Senator Fred Thompson just concluded a conference call with a number of bloggers. Before the call began, we were alerted to expect a “major conservative endorsement” of the Senator tomorrow. Thompson opened with a brief statement, mentioning that he has been in South Carolina since Monday, traveling all over the state, and spreading the message that he is the “clear consistent conservative” in the race. He said that he’s cut taxes, reformed welfare, fought for the Second Amendment, and helped balance the federal budget four years running. He reiterated that he has a 100 percent pro-life voting record, and that he’s the same conservative he was yesterday and will be tomorrow. He then opened it up for questions. Ed Morrissey: A Fox poll that was just released shows lots of undecideds in South Carolina. Are you seeing the same thing? Thompson: I see lots of people enthusiastic about my candidacy strongly supporting me. But that’s the way the campaign goes. I know there are lots of undecideds. This is a fluid campaign; one guy won Iowa, another won New Hampshire. I think we’ll have a new winner in South Carolina. I see McCain moving ahead, and Giuliani falling back. But the state is tailor-made for a consistent conservative. I’m just out there telling the people the truth about important issues. Rob Bluey: Are you following the debate over earmarks in Washington? As president, would you issue an executive order to disregard non-mandatory earmarks in appropriations reports? Thompson: Yes, yes. The earmarks are not part of the legislation. If they are not debated and voted up and down, they’re not part of the law. The president has the discretion to tell OMB to disregard what comes out of committee, and I would do so. Dan Riehl: In presidential races we see a showbiz/politics nexus. But even though you’re known from show biz, you’ve put forward more comprehensive proposals than anybody. Have you thought about changing anything to generate buzz? And, where will you go after at the debate? Thompson: On the latter point, wait and see. I won’t show my hand, but it will ‘go along the lines of what you’re talking about.’ I went from zero to third in Iowa with retail politics; it ought to work here as well. And it’s a surprise to some — because I made some movies and had a part in a TV show — that I’m not slick and scripted. But that’s not me; it never has been. It’s a creation in the minds of others. I’m not going to try to change. If it’s too laid back, it’s too laid back. I’m going to keep working hard like I did in Iowa.
Erick Erickson: You crossed Iowa in a bus and had no stops in New Hampshire. Are you going to do anything extra in South Carolina to change the media narrative about you? Thompson: I’ll listen to any ideas anyone has, but that’s never been a possibility with me. The media will only be impressed with success on election night. They get it majorly wrong so much of the time. I watched a panel of experts a few nights before Iowa — it was on Fox News in fact — and every one said McCain would come in third. Then that report came out that I was going to get out and endorse McCain, and the press lapped it up like kittens with a saucer of milk. It made me respond everywhere I went. I can’t worry about that; I have to stick to working hard. Quin Hillyer: The media narrative is set, but is there anything you can do to change narrative in and among the people of South Carolina — above and around the media? Thompson: That’s what I’m doing. I’m in 35 towns and communities, talking eye to eye, meeting with every local paper, every local station. But it’s about me, not my techniques; I either work or I don’t. That’s what South Carolina and me are all about. It’s a neighboring state, and reality wins out. My guess may be wrong, but I stand based on who I am and what I believe. He then spoke at length about how he can’t change who he is. He just has to keep getting his message out. He referenced McCain and Huckabee, and wondered about the reasons for their success. He said it wasn’t because they changed who they were; they labored out in the vineyard. And he said it’s not because the media decided one day to be with them. Lots of it had to do with what happened to the candidates around them and what they were doing. He said people need to ask themselves who they want sitting across from their worst enemy. Whom do they trust? Who is courageous, truthful, and honorable enough. Thompson said this campaign ought to be different from a high school election. And he expressed confidence in the American people–“they need to choose somebody people can be proud of.” Matt Lewis: Chuck Norris came in for Huckabee; Oprah endorsed Obama. Is there any plan to bring a celebrity to South Carolina? Thompson: Nope. I’d be very surprised if people supported Huckabee because of Norris. Tom Bevan: Should you have gotten in earlier? Thompson: We’ll look back on that one of these days. It’s more important with fundraising, rather than campaign structure. I’ve not given in to the notion that with modern communications being what they are, that these campaigns need to be longer. Is it a race to the bottom? If someone gets in three years out, do we all have to? It hasn’t helped Mitt much; it hasn’t helped Rudy much. Thompson then left to prepare for an hour-long interview on Sean Hannity’s radio show. You can hear it from 3:15-4:15 today.
