Ray Fowler .org

I have never given money to a political candidate before. I am usually just not that interested, plus I am careful in how I spend my money. But I have donated to Fred Thompson’s campaign several times this fall. Why? Because I have been impressed with Thompson as a candidate ever since his interview with Chris Wallace back in March. I like his views, I like his policies, and I like his approach. And I am frustrated that he is not getting as much attention as I think he deserves.

Although there are a number of strong contenders for the GOP nomination (for which I am glad), I am surprised that more Republicans have not rallied around Thompson as a candidate. Thompson has been a consistent conservative throughout his entire career. He is strong on national defense, favors smaller federal government, and is conservative on social issues such as abortion and the second amendment. He is one of the few candidates who has been bold enough to come right out and say that Roe vs. Wade is bad law and should be overturned.

Thompson was criticized for entering the political race so late, but one of the reasons he waited until September was because he spent the summer carefully putting his policies together. Thompson has made available clearly articulated and concise position statements on every major issue, including the following:

Federal Government Issues:

• National Security
• Government Effectiveness
• Appointing Judges Faithful to our Consitution
• Energy Security

Fiscal Issues:

• Federal Budget and Spending
• Tax Reform

Social Issues:

• Healthcare
• Building Strong Families
• Immigration
• Education
• Second Amendment

You can read Thompson’s position on each of these issues by going to Fred On the Issues and clicking on each one. (It will take you all of ten minutes.) You may or may not agree with his positions, but at least you can read them for yourself.

Bob Krumm also has several good (and fair) articles detailing Fred’s positions and comparing them with the other Republican candidates:

• It Takes All Kinds
• The Analytical Case for Fred

I would not presume to tell you for whom you should vote for president. Instead, I would encourage you to study the candidates and their policies to see how well they line up with your own views on different issues. Thompson seems to line up best with my views, but if he does not line up with yours, then you shouldn’t vote for him. Study the issues and vote for the candidate who you believe will best lead our country as president. A great tool to help you get started with this is the MPR Select a Candidate Quiz.

I live in Massachusetts, and even though our primary is not until February 5, I am well aware that eight states will already have held their primaries by that time. Some candidates may even be eliminated before I get the chance to vote. That is one of the reasons why I have donated money to the Thompson campaign now. I am still leaning towards him as the best candidate and, as things stand right now, I would like the opportunity to vote for him come February.

Related posts:

• A Fred Thompson Irony
• Thompson Bloggers Contacted By Romney Campaign
• Mike Huckabee’s Sunday Sermon at Prestonwood
• The Cluster Approach to the GOP Nomination
• The MPR Select a Candidate Quiz
• Memo to Evangelical Leaders on Romney
• Rasmussen Reports Daily Presidential Tracking Poll
• Ravi Zacharias on Electing the Next President
• Should Christians Call Mormonism a Cult?
• Rudy, John, Mitt . . . and Fred?