Broder Swerves Into the Truth
David Broder often sounds like the liberal that he is. Then there’s times like this where he stumbles into the truth:
Former senator Fred Thompson has begun his unannounced quest for the Republican presidential nomination by telling audiences in New Hampshire that Washington is badly out of touch with the country.
As a senior campaign adviser put it to The Post’s Michael Shear, Thompson believes that “the politicians have lost their connection with what people really want and what they really expect.”
Few if any of the other 17 men and one woman vying for the presidency would be bold enough to challenge Thompson’s claim. The belief that official Washington is deaf to the people’s wishes is a staple of political rhetoric for both Republicans and Democrats, even those, including Thompson, who have operated inside the Beltway for decades.
Fred Thompson was one of the leading advocates for defeating the immigration bill. He knew that politicians weren’t paying attention to activists who knew what they were talking about. He noticed how politicians seemed taken aback by uppity activists. He noticed Lindsey Graham saying this:
“There’s racism in this debate,” Mr. Graham said. “Nobody likes to talk about it, but a very small percentage of people involved in this debate really have racial and bigoted remarks. The tone that we create around these debates, whether it be rhetoric in a union hall or rhetoric on talk radio, it can take people who are on the fence and push them over emotionally.”
Fred Thompson, like many of his colleagues who are seeking the GOP presidential nomination, have noticed how out of touch people in Washington have become. When politicians like Trent Lott whine about how bloggers take him to task about his reckless spending habits, it shows an uptick in politicians’ arrogance. When Dianne Feinstein and Dick Durbin talk about bringing the Fairness Doctrine back, it’s a sign that they don’t like the fact that Joe and Jane Citizen can get their hands on information that they used to be able to bury.
As refreshing as Sen. Thompson’s views on the issues have been, his running against Washington’s arrogance has been my favorite part of his campaign.
Keep it up, Fred. We’ve got your back.
Technorati Tags: Fred Thompson, David Broder, Elitism, Dick Durbin, Dianne Feinstein, Lindsey Graham, Trent Lott, Election 2008
Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog
July 5th, 2007 at 8:53 am
[...] Cross-posted at California Conservative Categories: First Amendment, Senate, Beltway Media, Immigration, Talk Radio, Racism, Censorship, Election 2008, Fred Thompson, Activism | [...]
July 5th, 2007 at 9:11 am
It’s funny how people start trotting out the old ‘Washington is out of touch with the rest of the country’ phrase whenever election time rolls around, or thier party is now in the minority. Seems like I’ve been hearing that particular song and dance for the last 30 years (i.e. since before I was old enough to vote). He was a senator from ‘94 til ‘03, during an overwhelming Republican majority. Perhaps he could detail how he substantively changed attitudes about that culture of arrogance and disconnection with the average citizen. If admits he was unable to because it was so difficult to fight the prevailing attitudes, how, exactly, is he going to counter this? You’ll excuse me, but I’ve heard this same complaint before only to have nothing done about it once the persons saying it get elected.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
To finish your last paragraph, Gary: As long as you do in the presidency what you say during the campaign. As soon as you veer off the verbal path you’ve established, we’ll be on you like flies on a manure pile. We’re tired of Washington election lies, and won’t put up with it any more.
If you’re the “straight shooter” you claim to be, you’ll have all the support you need. If you’re just another election year liar we’ll have your back, not cover it. Trust me, the money’s not worth the wrath.
July 5th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
There is so much anger at the arrogant stupidity and demonstrated incompetance of just about every one in WASHDC that it’s gonna take a lot to calm us down. Just one new leader ain’t gonna do it. We need a complete replacement of the federal government including the entire bureaucracy…maybe especially the bureaucracy where, for sure, a lot of incompetance resides. Newt Gingrich has been talking about this. But I think time is running out. We are close to a majority being ready to vote themselves someone else’s treasure and the electorate, in its totality, is not informed as our republic demands.
July 7th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Strange how, if it’s conservatives blasting the concept of amnesty (and not immigration) it’s racism, but when Brother Jesse or Brother Al or any of a myriad of others in the race-baiting-for-profit game make out-and-out racist remarks (remember the word “Hymie”, Jesse?) there is no racism involved.
They can’t spell “hypocrite” because they’re too busy making sure they have enough victims to support them in their racist endeavors.
And the MSM covers for them. I was taught that was lying by omission.