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Videos (January 2012) « Newt 2012
Newt 2012
"A Special Message From Fred Thompson"
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5:20 web video from Jan. 24, 2012.
Fred Thompson: Hello I'm
Fred Thompson
I am one of the countless number of
Americans who know firsthand that, in this country, a person may be
born into modest circumstances, but that he comes into the world
blessed in ways that have been unimaginable to the vast majority of
people who have ever lived. We are born with the birthright of freedom
and opportunity -- free to make our own choices about the important
things in life and the opportunity to fulfill our God-given potential.
The
greatest fear that I have for my country is that our government now has
us on a different path. Instead of freedom and opportunity, it is one
of debt, dependence division and decline -- a path that will weaken our
country and sap the vitality of the American people.
We have
moved from an era of balanced budgets, to a time of debt as large as
our entire economy and of lost credit ratings. In 2001, when I was
chairman of the Senate Government Affairs Committee, I released a
report "Government On the Brink," in which I laid out the extent to
which our government was bloated, growing, wasteful, subject to massive
fraud, and basically out of control. A decade later, it is worse.
Today, federal bureaucrats think they can tell a family where they can
build their home and a business where it can locate.
I believe
that how one views the condition and trajectory of our country
determines how one views the strengths of our presidential candidates.
For me, I believe that we are at a tipping point, one from which we may
not return.
To avoid these disastrous consequences, our
country needs leadership that is fearless and confident -- a candidate
who can give voice to the concerns and frustrations of the American
people ...someone who understands -- and will never apologize for
American Exceptionalism.
We don't need to just manage the way
Washington works. We need to fundamentally change Washington. It would
be a major setback for our party and our country if we elect a
president who is not up to that challenge. We need someone who has the
courage and ability to communicate the truth to the American people.
Someone who will explain the hard choices that we must make if we are
to give our children and grandchildren the same opportunities our
forefathers bestowed on us and avoid the fate that other great nations
have suffered throughout history.
I believe that person is
Newt Gingrich. And that is why I strongly support him. I came to
Washington in 1995, in part as a result of the political revolution
that Newt conceived and led. Over the next few years we were able to
balance the budget, pass welfare reform, and begin to rebuild a
weakened military. So we know it can be done.
Unfortunately,
some on our side lost their way, became divided, and fell into
recriminations and finger pointing. Sometimes, success is a difficult
thing to handle. I believe that most of us have learned from our
mistakes and are now focused on the future and the dangers and
opportunities that lie ahead for our country.
President
Obama's strategy is simple...avoid the hard realities his failed
policies have created over the past three years, divide the country,
pander to and organize his various constituencies, and eek out another
victory. I believe he fails to see what so much of the political
establishment and the Washington insiders on both sides of the aisle
fail to see -- that these past few years have changed our people and
our country.
People in America don't want to be told what to
do, and they certainly can't be told what to think. They see for
themselves what is happening in Europe with Greece, Spain and the lot,
do not want it happening on our shores and are spontaneously organizing
in towns all across America. They realize that on our present course we
may not recognize our country in a few years. They are waiting to be
inspired and energized to a cause that will conserve those first
principles that made us the envy of the world.
This cause
cannot be led by glossy flip charts, processing data, or reams of
talking points poll-tested by a roomful of consultants. It must be led
by someone who can forcefully make our basic case for the economy ...
for example ... how lower taxes benefit all Americans, and can raise
revenue for the legitimate and limited functions of the federal
government. Someone who is able to articulate the message of growth,
free enterprise and freedom. Someone who knows that bold ideas have
preceded every major achievement of mankind -- including the United
States of America.
I believe that Newt Gingrich is that
person. If you agree, please join me and Newt in this effort to renew
America's
Exceptionalism. Go to Newt.org and show your support.
Thank you.
Notes: