Showing posts with label Fred Thompson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fred Thompson. Show all posts
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Fred Meets the Press!
What a difference from the debates and all the crappy little sound bites the MSM wants to feed us. This was FDT at his finest. Competent, passionate and mostly, presidential. He met Russert's good questions with better answers. I'm thinking his numbers shoud rise a bit.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
FDT Raises $8 Million
Thompson campaign raises $8M in third quarter (City Paper/Rodgers)
Fred Thompson’s presidential campaign raised more than $8 million for the third quarter of this year, an official with his campaign confirmed Monday. The former Tennessee senator took in money from more than 70,000 donors and since announcing his presidential aspirations Sept. 5 has averaged more than $200,000 raised per day. The money does not include the $3.5 million he took in for the month of June.
The more than $8 million covers the time from July 1 to Sept. 30. Last week, Thompson argued that his fund raising numbers should be judged “apple to apple” with other candidates for only the three-and-a-half weeks he had been running, not three months. That’s despite Thompson raising funds for the entire third quarter. He said he wasn’t running on “all cylinders” for most of that period since he wasn’t an official candidate.
Stuart Rothenberg, the editor of the nonpartisan Rothenberg Political Report, has said Thompson should be judged against the first quarters of candidates when they entered the field. Rothenberg has said Thompson should have raised about $20 million.
Outside of Thompson, one of his opponents for the Republican nod, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), raised more than $5 million. The totals for former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney weren’t available.
http://e-paper.nashvillecitypaper.com/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToPrint_CITYPAPERD&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=TCP/2007/10/02&ID=Ar00801&PageLabel=8
Fred Thompson’s presidential campaign raised more than $8 million for the third quarter of this year, an official with his campaign confirmed Monday. The former Tennessee senator took in money from more than 70,000 donors and since announcing his presidential aspirations Sept. 5 has averaged more than $200,000 raised per day. The money does not include the $3.5 million he took in for the month of June.
The more than $8 million covers the time from July 1 to Sept. 30. Last week, Thompson argued that his fund raising numbers should be judged “apple to apple” with other candidates for only the three-and-a-half weeks he had been running, not three months. That’s despite Thompson raising funds for the entire third quarter. He said he wasn’t running on “all cylinders” for most of that period since he wasn’t an official candidate.
Stuart Rothenberg, the editor of the nonpartisan Rothenberg Political Report, has said Thompson should be judged against the first quarters of candidates when they entered the field. Rothenberg has said Thompson should have raised about $20 million.
Outside of Thompson, one of his opponents for the Republican nod, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), raised more than $5 million. The totals for former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney weren’t available.
http://e-paper.nashvillecitypaper.com/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToPrint_CITYPAPERD&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=TCP/2007/10/02&ID=Ar00801&PageLabel=8
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Essentially, It's About Freedom!
"In 1994 when I first ran, I advocated the same common sense conservative positions that I hold today. They are based upon what I believe to be sound conservative First Principles - reflecting the nature of man and the wisdom of the ages. They are based upon the conviction that our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution are not outdated documents that have outlived their usefulness. It is a recognition that our basic rights come from God and not from government. That government should have its power divided, not only at the federal level but between the federal government and the states. Federalism is the belief that not every problem should have a federal solution. Essentially it's about freedom. A government that is big enough to do everything for us is powerful enough to do anything to us."
Fred on Tour - Come out and Show Support
Fred is going to be traveling around the country in the coming days.. Below is the schedule of events. Please check back often for more information on upcoming events.
http://www.fred08.com/BusTour/EventList.aspx
Bikers in New Hampshire, Iowa and South Carolina are invited to attend these rallies and let Fred know you support his candidacy!
http://www.fred08.com/BusTour/EventList.aspx
Bikers in New Hampshire, Iowa and South Carolina are invited to attend these rallies and let Fred know you support his candidacy!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Fred Riding Into Race Sep 6
I had the pleasure of being in on the conference call where the announcement of when and how was made. Sep 15 in Lawrenceburg there will be a big "homecoming" event.
WASHINGTON - Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson will make the long-awaited announcement of his Republican presidential bid using an Internet Web cast next Thursday, his political director said Thursday.
Thompson will then travel to Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina - key states in the nominating process - before ending his launch with a homecoming event in his hometown of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., on Sept. 15, according to a statement provided in behalf of Randy Enwright, Thompson’s national political director.
Thompson told his supporters of his plans during a 4 p.m. conference call.
Thompson, 65, is known more for his acting career, most recently as a star of the popular NBC series "Law & Order," than his eight-year stint as a senator and many more as a lobbyist and Washington, D.C., political operative.
Thompson shows up as No. 2 in most national polls behind former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, with strong organizations in Iowa and New Hampshire, and Sen. John McCain of Arizona are the other leading contenders in what will become a nine-member field.
But he has faced criticism in recent weeks, even from some supporters, for delaying his formal announcement and shuffling his staff as well as lower-than-expected fundraising.
WASHINGTON - Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson will make the long-awaited announcement of his Republican presidential bid using an Internet Web cast next Thursday, his political director said Thursday.
Thompson will then travel to Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina - key states in the nominating process - before ending his launch with a homecoming event in his hometown of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., on Sept. 15, according to a statement provided in behalf of Randy Enwright, Thompson’s national political director.
Thompson told his supporters of his plans during a 4 p.m. conference call.
Thompson, 65, is known more for his acting career, most recently as a star of the popular NBC series "Law & Order," than his eight-year stint as a senator and many more as a lobbyist and Washington, D.C., political operative.
Thompson shows up as No. 2 in most national polls behind former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, with strong organizations in Iowa and New Hampshire, and Sen. John McCain of Arizona are the other leading contenders in what will become a nine-member field.
But he has faced criticism in recent weeks, even from some supporters, for delaying his formal announcement and shuffling his staff as well as lower-than-expected fundraising.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Bikers for Fred Now Organizing - State Coordinators Needed
Bikers for Fred is preparing for the launch of the official campaign and we are actively seeking those who would wish to be state or regional coordinators in this grass roots effort. State coordinators will establish a network of state leadership, a calendar of key events to ensure Fred, or surrogates, or Bikers for Fred leadership, that can participate in key events and other activities.
If you haven't studied Fred's positions and ideas, please visit the newly redesigned www.ImWithFred.com and spend some time with Fred. Learn about the principles of Federalism and how Fred applies them to his vision and ask yourself, how many of those principles parallel the freedom that bikers know, love and want to protect.
Is this the year that the American Biker makes their vote a recognized factor in a presidential race? We at Bikers for Fred feel Fred D Thompson is the (almost) Presidential candidate who will become the nominee. Join us!
Email mrfreedommc@gmail.com with Bikers for Fred in the subect line.
If you haven't studied Fred's positions and ideas, please visit the newly redesigned www.ImWithFred.com and spend some time with Fred. Learn about the principles of Federalism and how Fred applies them to his vision and ask yourself, how many of those principles parallel the freedom that bikers know, love and want to protect.
Is this the year that the American Biker makes their vote a recognized factor in a presidential race? We at Bikers for Fred feel Fred D Thompson is the (almost) Presidential candidate who will become the nominee. Join us!
Email mrfreedommc@gmail.com with Bikers for Fred in the subect line.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Announcement Imminent?
from http://http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=070816130629.x6a0742y&show_article=1
Billed as a savior of conservatives left cold by 2008 Republican White House hopefuls, screen star Fred Thompson Friday dips a toe into the race in Iowa. But has his rescue mission come too late?
The craggy former senator's visit to supporters in the strategic state is the latest signal that an official campaign launch is imminent.
Thompson, star of internationally syndicated crime drama "Law Order," had been expected to take the plunge a few months ago. Now the smart money is on an early September debut -- four months before first nominating contests.
A Thompson campaign aide declined to confirm such rumors Wednesday, saying the 64-year-old, six-foot-six (two meter) star of "The Hunt for Red October" was still "testing the waters."
But when he does join the fray, how will Thompson fare against rivals who have been on the trail and piling up huge war chests for months?
If polls are to be believed, his spell on the sidelines was a political masterstroke.
In an average of recent national surveys by website Real Clear Politics, he sits second to former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani, and is a clear top-tier candidate in polls in key states in the nominating process.
But the phantom candidacy has also exerted a price. Back in May, when news of a possible run surfaced, Thompson basked in a wave of favorable publicity. But since then, reports have emerged of several campaign shake-ups and gossipy accounts of supposed overreaching by Thompson's wife and advisor Jeri.
Still, Thompson remains well placed, said Dan Shea, professor of politics at Allegheny College.
"I think it was rather strategic ... on the Republican side I think that a lot of voters and potential contributors have been only moderately pleased with the field."
"Jumping in late gives them the impression that he is the savior of the party -- so I think it was smart," Shea said.
But Thompson faces soaring expectations from Republicans desperate for the mix of plain-spoken conservatism and charisma embodied by another former screen star, their hero Ronald Reagan.
Critics, though, have complained Thompson is a mere shadow of the late ex-president, with a modest record as a Tennessee senator between 1994 and 2003.
But Thompson's trump card may be his gruff, no-nonsense character and southern charm, rather than a stuffed policy briefing book.
"Ronald Reagan was popular and effective because of his personality, not because of his record of achievement as governor of California," Shea said.
"His personality fit a need at the time -- that's I think what Republicans are looking for now."
Thompson's tax-cutting, small government ways sit well with conservatives yearning for a Reagan substitute.
"He is very much out of the Reagan mould, he is very much a federalist," said Professor John Geer, of Vanderbilt University, Tennessee. "He speaks to a lot of old-time Republican concerns."
Thompson's return from the wilderness may reflect weakness in the overall Republican field, some analysts believe. Giuliani's past positions on issues like abortion are seen as too liberal by many social conservatives. Senator John McCain is struggling just to keep his campaign alive and Mitt Romney, the ex-governor of Massachusetts, is accused of hiding a moderate political past.
Thompson skeptics, though, point to his disappointing fundraising haul of just 3.4 million dollars in June. His backers, however, predict money will pour in when he enters the race for real.
Thompson has been holding forth on his new website "ImwithFred.com," calling for higher defense spending, lower taxes and sticking with the current surge strategy in Iraq.
In previous articles and blog postings with various conservative sites, Thompson has branded Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a "pirate" and accused Democrats of "investing" in a US defeat in Iraq. He harbors a dark world view of looming future threats and has accused NATO allies of slumbering through a showdown with Al-Qaeda's forces of "nihilism."
Billed as a savior of conservatives left cold by 2008 Republican White House hopefuls, screen star Fred Thompson Friday dips a toe into the race in Iowa. But has his rescue mission come too late?
The craggy former senator's visit to supporters in the strategic state is the latest signal that an official campaign launch is imminent.
Thompson, star of internationally syndicated crime drama "Law Order," had been expected to take the plunge a few months ago. Now the smart money is on an early September debut -- four months before first nominating contests.
A Thompson campaign aide declined to confirm such rumors Wednesday, saying the 64-year-old, six-foot-six (two meter) star of "The Hunt for Red October" was still "testing the waters."
But when he does join the fray, how will Thompson fare against rivals who have been on the trail and piling up huge war chests for months?
If polls are to be believed, his spell on the sidelines was a political masterstroke.
In an average of recent national surveys by website Real Clear Politics, he sits second to former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani, and is a clear top-tier candidate in polls in key states in the nominating process.
But the phantom candidacy has also exerted a price. Back in May, when news of a possible run surfaced, Thompson basked in a wave of favorable publicity. But since then, reports have emerged of several campaign shake-ups and gossipy accounts of supposed overreaching by Thompson's wife and advisor Jeri.
Still, Thompson remains well placed, said Dan Shea, professor of politics at Allegheny College.
"I think it was rather strategic ... on the Republican side I think that a lot of voters and potential contributors have been only moderately pleased with the field."
"Jumping in late gives them the impression that he is the savior of the party -- so I think it was smart," Shea said.
But Thompson faces soaring expectations from Republicans desperate for the mix of plain-spoken conservatism and charisma embodied by another former screen star, their hero Ronald Reagan.
Critics, though, have complained Thompson is a mere shadow of the late ex-president, with a modest record as a Tennessee senator between 1994 and 2003.
But Thompson's trump card may be his gruff, no-nonsense character and southern charm, rather than a stuffed policy briefing book.
"Ronald Reagan was popular and effective because of his personality, not because of his record of achievement as governor of California," Shea said.
"His personality fit a need at the time -- that's I think what Republicans are looking for now."
Thompson's tax-cutting, small government ways sit well with conservatives yearning for a Reagan substitute.
"He is very much out of the Reagan mould, he is very much a federalist," said Professor John Geer, of Vanderbilt University, Tennessee. "He speaks to a lot of old-time Republican concerns."
Thompson's return from the wilderness may reflect weakness in the overall Republican field, some analysts believe. Giuliani's past positions on issues like abortion are seen as too liberal by many social conservatives. Senator John McCain is struggling just to keep his campaign alive and Mitt Romney, the ex-governor of Massachusetts, is accused of hiding a moderate political past.
Thompson skeptics, though, point to his disappointing fundraising haul of just 3.4 million dollars in June. His backers, however, predict money will pour in when he enters the race for real.
Thompson has been holding forth on his new website "ImwithFred.com," calling for higher defense spending, lower taxes and sticking with the current surge strategy in Iraq.
In previous articles and blog postings with various conservative sites, Thompson has branded Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a "pirate" and accused Democrats of "investing" in a US defeat in Iraq. He harbors a dark world view of looming future threats and has accused NATO allies of slumbering through a showdown with Al-Qaeda's forces of "nihilism."
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Fair Tax Fred?
Courtesy of Marc Ambinder at The Atlantic...
Mr. Leo Linbeck, Chairman
Americans for Fair Taxation
Dear Leo:
I’ve appreciated seeing the Fair Tax folks when I'm out on the road, as well as their enthusiasm when they've come to my events. Although I wish they’d get my good side when they roll their cameras!
My staff and I have been working with Americans for Fair Taxation for some time now. We share the same belief that the next President should enact a fundamental overhaul of the tax code that makes it fairer, simpler, and more pro-growth. There are a number of ways to do that, and over the years I've looked at many of them.
Congress must begin a serious consideration of real fundamental tax reform, rather than nibbling around the edges. I think the principles and ideas found in the Fair Tax are a good place to start, particularly given the grassroots support it enjoys across the country.
Good luck in Iowa this weekend!
Regards,
Fred Thompson
Mr. Leo Linbeck, Chairman
Americans for Fair Taxation
Dear Leo:
I’ve appreciated seeing the Fair Tax folks when I'm out on the road, as well as their enthusiasm when they've come to my events. Although I wish they’d get my good side when they roll their cameras!
My staff and I have been working with Americans for Fair Taxation for some time now. We share the same belief that the next President should enact a fundamental overhaul of the tax code that makes it fairer, simpler, and more pro-growth. There are a number of ways to do that, and over the years I've looked at many of them.
Congress must begin a serious consideration of real fundamental tax reform, rather than nibbling around the edges. I think the principles and ideas found in the Fair Tax are a good place to start, particularly given the grassroots support it enjoys across the country.
Good luck in Iowa this weekend!
Regards,
Fred Thompson
Monday, August 13, 2007
Bill Lacy Comes on Board
Truman Bean over at Tennesseansforthompson.com has a good piece on the hiring of Bill Lacy.
Potential presidential candidate Fred Thompson named one of his old operatives and former Reagan political aide Bill Lacy the manager of his “testing the waters” committee Wednesday.
Potential presidential candidate Fred Thompson named one of his old operatives and former Reagan political aide Bill Lacy the manager of his “testing the waters” committee Wednesday.
Thompson OUT! (Tommy that is)
Bike riding Tommy Thompson has called it quits in the Race for the White House.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/08/thompsons_out.html
Tommy Thompson Is First Victim of Iowa Straw Poll
Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson dropped out of the race for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination tonight, a day after he finished a disappointing sixth in the Ames Straw Poll in Iowa.
Tommy Thompson, the four-term governor of Wisconsin and Cabinet secretary in the Bush administration, pulled out of the Republican presidential race Sunday, a day after placing sixth in the Iowa GOP straw poll. (Getty Images)
"I have no regrets about running," Thompson said in a statement released by his campaign. "I felt my record as Governor of Wisconsin and Secretary of Health and Human Services gave me the experience I needed to serve as President, but I respect the decision of the voters."
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/08/thompsons_out.html
Tommy Thompson Is First Victim of Iowa Straw Poll
Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson dropped out of the race for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination tonight, a day after he finished a disappointing sixth in the Ames Straw Poll in Iowa.
Tommy Thompson, the four-term governor of Wisconsin and Cabinet secretary in the Bush administration, pulled out of the Republican presidential race Sunday, a day after placing sixth in the Iowa GOP straw poll. (Getty Images)
"I have no regrets about running," Thompson said in a statement released by his campaign. "I felt my record as Governor of Wisconsin and Secretary of Health and Human Services gave me the experience I needed to serve as President, but I respect the decision of the voters."
Friday, August 10, 2007
Fred's Headed to Iowa!
Actor-politician Fred Thompson to visit Iowa next week
Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson plans to make his first Iowa campaign trip as a presidential prospect next week, a development that is expected to reset the Republican field in the leadoff caucus state in the wake of the GOP straw poll in Ames on this Saturday.
“Then the campaign for the caucuses begins,” said John Maxwell, chief adviser to U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Ia. “There are going to be players leaving the stage after Saturday, and so it is going to be a new lineup.
”Thompson is scheduled to visit the Des Moines area on Aug. 17 and meet with state legislators and social conservative activists before attending the Iowa State Fair, always a “must” on the summertime campaign trail in Iowa. The schedule is a sign that Thompson, one of the Republican Party’s favorites in Iowa and nationally, would compete in Iowa’s 2008 caucuses, state political observers and Republican strategists said.Thompson is expected to officially announce his candidacy for the GOP nomination in September. He is not planning to be in Ames Saturday, when eight of the Republican field’s other candidates and thousands of Iowa GOP stalwarts will be on Iowa State University campus for the non-binding straw poll vote.
Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson plans to make his first Iowa campaign trip as a presidential prospect next week, a development that is expected to reset the Republican field in the leadoff caucus state in the wake of the GOP straw poll in Ames on this Saturday.
“Then the campaign for the caucuses begins,” said John Maxwell, chief adviser to U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Ia. “There are going to be players leaving the stage after Saturday, and so it is going to be a new lineup.
”Thompson is scheduled to visit the Des Moines area on Aug. 17 and meet with state legislators and social conservative activists before attending the Iowa State Fair, always a “must” on the summertime campaign trail in Iowa. The schedule is a sign that Thompson, one of the Republican Party’s favorites in Iowa and nationally, would compete in Iowa’s 2008 caucuses, state political observers and Republican strategists said.Thompson is expected to officially announce his candidacy for the GOP nomination in September. He is not planning to be in Ames Saturday, when eight of the Republican field’s other candidates and thousands of Iowa GOP stalwarts will be on Iowa State University campus for the non-binding straw poll vote.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Fred on Values, Principles, Federalism
Thanks to Truman Bean at TennesseansforFred.blogspot.com for the heads up on this video!
Friday, July 27, 2007
Fred on the Hazleton Decision
http://fredfile.imwithfred.com/2007/hazelton-immigraton-decision/
Hazleton Immigration Decision
Posted on July 26th, 2007
By Fred in Commentaries, Immigration
Most Americans want something to be done about the illegal immigration problem we have in this country. They’ve been expecting the federal government to enforce the immigration laws already on the books. The federal government hasn’t done that, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the governments closest to the people – municipal and state – are looking to take action. This is an entirely proper role for these governments.
Back in 2006, the citizens of Hazleton, Penn., were noticing some troubling signs from an increase in illegal immigration in their community. This former coal-mining town was seeing an uptick in the number of murders, an increase in drug-related crimes and a school district bursting at its seams. In fact the tax-payer-funded English as a Second Language program there went from $500 a year in costs in 2001 to more than $1 million a year today.
The citizen of Hazleton demanded that something be done, and the Illegal Immigration Relief Act was introduced by the mayor and supported by the city by a vote of 4 to 1.
The ordinance was designed to reduce crime, the increasingly overcrowded schools, rising hospital costs, and escalating demand for city services that Hazleton was seeing due to an influx of illegal immigrants. The law would
Deny licenses to businesses that knowingly employ illegal immigrants;
Fine landlords $1,000 for each illegal immigrant discovered renting their properties;
Require city documents to be in English only.
Let’s be clear about what’s going on here. No matter what some groups may be trying to do to muddy the water and portray Hazleton’s law as something playing to an uglier agenda, this law is not about legal immigration. This law is about dealing with the illegal immigration problem. The town’s mayor and city officials made this clear from the beginning, and it seems like they took a common sense approach.
But not to the American Civil Liberties Union which filed a lawsuit to block the law, or a federal judge in Pennsylvania, who overturned the law today.
The Hazleton ruling is an interesting one. The court made two basic conclusions. It found that the ordinance violated the due process clause of the Constitution and that the city lacked the authority to enact the law because Congress had “preempted” the field. Under the Constitution, when federal and state laws conflict, the federal law takes precedence, so long as it was within the power of Congress to enact the federal law in the first place.
So what the court said in this decision is that Congress has passed laws that preempt the field of immigration. As a result, state and local governments cannot enact laws to control illegal immigration or even the effects of illegal immigration.
Think about what this ruling means. Congress has preempted the field, so state and local governments are powerless to act. Then, Congress and the federal authorities do next-to-nothing to prevent illegal immigration, burdening the states and local communities around the country. But those communities cannot act because Congress said they couldn’t. What sense does that make?
None. Congress could not have meant to prevent state and local governments from exercising their traditional police and regulatory powers over businesses and landlords to address the problems caused by uncontrolled illegal immigration.
No doubt, this ruling will be appealed. And it should be.
Our constitutional system allows our citizens to take reasonable steps to protect their communities. This is exactly what Hazleton is trying to do. And it’s what other communities across the country are doing. According to news reports, measures similar to Hazleton’s are being considered elsewhere around the country.
When the federal government is unwilling to enforce immigration laws effectively, then cities need to be able to act, and to take reasonable steps to secure their citizens from the social, financial, and criminal costs of illegal immigration.
Hazleton Immigration Decision
Posted on July 26th, 2007
By Fred in Commentaries, Immigration
Most Americans want something to be done about the illegal immigration problem we have in this country. They’ve been expecting the federal government to enforce the immigration laws already on the books. The federal government hasn’t done that, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the governments closest to the people – municipal and state – are looking to take action. This is an entirely proper role for these governments.
Back in 2006, the citizens of Hazleton, Penn., were noticing some troubling signs from an increase in illegal immigration in their community. This former coal-mining town was seeing an uptick in the number of murders, an increase in drug-related crimes and a school district bursting at its seams. In fact the tax-payer-funded English as a Second Language program there went from $500 a year in costs in 2001 to more than $1 million a year today.
The citizen of Hazleton demanded that something be done, and the Illegal Immigration Relief Act was introduced by the mayor and supported by the city by a vote of 4 to 1.
The ordinance was designed to reduce crime, the increasingly overcrowded schools, rising hospital costs, and escalating demand for city services that Hazleton was seeing due to an influx of illegal immigrants. The law would
Deny licenses to businesses that knowingly employ illegal immigrants;
Fine landlords $1,000 for each illegal immigrant discovered renting their properties;
Require city documents to be in English only.
Let’s be clear about what’s going on here. No matter what some groups may be trying to do to muddy the water and portray Hazleton’s law as something playing to an uglier agenda, this law is not about legal immigration. This law is about dealing with the illegal immigration problem. The town’s mayor and city officials made this clear from the beginning, and it seems like they took a common sense approach.
But not to the American Civil Liberties Union which filed a lawsuit to block the law, or a federal judge in Pennsylvania, who overturned the law today.
The Hazleton ruling is an interesting one. The court made two basic conclusions. It found that the ordinance violated the due process clause of the Constitution and that the city lacked the authority to enact the law because Congress had “preempted” the field. Under the Constitution, when federal and state laws conflict, the federal law takes precedence, so long as it was within the power of Congress to enact the federal law in the first place.
So what the court said in this decision is that Congress has passed laws that preempt the field of immigration. As a result, state and local governments cannot enact laws to control illegal immigration or even the effects of illegal immigration.
Think about what this ruling means. Congress has preempted the field, so state and local governments are powerless to act. Then, Congress and the federal authorities do next-to-nothing to prevent illegal immigration, burdening the states and local communities around the country. But those communities cannot act because Congress said they couldn’t. What sense does that make?
None. Congress could not have meant to prevent state and local governments from exercising their traditional police and regulatory powers over businesses and landlords to address the problems caused by uncontrolled illegal immigration.
No doubt, this ruling will be appealed. And it should be.
Our constitutional system allows our citizens to take reasonable steps to protect their communities. This is exactly what Hazleton is trying to do. And it’s what other communities across the country are doing. According to news reports, measures similar to Hazleton’s are being considered elsewhere around the country.
When the federal government is unwilling to enforce immigration laws effectively, then cities need to be able to act, and to take reasonable steps to secure their citizens from the social, financial, and criminal costs of illegal immigration.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Fred's Getting Closer!
Fred's gettin' serious from http://nighseencreeder.blogspot.com/
Rich Galen - fommer press secretary to Dan Quayle, when the former Vice President was a Congressman and a U.S. Senator; former communications director of the political office of Speaker Newt Gingrich; and former executive director of GOPAC - has signed on as a senior advisor to Fred Thompson's presidential exploratory committee.
"I am excited about working with Fred Thompson and the group which is gathering around him. I am looking forward to helping you peek behind the curtain (when it doesn't compromise any internal activities) to better understand what happens in a big-time Presidential campaign if and when Thompson becomes a candidate.
"Whilst workin' for Fred, Galen promises to continue his popular mullings blog, but not as a campaign tool for Fred Thompson:"I don't believe there is a conflict if I write about the Democrats' campaigns. Nor do I think there will be a problem writing about the 14%-approval-rated Congress as long as everyone understands that in all cases MULLINGS reflects my views alone and should not be considered to be an official (or unofficial) reflection of the Thompson operation."
Rich Galen - fommer press secretary to Dan Quayle, when the former Vice President was a Congressman and a U.S. Senator; former communications director of the political office of Speaker Newt Gingrich; and former executive director of GOPAC - has signed on as a senior advisor to Fred Thompson's presidential exploratory committee.
"I am excited about working with Fred Thompson and the group which is gathering around him. I am looking forward to helping you peek behind the curtain (when it doesn't compromise any internal activities) to better understand what happens in a big-time Presidential campaign if and when Thompson becomes a candidate.
"Whilst workin' for Fred, Galen promises to continue his popular mullings blog, but not as a campaign tool for Fred Thompson:"I don't believe there is a conflict if I write about the Democrats' campaigns. Nor do I think there will be a problem writing about the 14%-approval-rated Congress as long as everyone understands that in all cases MULLINGS reflects my views alone and should not be considered to be an official (or unofficial) reflection of the Thompson operation."
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Fred's Panhead Chopper
1972 photo of potential Republican Presidential candidate Fred Thompson's Old Skool chopper that looks to have been made from a 1963 Harley Davidson Panhead. This bike was built by John Hopkin's, a Nashville bike builder who hails from Lawerenceburg. This photo was taken in 1973 when Sam Goodman, owner of S & G Custom Cycles, did some engine repairs on the bike in Columbia.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Fred on the Founders
From http://www.redstate.com/blogs/tennyson/2007/jun/27/what_fred_said_later_in_nashville_tonight (From his speech last night in Nashville)
To me, this is the key item from Fred's Nashville speech on June 26 and will be the key to his winning the presidency!
(4) The Wisdom of the Founders
We should turn our thoughts and attention back to out two founding documents - the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. In the Declaration we find our common values - a nation under God where our rights our given to us by our Creator. It is not in the powers of men or government to take them away. Governments and men are to uphold and defend these rights - that is why they are instituted. We are to be a free people - holding properties, participating in free commerce, respecting the liberties of others, and fostering a culture of Life. It is in our founding. We are not just given principles by our founders, but a form that tries to ensure that those principles will be made manifest and maintained for generations to come. That is where we must look to the Constitution as a system designed to ensure and guard those liberties for a long, long time. With its clear sets of checks and balances, separation of powers, and delineation of power and responsibility of Federal and State governments, it gives us a rich and true guideline for guarding and nurturing the rights of a free people into a prosperous state.
To me, this is the key item from Fred's Nashville speech on June 26 and will be the key to his winning the presidency!
(4) The Wisdom of the Founders
We should turn our thoughts and attention back to out two founding documents - the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. In the Declaration we find our common values - a nation under God where our rights our given to us by our Creator. It is not in the powers of men or government to take them away. Governments and men are to uphold and defend these rights - that is why they are instituted. We are to be a free people - holding properties, participating in free commerce, respecting the liberties of others, and fostering a culture of Life. It is in our founding. We are not just given principles by our founders, but a form that tries to ensure that those principles will be made manifest and maintained for generations to come. That is where we must look to the Constitution as a system designed to ensure and guard those liberties for a long, long time. With its clear sets of checks and balances, separation of powers, and delineation of power and responsibility of Federal and State governments, it gives us a rich and true guideline for guarding and nurturing the rights of a free people into a prosperous state.
Bikers for Fred on You Tube
Thanks to Kleinhac for posting the "Bikers for Fred video! I don't know how to embed it so I'll just provide a link!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nQoTy2be34
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nQoTy2be34
Monday, June 25, 2007
Welcome to Bikers for Fred
Election time is here again.... damn, ain't it a bit early? OK, so the campaigns have gotten underway like since the day after Bush got sworn in. McCain, Guiliani, Romney, Ron Paul, Hillary, Obama, etc... almost household names already. But do you know anything about them? Do they have a political philosopy of freedom? Ron Paul is one who supports freedom in many respects but is he electable? I think not as a Republican candidate and certainly not as an independent. The rest, just look at their history. You won't like like what you see as it relates to the one thing bikers know more about than most, freedom and individual liberty.
Tennessee bikers and Fred Thompson actually have a relationship that dates back to his first campaign for Senate. Many bikers volunteered for his campaign, rallies and fundraisers were held, his campaign benefitted from the support of Tennessee bikers and he understands our positions on government intrusion into matters of personal liberty.
Do you really want Hillary's "Universal Health Care"? Obama's expansion of entitlement programs or anyone's amnesty for illegal aliens and open borders. Me neither. We need less government that is more responsive to the needs of the citizens. I believe Fred Thompson is the man for the job.
I will post items of interest and link to Fred stories on other sites so that you may get to know him through the eyes of a fellow biker and freedom loving citizen. Thanks for dropping by.
Bikers for Fred!
Tennessee bikers and Fred Thompson actually have a relationship that dates back to his first campaign for Senate. Many bikers volunteered for his campaign, rallies and fundraisers were held, his campaign benefitted from the support of Tennessee bikers and he understands our positions on government intrusion into matters of personal liberty.
Do you really want Hillary's "Universal Health Care"? Obama's expansion of entitlement programs or anyone's amnesty for illegal aliens and open borders. Me neither. We need less government that is more responsive to the needs of the citizens. I believe Fred Thompson is the man for the job.
I will post items of interest and link to Fred stories on other sites so that you may get to know him through the eyes of a fellow biker and freedom loving citizen. Thanks for dropping by.
Bikers for Fred!
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