FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 6, 2007
Full Transcript of Fred Thompson's Webcast Announcement
McLean, VA - Last night, after appearing on the
"Tonight Show with Jay Leno," Fred Thompson launched a webcast in which
he announced his candidacy for the U.S. Presidency on his website,
www.Fred08.com. Below is the full transcript of the webcast:
Fred Thompson Announcement Speech
"My friends, I come to you today to tell you that I intend to run for
President. I feel deeply that I am doing it for the right reasons. I
love my country and I am concerned about its future. Just within the
next few years, some very serious challenges are moving towards us that
will present a difficult and dangerous time in the life of our nation.
There are grave issues affecting the safety and security of the American
people and our economic well being. I'm going to do my level best in
this campaign to address these problems. I'm going to give this campa
ign all that I have to give, and I hope that you will join me.
"My story is an American story - like one of many our country has
produced - where a small town kid of modest means and modest goals grows
up to realize that he has been a very lucky person. Lucky to have been
born in America, lucky to have had the parents I had and lucky to have
had a few people in my life who sometimes saw more in me than I saw in
myself.
"I have seen my country from a lot of different vantage points. I was a
teenage husband and had three wonderful children early. I have worked
for minimum wages, for salaries more than I ever thought I would make,
and for everything in between. I have had dinners on the factory floor,
while working the graveyard shift, and I have dined with world leaders
in foreign capitals.
"As a lawyer, I have been a federal prosecutor and a counsel for the
Watergate Committee. In private practice a courageous woman and the jury
trial that we had against a corrupt state administration resulted in a
movie. I was asked to play myself, which started a most unlikely part
time film career.
"Then a Senate seat opened up in Tennessee. For me it represented an
opportunity for public service, not for a new career as a politician. So
I set aside my law practice and the movies, placed term limits on
myself, and won two elections by 20 point margins in a state that
President Clinton carried twice.
"In 1994 when I first ran, I advocated the same common sense
conservative positions that I hold today. They are based upon what I
believe to be sound conservative First Principles - reflecting the
nature of man and the wisdom of the ages. They are based upon the
conviction that our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution are
not outdated documents that have outlived their usefulness. It is a
recognition that our basic rights come from God and not from government.
That government should have its power divided, not only at the federal
level but between the federal government and the states. Fe deralism is
the belief that not every problem should have a federal solution.
Essentially it's about freedom. A government that is big enough to do
everything for us is powerful enough to do anything to us.
"These principles lead me to believe in lower taxes, which foster growth
and leave more power in the hands of the people. They also respect free
markets, private property, and fair competition. They honor the sanctity
of life - the great truth every life matters, and no person is beneath
the protection of the law. These principles made our country great and
we should rededicate ourselves to them, not abandon them.
"Now to my Republican friends, I point out that in 1992 we were down
after a Clinton victory. In 1994 our conservative principles led us to a
comeback and majority control of the Congress. Now you don't want to
have to come back from another Clinton victory. Our country needs us to
win next year, and I am ready to lead that effort.
"When I went to the Senate, I wanted to help accomplish certain things
that I thought were necessary and achievable. I wanted to balance the
budget, cut taxes, reform welfare, require Congress to live under the
laws that they had imposed on others and I wanted to begin modernizing
of our military. We were able to get those things done. I also took a
leadership role in the passage of the homeland security bill, and
blocked export control legislation that would have allowed the sale of
our sensitive technology to unreliable countries. As Chairman of the
Governmental Affairs Committee, I led an investigation and held hearings
on the failure and sh ortcomings of our government. This resulted in a
two volume work that I published in 2001, entitled "Government at the
Brink" and still available on the Internet. It outlined these
deficiencies and made recommendations to cut waste and save billions.
Now these problems have only grown worse since that time. I served on
the Intelligence Committee and saw close up the importance of improving
our intelligence capabilities in our fight against terrorism and got a
good sense of other troubles over the horizon.
"In 2002 I announced that I would not run for re-election and I
re-entered private life. While my television work on "Law & Order" got
more attention, I stayed involved in national security issues including
service as Chairman of the International Security Advisory Board at the
State Department.
"One of the most rewarding experiences I had was when President Bush
asked me to assist now Chief Justice John Roberts through the Senate
confirmation process. It is very important that the next President
appoint federal judges who interpret the Constitution, not try to make
it fit their own personal or political views. I have seen both kinds of
judges, and I know the difference.
"A guy can do a lot of things and travel the world but find that the
most important things in life occur under his own roof. I married a
wonderful lady during my last year in the Senate and the following year
we found out that we were going to be parents. I knew from the moment I
heard the news that we had been blessed. How true it was. Our little
girl, Hayden, who will tell you she is three and three-quarters years
old, now has a little brother. His name is Sammy and he is 10 months
old. Earlier this year when I thought about whether I should enter this
r ace, I kept coming back to 2 questions. First, what kind of country
are our children and grandchildren going to grow up in and second, how
many people have the opportunity to do something about it?
"That leads me here and why I'm talking to you today. On the next
President's watch, our country will be making decisions that will affect
our lives and our families far into the future. We cannot allow
ourselves to become a weaker, less prosperous and more divided nation.
Today as in past generations, the fate of millions across the world
depends on the unity and resolve of the American people.
"The specter of weapons of mass destruction in the hands of our worst
enemies continues to grow, and still we have yet to really come to terms
with the nature and extent of the threat we are facing from radical
Islamic terrorism. These extremists look at this war as a long struggle
that has been going on for centuries; they are willing to take as long
as necessary to bring the United States and our allies to our knees,
while killing hundreds of thousands of innocent people, if possible.
Iraq and Afghanistan are current fronts in this war and the world
watches as our will is tested. Our courage as a people must match that
of the brave men and wo men in uniform fighting for us. We must do
everything in our power to achieve success and make sure that they and
their families' sacrifices are not made in vain. They know that if we
abandon our efforts or appear weak and divided, we will pay a heavy
price for it in the future. Some of our leaders in Congress need to
understand this as well.
"In this broader war with this different kind of enemy, our success
cannot always be measured by battlefield victories. Success will depend
upon the determination of the American people and that's why we'll win.
There is a courage that comes in unity. Now is the time to show that
America united can overcome any danger, and America united can complete
any mission.
"Before the end of my senate service, in the year after 9/11, I saw the
Congress of the United States at its best - alert to danger and focused
on duty. We need to recover that clarity and conviction in matters of
national security. The threat of catastrophic violence in America is
real and the terrorists aren't going away of their own accord. We must
deploy every resource including diplomacy, intelligence, and economic
power to defend this nation and our national interests. If I am
Commander in Chief, this country will never be left to the mercy of
terror regimes or terror states.
"We have challenges on the home front as well. Before long we will have
spent the Social Security surplus and will see the "baby boomers" begin
to retire. On our present course, deficit financing will saddle future
generations with enormous taxes, jeopardize our economy and endanger our
retirement programs. The Government Accountability Office, the
Comptroller of the United States, and conservative and liberal
economists alike, tell us that this path is economically unsustainable.
Bipartisan leadership must address th is issue as part of a national
conversation, remembering that those yet to be born also have a seat at
the table. After all, it's their money that we are spending, and it is
economic security that's in the balance.
"Other important issues face our country. Our dependence upon foreign
oil, especially from trouble spots in the Middle East and elsewhere,
endangers our national security as well as our economy. For 50 years
nearly every recession has been associated with a spike in oil prices.
"What we need is another spike in American creativity and innovation.
Over the past several years we have had revolutions in our
communications, science, and medical fields. We need to revive that same
American know-how for our energy security, along with a willingness to
avail ourselves of the energy sources we already have r ight here at
home.
"In education, schools continue to fail our children and endanger
America's future competitiveness. Increasing amounts of federal funding
and government mandates have not resulted in real improvement. The
federal government can assist state and localities through grants with
fewer strings and less bureaucracy but should not take schools out of
the hands of parents and local officials. We should encourage the rights
of parents to choose the school and what's best for their child's
education.
"Rising health care costs are another major problem. We have the best
health care in the world but we are paying more than we should for it.
We have a massive bureaucracy in both the private and public health care
sectors that controls costs by dictating what services we are allowed to
get and when. Someone has to decide what costs are worth the money. It
can be the government, the insurance company or it can be you. I think
it is best if you, yourself decide what is best for you and your family,
with insurance that doesn't have to depend on your employ ment -
coverage that you can take with you if you change jobs; insurance that
you may purchase from anywhere in the nation for the best value. This
would be market driven and would make health insurance affordable for
more Americans.
"When we look to Washington, we see a bureaucratized government that is
increasingly unable or unwilling to carry out basic governmental
functions, including the fundamental responsibility of securing our
borders against illegal immigration and enforcing our laws. A nation
that can't protect its border will no longer be a sovereign nation. We
see a Congress more politicized and divided than ever and disconnected
from the American people. Is this the government that some would have
play an even greater role in running our lives? We must do better.
"I know that reform is possible in Washington because I have seen it
done. I do not accept it as a fact of life beyond our power to change
that the federal government must go on expanding more, taxing more, and
spending more forever.
"We, the American people, must assert ourselves. In times of stress and
peril in this country's history, including world wars, a great
depression, assassinations and attacks, other generations have put their
differences aside, remembered their common beliefs and overcame great
obstacles. And we have come out stronger and wiser for it. Now it's our
turn. No one person, including the President, has the ability or wisdom
to singlehandedly solve these problems. Nor does one party. But together
the American people do. These problems will be dealt with when our
leaders come together, as adults, and honestly seek solutions that
extend past the next election cycle. That will happen when, and only
when, the American people demand it. You can do that at the ballot box
and no election is more important than the one for president. It demands
a leader who understands this country, our people and what America's
priorities ought to be.
"Recently, I talked to a young Marine at Walter Reed Hospital. He had
lost both legs in Iraq but was looking to the future. I asked him what
he planned to do? He said he wanted to work with a nonprofit
organization that was doing a lot to help people. Then he looked at me
and said 'I just thought it was time I gave something back.'
"That young man, who has given so much for America and yet still asks to
give more, is typical of the men and women of the United States armed
forces. Our country has shed more blood for the freedom of other people
than all the other countries in the world combined. We are steeped in
the tradition of honor and sacrifice for the greater good. We are proud
of this heritage. I believe that Americans are once again ready to
achieve this greater good: which is nothing less than the security,
prosperity, and unity of our country.
"That's the belief that this campaign is based upon. I'd appreciate your
support of this cause and any contribution you're able to give. I'll try
to make you proud that you did it.
"Thank you and may God bless all of us."
Excerpts
of Fred Thompson's Announcement Webcast
McLean, VA - Tonight at midnight, Fred Thompson will be launching a
webcast in which he announces his candidacy for the U.S. Presidency
at his website, www.Fred08.com. Below are excerpts, embargoed until
12:01 am on September 6th:
"My friends, I come to you today to tell you that I intend to run
for President. I feel deeply that I am doing it for the right
reasons. I love my country and I am concerned about its future. Just
within the next few years, some very serious challenges are moving
towards us that will present a difficult and dangerous time in the
life of our nation. There are grave issues affecting the safety and
security of the American people and our economic well being. I'm
going to do my level best in this campaign to address these
problems. I'm going to give this campaign all that I have to give,
and I hope that you will join me.
"My story is an American story - like one of many our country has
produced- where a small town kid of modest means and modest goals
grows up to realize that he has been a very lucky person. Lucky to
have been born in America, lucky to have had the parents I had and
lucky to have had a few people in my life who sometimes saw more in
me than I saw in myself. I have seen my country from a lot of
different vantage points. I was a teenage husband and had three
wonderful children early. I have worked for minimum wages, for
salaries more than I ever thought I would make, and for everything
in between. I have had dinners on the factory floor, while working
the graveyard shift, and I have dined with world leaders in foreign
capitals."
***
"In 1994 when I first ran, I advocated the same common sense
conservative positions that I hold today. They are based upon what I
believe to be sound conservative First Principles - reflecting the
nature of man and the wisdom of the ages. They are based upon the
conviction that our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution
are not outdated documents that have outlived their usefulness. It
is a recognition that our basic rights come from God and not from
government. That government should have its power divided, not only
at the federal level but between the federal government and the
states. Federalism is the belief that not every problem should have
a federal solution. Essentially it's about freedom. A government
that is big enough to do everything for us is powerful enough to do
anything to us."
***
"Now to my Republican friends, I point out that in 1992 we were down
after a Clinton victory. In 1994 our conservative principles led us
to a comeback and majority control of the Congress. Now you don't
want to have to come back from another Clinton victory. Our country
needs us to win next year, and I am ready to lead that effort."
***
"The specter of weapons of mass destruction in the hands of our
worst enemies continues to grow, and still we have yet to really
come to terms with the nature and extent of the threat we are facing
from radical Islamic terrorism. These extremists look at this war as
a long struggle that has been going on for centuries; they are
willing to take as long as necessary to bring the United States and
our allies to our knees, while killing hundreds of thousands of
innocent people, if possible.
"Iraq and Afghanistan are current fronts in this war and the world
watches as our will is tested. Our courage as a people must match
that of the brave men and women in uniform fighting for us. We must
do everything in our power to achieve success and make sure that
they and their families' sacrifices are not made in vain. They know
that if we abandon our efforts or appear weak and divided, we will
pay a heavy price for it in the future. Some of our leaders in
Congress need to understand this as well."
***
"When we look to Washington, we see a bureaucratized government that
is increasingly unable or unwilling to carry out basic governmental
functions, including the fundamental responsibility of securing our
borders against illegal immigration and enforcing our laws. A nation
that can't protect its border will no longer be a sovereign nation.
We see a Congress more politicized and divided than ever and
disconnected from the American people. Is this the government that
some would have play an even greater role in running our lives? We
must do better.
"I know that reform is possible in Washington because I have seen it
done. I do not accept it as a fact of life beyond our power to
change that the federal government must go on expanding more, taxing
more, and spending more forever.
"We, the American people, must assert ourselves. In times of stress
and peril in this country's history, including world wars, a great
depression, assassinations and attacks, other generations have put
their differences aside, remembered their common beliefs and
overcame great obstacles. And we have come out stronger and wiser
for it. Now it's our turn. No one person, including the President,
has the ability or wisdom to singlehandedly solve these problems.
Nor does one party. But together the American people do.
"These problems will be dealt with when our leaders come together,
as adults, and honestly seek solutions that extend past the next
election cycle. That will happen when, and only when, the American
people demand it. You can do that at the ballot box and no election
is more important than the one for president. It demands a leader
who understands this country, our people and what America's
priorities ought to be."
###
Source: Friends Of Fred
Thompson
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