PRESS RELEASE from Newt 2012
January 24, 2012
New Video:
Senator Fred Thompson Endorses Newt Gingrich
McLean, VA – Fred Thompson
announced his endorsement
of Newt Gingrich on Fox News’ Hannity last night, and this morning
released a 5 minute video outlining why he believes Newt Gingrich can
best articulate and defend American Exceptionalism against President
Obama and the forces of the Washington Establishment.
“We don’t need to just manage the way Washington works,” Thompson says
in the video, “We need to fundamentally change Washington…We need
someone who has the courage and ability to communicate the truth to the
American people…I believe that person is Newt Gingrich. And that is why
I strongly support him.”
Newt Gingrich, campaigning in Sarasota, FL this morning, reacted to the
endorsement. “It is an honor to receive the support of such a powerful
voice for limited, constitutional government and economic
freedom.”
The video can be seen
here.
Text of video
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. Please join me
and Newt in this effort to renew America’s Exceptionalism. Go to
Newt.org and show your support.
Thank you.
###
Contact:
R.C. Hammond
Press Secretary