According to a Fox News story, Fred (The Big Dipper) Thompson wowed the Young Republicans:
Not yet a 2008 candidate, Fred Thompson energized young Republicans with a speech Saturday that was heavy on rhetoric and short on policy pronouncements. He branded Democrats as “the party of despair.”
Chants of “Fred” and “Run, Fred, Run,” greeted the actor and former GOP senator from Tennessee from many among the 350 people at the Young Republicans National Convention. The crowd interrupted his nine-minute speech with wild applause and mobbed him when he left.
At least some of the Fred Heads attending the conference were aware of the Los Angeles Times article:
His supporters did not seem bothered, citing policy stands by some of the leading GOP presidential contenders, including Romney, ex-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Sen. John McCain.
“Whatever choice do we have? Mitt Romney has been on both sides of the issue,” said Paul Boyd, 26, of Memphis, Tenn. “Rudy Giuliani is 100 percent pro-choice. John McCain, at least for the first four years of the Bush term, was against whatever the president was for. Everybody has their flaws.”
That same Fox News story also includes a note on Mitt Romney, who followed in The Big Dipper’s wake at the Young Republicans conference:
Hours later, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney also addressed the crowd and spoke about foreign policy, Iraq, the economy, health care and other issues. Although he didn’t have as much trouble working his way out of the room, the substance of his remarks impressed some undecided voters.
“He touched on a lot of different issues — the terrorists, immigration, families,” said Brianne Goodwin, 24, of Chicago, who is undecided but leaning toward Romney. “Fred Thompson, he didn’t really provide strong material.”
If The Big Dipper announces later this month, he better hit the ground wearing running shoes, toting a portfolio of policy positions.
Technorati tags: Election 2008, Fred Thompson, Mitt Romney, Politics.
