states’ rights. So much for individual rights.
That’s not the model of the Reagan coalition, that’s the model of the Democratic Party.
I’m so tired of Fred Thompson. I know he’s been out of the game for a while but in case he forgot we already have liberal economic policies in place. Prescription drug coverage and No Child Left Behind are just two of the worst examples. Thompson talks about liberal foreign policies? We’re in the middle of the costliest kind of liberal foreign policy (i.e. nation building) since WWII.
Nevertheless, I’ll try to answer his criticisms.
Governors have to govern. It’s a simple fact that they represent 100% of the people and not just the percent who voted in favor. That said, Huckabee spent tax dollars on things that give people opportunities to succeed. He spent money to educate people so they can learn and become more productive citizens. He spent money on roads and infrastructure so people and businesses can move goods and services efficiently and effectively. These two things are essential for a community/state/nation to improve. Government ought to provide people opportunities to better their lives. It’s why I think libraries are essential for a community. It gives everyone access to bettering their lives.
As for Thompson’s critique of education dollars going to the children of illegal immigrants (who, if born here, are citizens) then I agree with Huckabee that we shouldn’t punish kids for what their parents did. Additionally, we’re a nation hungry for highly-skilled workers. So if we can create an opportunity for someone to better their lives and improve our nation, while simultaneously helping that person assimilate into the great American melting pot - I’m in favor. By the way, I’m pretty sure Reagan would have sided with Huckabee on this one.
Huckabee didn’t say ‘we’ have an arrogant foreign policy. He said this administration has an arrogant approach to foreign policy. Having voted for the President twice (and attending the second inaugural) I tend to agree. The Bush administration has always carried itself with a degree of arrogance. The insular circle of advisers and demands of loyalty always struck me as a poor way to manage. Rumsfeld’s refusing to listen to his generals in the start-up of the war as they asked for more troops. The foreign policy game has always been played a little differently. There’s a history and culture to statecraft that is honored and respected by those on the inside. Bush refused to play by declaring that you’re either with us or against us. Granted, it’s wholly within his right to do so, but it was an arrogant move. And nowhere has Huckabee ‘blamed America first’. That’s a cowardly sound-bite and nothing more.
I don’t know what should be done with Guantanamo. The decision is not as easy as either side portrays.
There’s a tremendous amount of sense to a national smoking ban. The Republican Governor of Minnesota (and likely McCain VP) signed a bill banning smoking in public places. On average, the typical smoker is poorer and less well-educated. On average, the poorer and less-educated end up on public health care assistance. If we can limit the number of smokers who use government run health care then we can reduce the amount of money taxpayers are forced to shell out each year. Although, I’m sympathetic to Thompson’s federalism argument.
But let’s not get carried away with these appeals to Reagan’s legacy. It was never as pure as Thompson thinks. Huckabee’s for an effective government and strong national defense. He’s got a record of success and a personality that’s appealing. Is Huckabee the best Republican? No. Of the top five candidates, he’s better than the rest and he’s my choice.
