Write-In Fred.

If Romney drops out of the race, or it becomes painfully obvious that McCain is a lock, it will become even more important to Write-In Fred Dalton Thompson if your state's primary is coming up. Almost half of the country has voted, but there is another half to go. If the Republican Party is leaving its Conservative voice behind, then we must take it back. We must stand tall and reclaim the high ground. We must be steadfast in the face of a party moving to the left and a Democratic Party moving towards socialism. If ever there was a time for a Conservative Revolution, it is now, before its too late.

Sign the pledge at WriteInFRED.com.


UPDATE: Romney is out. DON'T GIVE UP. DON'T STAY HOME. If your primary is coming up, Write-In Fred for President. When November rolls around, even if you can't/won't vote for McCain, make sure you vote for true conservatives running for other offices.

The power of half.

Today, virtually half of the nation has the chance to do something for the country. Half of our country is called on to be patriots. Half of our citizens have the option of sacrificing a brief moment of their time and perform their civic duty for the greater good. Its Super Tuesday, and if you are in one of 24 states, today it is your right, duty, and it should be your honor to vote (24 states have primaries today with 43 primaries in total - 21 republican primaries and 22 democratic primaries).

Those who are so fortunate will be a part of something great. For today its not every vote that counts, its every vote in a little less than half of the country that matters. And that half will likely decide who our presidential candidates will be. It may not be over after tonight, but it will be a lot closer. Half of the populous gets to be heard while only a few already have been. The rest of us may not even matter. I won't. In North Carolina our primary isn't until May 6th... by then this contest will likely have come to a close. I hope not, but history is not in my favor.

And those in that half that care about our country and the purpose of its founding... those that value smaller government, lower taxes, personal responsibility and free will... those that think we are in a monumental fight against Islamic extremism and terrorists who seek to destroy our next breath... those of you who want to protect our borders, our sovereignty, and our honor.... I beg of you to vote for a true Conservative in this race. We have to take our country back before we lose ourselves to socialism and global greed. We have to take our nation back before our sovereign rights and Constitutional guarantees are gone forever.

I can't tell you who to vote for, but if you agree with the above than I can tell you who doesn't deserve your vote. John McCain certainly does not. Mike Huckabee does not. Ron Paul does not. Obviously Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama do not.

That leaves only two choices:

1. Vote against John McCain and cast your ballot for Mitt Romney
   
   
2. Write-in Fred Thompson and send a message to the party and the American people that we want to return to our Federalist foundation and take our country back.

Ideally, I'd like to vote the later, but fearing a John McCain Republican nominee as much as any Conservative should.... if I were to vote I would probably vote Romney. Romney is the closest thing to a Conservative left in the race. He has the business and economic credentials to set our fiscal policy on the right track and he's also closer to being the citizen servant that our founders envisioned running for office. He's not a career politician who has spent decades attacking conservative ideals and he's not beholden to special interests or politicians across the aisle.

He's no Fred Thompson... but he's no John McCain either. And for that reason alone, he is worthy of your vote.

The Results Are In: The GOP Race is Wide-Open

Fred Thompson's Campaign Manager, Bill Lacy, released this statement following the Michigan Primary. I'm glad he has the guts to articulate what many conservatives are feeling. We need to make the differences clear, if you pay attention only one man in this race is consistent with their ideals. Don't we need someone like that in Washington?

Bill Lacy's Statement:

Tonight’s results in Michigan make two things clear: First, the Republican campaign for President remains wide-open. Our party faithful are still looking for someone who meets all the qualifications they seek: A true consistent conservative with the experience to keep the country safe. Second, Mike Huckabee’s campaign to be John McCain’s Vice President has hit a snag. He has gone from the mid-thirties in Iowa to 11% in New Hampshire and now about 15% in Michigan.

On higher taxes and looser immigration, Huckabee has been done his best these past few weeks to mimic McCain. But this is nothing new. In fact, while John McCain was leading the Senate charge to grant amnesty for illegal immigrants, Mike Huckabee was one of the loudest cheerleaders. And at the same time McCain was voting against the Bush tax cuts, Huckabee was in Arkansas increasing taxes some 21 times.

As for Mitt Romney, he has been all over the map on virtually every issue important to conservative voters.

As the contest moves to South Carolina, look for Romney, McCain and Huckabee to face serious questions about their commitment to consistent conservative principles. Their records are in stark contrast to Fred Thompson, who remains the one true steadfast conservative in this race.

The bottom line is that tonight is a whole new ball game and tomorrow morning begins a brand new campaign where Republicans are looking for the clear conservative choice.

New Hampshire

Sports fans across the country stayed up to watch the LSU Tigers deny the Ohio State Buckeyes the national title (OSU also made it to the Championship game last year only to lose to Florida). While a large number of us were debating the BCS system and LSU's two losses this season... the political machine in New Hampshire was entering its fourth quarter. At midnight the first votes were cast, and this very important and historic primary officially began.

There are many assumptions of how today is going to turn out, but a couple things seem clear... Obama is likely to increase his shot at the Democratic nomination, while the Republican field continues to be wide open (contrary to media portrayals).

This whole dance is interesting if a bit disturbing.

Hillary teared up yesterday as she expressed her "heartfelt" desire to protect the country with her ideas of socialism. We always knew when Bill was being fake, he'd bite that bottom lip... but Hillary is a bit more varied. Sometimes she'll act like its her lone fight against the evil Republicans, sometimes she'll change her accent to placate an audience, and now she'll feign tears to get the vote. If the nomination doesn't work out at least we know she'll fit right in with her actor friends in Hollywood.

Watching Hillary doesn't stop being amusing there. She apparently lost her mantle as the heir-apparent, at least with the media who have been comparing Barack Obama with John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (insert audio track: I knew Jack Kennedy, Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine, You Sir are no Jack Kennedy) The Clinton Campaign hasn't taken that lightly and has began attacking against the crowning of OBama by the media and these larger than life comparisons.

Hillary watching isn't the only thing that is a bit interesting and unsettling as of late. Just consider the coverage of the GOP field. The media (Fox News included) seem to act like the race is almost over yet by every poll the only thing certain is that the field is wide open. Fred Thompson had a better showing than anticipated in Iowa yet he is completely dismissed. He also had delegates in Wyoming which some of the "front runners" did not... but where is the coverage of that? Huckabee is still high in almost every poll, yet his winning of the Iowa Caucus is treated as more of a fluke than a victory. Romney is fighting for his life... the media seem to get this right... but considering how no one has swooped in to take clear front-runner status... I don't believe his fight is over. McCain was all but counted out a few months back and now the media is trying to give the crown back to him. And Giuliani, virtually invisible as of late, is promising a strong showing in Florida and other Super-Tuesday states. Ladies and Gentlemen, the field is WIDE OPEN, don't let the media dictate otherwise. Polls, pundants, and the resulting groupthink should not dictate who the GOP nominee is. Policies, character and results should.

Ahhh... it should be an interesting day... this thing is only just beginning.

Thoughts on the Top 5

I've been struggling as of late with just who to support. It is a blessing to have such strong Republican prospects for the nomination... but with such an important election ahead (aren't they all), it is imperative that the decision of who to support isn't taken lightly. If the choice of the other side it Hillary or Obama, I will certainly vote for the Republican nominee, even if I have to hold my nose doing so. But the hope is that I don't have to hold my nose to do it... I'd like to hold my head up high and vote for someone whom I truly believe in. Thus, the decision of whom to support is still largely undecided... and time is running out.

Every time I lean towards Fred Thompson, I come up wanting more. I really, really like Thompson's message and thoughtfulness. We need someone who thinks and isn't just offering humorous quips or vicious one-liners. We need to get away from this entitlement society and strong, overbearing government. Our national government should protect our lives and liberty, but do little else. As much as Fred fits that bill, media reports keep pushing the thought the people are less than inspired after hearing Senator Thompson speak. Fred is right in all that he says... this is a crucial point in our history. In order to overcome this desperate hour, we need someone who is going to inspire us to continued greatness. That is where I fear Thompson falls short.

The obvious choice to fill the inspiration void should be Governor Huckabee. Every time I hear Huckabee I become a little more invigorated and energized. I like how the Governor explains most things and we agree on quite a bit. But every once in a while there is a glimpse of a man who might be disconnected from conservatism. Increased government regulation that prohibits customer choice of mortgage products is not conservative. And let's not even discuss the Governor's somewhat mythical ideas on illegal immigration... he doesn't seem to walk a fine line, but rather jump from one side to the other. That's fine... these are tough issues that require thought and deliberation... but they are also very important issues and I need to know we have some agreement, at least in principal. I think I know where Governor Huckabee is coming from when we disagree.

For me, after these two, there is everyone else. Giulini, McCain, Romney.

I was surprised to see Pat Robertson endorse Giuliani yesterday. I like the Mayor... but on social issues, gun rights, immigration, and so much else... we just don't see eye to eye, and that sentiment is certainly shared by many Conservatives and Christians alike. But does a Pat Robertson endorsement in 2007 really mean that much? Like the late Reverend Falwell, Pat Robertson isn't always treated fairly or honestly by the mainstream media, nor is he the Protestant version of the Pope as some leftists would have you believe. And just because Robertson picks the Mayor doesn't mean all of the other candidates' religious support will fade away. But if security and a nation in crisis is really the focus of the electorate, I wonder if Rudy isn't an appropriate choice?

John McCain is a hero. John McCain is a patriot. John McCain is someone who I would love to see as Vice President or more appropriately Secretary of Defense or State. But as much as I respect him, I don't want him to be President. He has certainly had his trouble with Conservatives and Christians in the past, and still seems to think Conservative Christians are just some far-right group whose support he begrudgingly needs comparable to MoveOn.org for the left. As far as I'm concerned, that's only a few steps away from Rosie O'Donnell comparing Christians to terrorists... and its miles away from the truth. Yes you need the Conservative Christian support to wage a successful Republican bid for the Presidency... but these are the same voices who this country was founded on... I don't think having their support is a necessary evil... its an honor.

Then there's Romney. I was absolutely enraged when the man who campaigned in Massachusetts by distancing himself from Republicans and Reagan decided to invoke his name and legacy so many times during last month's debate. While far from John Kerry, the Bush 2004 campaign showed how to successfully run against a flip-flopper... do we really need to hand the Democrats the winning strategy in 2008?