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Straw Poll: Conservatives Pick Fred Thompson, Warn Of Giuliani Exodus

Survey Of 91,000 Grassroots Conservatives Gives Fred Thompson Clear Lead, Warns Of Possible Exodus If Giuliani Wins For Immediate Release. Grassfire.org Maxwell, IA . A nationwide Straw Poll of grassroots conservatives conducted by Grassfire.org has given Fred Thompson a nearly two-to-one lead over the closest challenger. When asked whom they would vote for if the Republican primary were held today, 26% preferred Fred Thompson followed by Mitt Romney (16%), Newt Gingrich (14%), Rudy Giuliani (13%), John McCain (8%) and Tom ...

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June 12, 2007 02:39 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
February 13, 2007

Sounds like a balanced result.  I can testify to the fact that a number of conservatives are becoming disenchanted with the Republican Party and will vote 3rd party or not at all.

In my own case I dropped my Republican Party affiliation on the heals of the Martinez (FL) cooking up an amnesty with Uncle Teddy.  I then registered as an independent.   I probably had a 98% Republican voting record when considering all offices.  The reality though is I didn't leave the Republican Party it left me. 

I will not vote for the lesser of two evils again.  So, if Giuliani is the Republican Candidate I am certain that I will vote for the Constitution Party candidate or write in one. 

Actually, I may vote for the Constitution Party candidate regardless of who the Republicans run because I like their platform and am sick of Corpublicanism.

Constitutionally inclined,

SovereignMan

June 12, 2007 03:58 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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February 6, 2007
I have to agree with results.I believe the reason is because the way the questions were put to the people.Steve Elliot,thanks to you and your staff for all you do!!


"The only thing necesary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"Edmond Burke.
June 12, 2007 04:55 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
February 15, 2007

Fred Thompson is a member of the Council of Foreign Relations and I will put the word out to everyone not to vote for him.  We don't need anymore of that councils input into our government!  Why do you think we are in the mess we are in?  Do you think that was an accident?  Wake up people!  I don't want to forget to mention the Trilateral Commission as well!  Don't believe me?  Look them up!  Do the research on what their mission is!!! Don't be lead down that road again!  You don't need the lesser of two evils!

Vote for Tom Tancredo and put someone in that will do the right thing!

June 12, 2007 08:24 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
January 19, 2007

Lady Jane, I appreciate your sentiments. However, I would prefer to hear your reflections on the poll itself. What can we learn about where grassroots conservatives are right now from this Straw Poll?

I am fascinated that this poll shows that conservatives prefer Thompson who is not yet a candidate over all the others, yet expect Giuliani to win the nomination. Thus, at this point grassroots conservatives believe their own preferences are not in line with the preferences of the general Republican population. So, are grasroots conservatives AHEAD of fellow Republicans or OUT OF STEP with fellow Republicans?

And how come a non-candidate is the clear winner? 




Steve Elliott, President, Grassfire.org My Blog - ITunes Podcast - RSS Feed
June 13, 2007 07:11 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
June 13, 2007

My reasons don,t matter , but for my life time I have never voted  ,dem. or rep. . I have always voted for the lessor of the 2 evils .  Now being faced with a very critical time in our American history , I believe we have only 1 real choice as to whom to vote for as our president , ( since every one I,ve seen running presently is an idiot ) & that choice for me is Mr. Steve Elliott ! He,s been there for us all through any major problems , & I believe he,ll  be there for us as president  of the United STates of America ! Thank you for letting me air my opinion !

 




June 13, 2007 05:01 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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Comment updated June 13, 2007 05:03 PM
Fair enough Steve.  I will give you my opinion of the straw poll.  People in general don't know enough about any one of the candidates.  People need to really dig into the backgrounds of each and every one of the candidates and find out if they clearly stand for America and the Constitution.  I think people will stand back from both the Republican and Democrat parties.  The reason for this would be what has happened in this country over the last decades.  My feelings about the preference for Fred Thompson is that he is famous and has been in every one's living-room for quite awhile.  That is the way they see him.  In all reality they don't know enough about the real man to vote for him.  What they see on the screen isn't what the man is about in his day to day life.  People need a reality check to understand that.  He may well be the man on the screen to a certain degree, but what is the real  man about?  If they would take the time to do the research this poll may very well have another end result.  It is truly time for people to do their homework.  We have one chance to get this right, and I hope people will understand that the wrong choice could lead to the destruction of the United States of America.  No poll will help at that point. 
My opinion of the grass-root Republicans is that they are way ahead of the so called fellow Republicans.  The grass-root Republicans are talking it over and doing the research.  The others might be saying that they are Republicans and will not step outside of their party.  They will probably continue to vote a Republican ticket.  The grass-root conservatives are going to vote for the best man.  I am going to include many Democrats in this conservative group as well.  The Democratic party no longer stands for them.  When you get that many unhappy people then that's when a new party may come into play. 
Just today it was reported by NewMax.com that Cheney's  daughter Elizabeth Cheney has joined Fred Thompson's exploratory presidential campaign committee.  Also that Mark Esper, national security adviser to former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist.  Then we have Joel Shin a top policy staffer for the Bush-Cheney 2000 presidential campaign.  These people are all considered hawks.   Now do we really need another ( Bush/Cheney) type president in the White House?  That is the only way I can look at him if these people are the ones working on his team. 
June 13, 2007 05:27 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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February 14, 2007
Comment updated June 13, 2007 05:31 PM

Steve, I think the poll was great!  It covered all the scenarios.  I don't agree that Rudy will win the nomination though.  As far as being an unknown and "only an actor" goes, the people of the state of Tennessee know Fred and many more do too.  He is not an unknown.  We loved him as our Senator and have wanted him to run for President for many years.  One of his greatest advantages is that he is NOT a career politician but he brings a wealth of experience and good old fashioned common sense. 

For what it's worth, I expect Fred to pass Rudy after he makes his formal announcement.  Maybe I'm just being optimistic but that's what I see happening.  I was not one of the voters that think Rudy will win the nomination.  I think it will be Fred all the way.  Once he announces, people will really start to pay attention to who he is and what he has to say.  I've been talking to a lot of moderate and conservative Democrats that also plan to vote for Fred.  I believe that not only will he have the support of the grassroots conservative voters, he will also draw in the moderate Republicans that are too conservative for Rudy.  I've been browsing the blogosphere and a lot of people are holding out on their support until he formally announces.  You will see an explosion of support then. Wink   

 




"Never argue with an idiot; they'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience." ~ anonymous ~
June 13, 2007 08:54 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
February 17, 2007

Lines are now being drawn and the people will have to take stands on the issues facing this nation. One will either be on the side of the Bush Administration and all of its policies or one will not. Those who oppose could find themselves labeled as enemies of the Republic that is not doing or supporting what is best for the United States. This President is not about to have all that he has strived for be undone by a future Administration so he could use the recent executive/signing order that would allow him to stay in office in the case of a national crisis, namely, that all the terroist groups have not been eliminated.

It seems more and more likely that the more this Administration fails to listen to the voices of We The People the more they are pushing us toward Revolution and Civil War. Remember our Revolution began when the British Parliment failed to listen to the people of the colonies so another Revolution may be brewing because of a failure to listen. To fight this Administration and for the good of the country we love sacrifices will have to be made for there will always those who will oppose you for not following the President's wishes and call you the true traitors of America.

Pray that this Administration will hear the voices of the people, the citizens of America.

The President may truly believe that letting all these illegals stay is good for the country. Maybe he should tell that to the families who have been killed by these illegals that the loss of their loved ones was good for the country.

June 13, 2007 08:57 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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February 17, 2007
In truth Tom Trancredo seems to be the best option for the GOP and keeping America from falling into the hands of the liberal Democrats.
June 14, 2007 07:33 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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January 19, 2007

Lady Jane, thanks for your thoughts. It will be interestting to see what happens when (not If) Fred Thompson enters the race. Like Melinda suggests, I think it is likely that he will quickly vault to front runner. Here's why.

Right now, especially with the President betraying us on immigration, we desperately need a leader. Romney has not filled that role -- he's running for president first and foremost. Giuliani has the best opportunity to do that but I think he's too far afield from the base on some key issues especially abortion. Thompson could quickly become the leader. A friend suggested to me that the day Thompson enters the race is the day the amnesty bill dies. His thinking was that Thompson will give a national voice and national credibility to our position.

Leadership is an interesting thing. It's all about the intangibles. Consider this. Close your eyes and picture Romney in a room with Bush. ARe they equals? How about Brownback and Bush? Not quite. Giuliani fills the leadership void but has some tough issues baggage.

The survey was informative for me. It showed me that grassroots conservatives are leery of the current crop and eager to give Fred a chance. It also showed that while most would still support Giuliani, one-in-four would not vote for him in a general election.

My prediction: Thompson enters, moves to the front, then drops some as the campaign heats up.

 




Steve Elliott, President, Grassfire.org My Blog - ITunes Podcast - RSS Feed
June 14, 2007 01:56 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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March 30, 2007
can someone out there tell me what good it does to vote for a third party candidate? why not just vote "lib" and be done? that's where the vote goes! as far as NOT voting, i don't want uninformed people voting anyway! but i don't want to hear you complaining after the election, no matter who wins! you don't want to vote for the lesser of two evils? that's the only choice we've got here, folks! but hope springs eternal! i'm hoping Fred is the real thing, but will continue to listen and learn more about him. all i know is that ANY Republican is better than a Socialist! (except maybe McCain) yesssss, i'm verrrrry disappointed in the President too. i support the war on the Islamo-Nazis, but he's lost me on this amnesty thing! we're in a war on two fronts, either of which could bring down this democracy. it scares me to death! what will our coountry be like in 10 years? we have to fight both of them at the same time. i hope you will all vote for the candidate you think will get us through these perilous times. listen CAREFULLY! be vigilant! loved the poll and yep, we're waaaaaay ahead of the rest! we pay attention and care about our country.
June 15, 2007 04:57 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
February 2, 2007
Steve,You are likely right,but we shall see.I agree with Lady Jane,Iam watching them all.I wont vote for any Republician Top-Tier,nor will I vote for a liberal,which all of them are.Yes,if I recall right,Bush is also supporting Fred,where he was supporting Romney.I dont watch Freds show,but he is an actor.Right now,Im still supporting Tom,and he has my vote also.To each their own!
June 15, 2007 01:44 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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June 13, 2007

I,m very afraid of what might happen to this country , should Mr. ( our supposed president ) Bush has his way with the amnesty bill ! But , let,s not forget that he has us in a war that we can,t possibly win in 2 different countries ! Have we forgotten Viet Nam ?? We have have inocent men & women , in these countries , of whom are more afraid of millitary punishment , for doing something  ( in the eyes of the armed services ) wrong , & being courtmartialed . The results of which may be devistating to thier lives , than they are of being shot ! Some people may say that those who have been punished , are guilty ! I say Bull , THE United States Government , brought german criminals to the country to work for us after the 2nd world war . Let,s not forget these brave men & women !! LET,SD get this man ( g. bush ) out of here , & anyone connected to him in ANY manner !

 Thank you , J D  B !




June 15, 2007 01:53 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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February 15, 2007
Comment updated June 15, 2007 02:10 PM

I agree with you Steve when it comes to Fred Thompson going to the top, then taking a fall.  We will see what happens.  In the mean time how about an article on his globalist attitude?  SPP, NAFTA, NAU anyone?  What would be the odds?   BEWARE!

 Fred Thompson:

http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55776

 

 

 

June 16, 2007 04:06 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
March 24, 2007
I am a Grassfire activist whose primary reason for involvement with the movement is to join with other Americans to stop illegal immigration, and prevent amnesty for those already here. Illegal Immigration is a major concern for me, but I have yet to hear of a Presidential contender for 08 from either party with whom I don't differ 180 degrees on an issue that I feel strongly about. Therefore, at this time I am undecided who I will vote for in the General election for President of the United States in 08. I do not consider myself a conservative or a liberal, and for those who think that makes me a moderate, guess again. My political views span the political spectrum from one end to the other. I don't understand why a person is expected to be entrenched by partisan dogma because they support Republicans on one issue, as I do (although my support isn't limited to one topic,) when I am 180 degree at odds with both parties on issues of grave importance to me. Why can't we have one single human being who wants to see the Constitution of the United States of America interpreted literally, and applied equally to EVERY American citizen? If this describes you, by all means step forward and run for office on 08. It would be nice to see everyone protected equally under the Constitution, as it has never before happened in the history of this nation.


Mark Lance Earhart, Ringgold GA
June 16, 2007 01:14 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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February 15, 2007

AtlantaBurning,  I think you should check into Ron Paul or Tom Tancredo.  Check them out and see if you fit into their agenda.  Here is Tom Tancredo's address.  I don't have Ron Paul's but I would think all you would have to do is put his name into the search engine and information would come up for you.  I hope you find someone that you can feel comfortable voting for. 

 

http://www.teamtancredo.com/

June 16, 2007 03:51 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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June 13, 2007
I really would like for someone to inform me as to wether or not , there is going to be anyone running for president  , that will not spit in the American publics faces , after they are elected ? I have been voting for 40 yrs. , & have yet to find a President that has ignored popular wish for the well being of the people ! There are so many uninformed people in the United States that are going to vote for officials , merely because they are famous or , their friends like them , that it makes me sick ! I believe complaceancy has taken over the majority of our populous ! I have tried to read up on the candidates , but theres not much out there ! I, really afraid i,m going to draw straws & PRAY that I haven,t done the wrong for our people !! Anyone who thinks they can help me decide correctly , I sure need help !   


June 17, 2007 08:08 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
April 25, 2007
Steve Elliott (Grassfire) said: Lady Jane, I appreciate your sentiments. However, I would prefer to hear your reflections on the poll itself. What can we learn about where grassroots conservatives are right now from this Straw Poll? I am fascinated that this poll shows that conservatives prefer Thompson who is not yet a candidate over all the others, yet expect Giuliani to win the nomination. Thus, at this point grassroots conservatives believe their own preferences are not in line with the preferences of the general Republican population. So, are grasroots conservatives AHEAD of fellow Republicans or OUT OF STEP with fellow Republicans? And how come a non-candidate is the clear winner? 

On the poll itself..

 

It is not strange to see Fred Thompson who has fictional television driven Name Recognition and a very right down the party line conservative voting record leading in a poll of fire society members.  Even with the recent disclosures of CFR membership which all the major candidates seem to have.

The majority of members who contribute here post all too often their feelings of disenfranchisement and powerlessness.

 

It would be shocking if Rudy did any better than lessor of two evils in this crowd.  I venture to say that given week of free promo posts on the site almost anyone demonstrably conservative not provably a Satanist or Muslim could do as well against most of the front running republicans who have the media hype to be considered "first tier".

 

  But by the same notion this crowd is so used to being used but left behind by the party, while still being held to voting for the party's candidates for desperation not to allow that "liberal" to win.

 So they will admit in your poll they will swallow their ideals, prostitute their vote and pull that lever for the "conservative offering who stands a chance.

 

What did you expect to see..  actually voting against the party they would rather win because the one they prefer they assume has no chance.

 

This is how the party oligarchy has retained power all these years.. The party of Lincoln has become the party of wall street.




Courtesy and Courage, Sincerity and Self-control, Honor and Loyalty...a code to live by!
The 48th Ronins Garden of meditations
the_48th_ronin at redstate
Immigration reform on Topix
June 17, 2007 08:19 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
April 25, 2007
Comment updated June 17, 2007 08:28 PM
James D. Bast said: I really would like for someone to inform me as to wether or not , there is going to be anyone running for president  , that will not spit in the American publics faces , after they are elected ? I have been voting for 40 yrs. , & have yet to find a President that has ignored popular wish for the well being of the people ! There are so many uninformed people in the United States that are going to vote for officials , merely because they are famous or , their friends like them , that it makes me sick ! I believe complaceancy has taken over the majority of our populous ! I have tried to read up on the candidates , but theres not much out there ! I, really afraid i,m going to draw straws & PRAY that I haven,t done the wrong for our people !! Anyone who thinks they can help me decide correctly , I sure need help !   

Try this... Atlanta Burning and anyone else who doesn't know Ron Paul

http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/rp-everything.html

A strict constitutionalist!  You won't agree with everything he says, but what he says will agree with the constitution.

 

Fred Thompson with voting record

http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Fred_Thompson.htm

no comment I won't be voting for him even if he gets the Republican nomination. I didn't vote for either of the George Bushs.

 

Tom Tancredo voting record

http://www.ontheissues.org/House/Tom_Tancredo.htm

A good choice for a running mate for Ron Paul.  That ticket might even get my vote.  I certaily wont win if I write myself in again, ( But at least I will be voting for someone worth voting for).

 




Courtesy and Courage, Sincerity and Self-control, Honor and Loyalty...a code to live by!
The 48th Ronins Garden of meditations
the_48th_ronin at redstate
Immigration reform on Topix
June 17, 2007 09:01 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
April 25, 2007
Comment updated June 17, 2007 09:32 PM
cvs1956 said: can someone out there tell me what good it does to vote for a third party candidate? why not just vote "lib" and be done? that's where the vote goes! as far as NOT voting, i don't want uninformed people voting anyway! but i don't want to hear you complaining after the election, no matter who wins! you don't want to vote for the lesser of two evils? that's the only choice we've got here, folks! but hope springs eternal! i'm hoping Fred is the real thing, but will continue to listen and learn more about him. all i know is that ANY Republican is better than a Socialist! (except maybe McCain) yesssss, i'm verrrrry disappointed in the President too. i support the war on the Islamo-Nazis, but he's lost me on this amnesty thing! we're in a war on two fronts, either of which could bring down this democracy. it scares me to death! what will our coountry be like in 10 years? we have to fight both of them at the same time. i hope you will all vote for the candidate you think will get us through these perilous times. listen CAREFULLY! be vigilant! loved the poll and yep, we're waaaaaay ahead of the rest! we pay attention and care about our country.

Lets see if I can deal with this without resorting to the personal level you have decided is appropriate for this discussion.

First point. 

The "good it does" to vote for a third  party candidate or if you feel no one represents your views writing yourself in?

 

You either have intellectual honesty and character or you don't.  You can give up and allow others to dictate your choices, or you can take your pen in hand and say NO I WONT ALLOW THIS by voting against any party that offers poor choices for candidates.  Unless you are willing to have the intestinal fortitude to actually vote your conscience you are simply a serf doing the bidding of your master.  That might be enough for your life, BUT not mine. I have no master.

second point begin quote

i don't want uninformed people voting anyway! but i don't want to hear you complaining after the election, no matter who wins! you don't want to vote for the lesser of two evils? that's the only choice we've got here, folks!   end quote

 

If a person has enough information and a belief that the candidates offered by the two main parties both represent a lessor of two evils choice you now are condemning THEM as uninformed?   Get real man  the uninformed pull the party lever thinking just because the party nominated them they must be the better man.

 

The voter who pulls the party lever for the lessor of two evils has even less right to complain about the outcome of the election.  Our for fathers created a republic and enjoined us to be ever vigilant.. They understood that politics would tend to bring people who desired personal power more than the good of the country.. They created a mechanism to remove those people that required an informed electorate . They could not fool proof the system against timidity. They could not foolproof the system against a complacency that "you have to pick one of them, that's the only real choices we have" would allow to become an oligarchy.  But they could fool proof the system against closing the election booth to new outside candidates.  Thats really all we have.. a choice to live like free men and demand GOOD leadership, or stand complacently at the side of the road cap in hand bowing as our betters ride by in their carriages. Voting for who THEY tell us to vote for.

 

 

Final point begin quote

all i know is that ANY Republican is better than a Socialist!

end quote

 

The problem with that is our present republican leadership has created and wants to enlarge the socialism we now have..  We have to accept allowing millions and millions of illegal looters as co-citizens to keep the supply of serf labor for their ruling oligarchic supporters   What do you think socialism was really like in the USSR?  a few apparatchicks telling everyone else what  was best for them without bothering to make it look like a democracy.    Wake up man  this is not a democracy  it is a republic.  ( hint "I pledge allegiance to the flag and to the republic for which it stands")

If you are already so cowed into believing that unless you agree to let the party elite pick your next leader you will be sorry... YOU are already lost   welcome to servitude!

As it says on the side of my trailer

"Posterity: you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom, I hope you make good use of it.   John Quincy Adams

 

if you have not seen my avatar expanded it includes a 20 ft  wide panoramic shot of the New Bern Ct National Cemetery 4 ft tall   with the words 3 ft tall in bright orange   FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.  It sounds to me like maybe you need to consider that voting for the lessor of two evils is saying you are unprepared to pay what ever price might be asked to preserve your freedom.

Only the BEST candidate is worth voting for.. if that is you  write yourself in.

Never Never Never give up!  Until you are prepared to bow to your masters.




Courtesy and Courage, Sincerity and Self-control, Honor and Loyalty...a code to live by!
The 48th Ronins Garden of meditations
the_48th_ronin at redstate
Immigration reform on Topix

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