NRO: Thompson and Romney should join forces

Thompson-Romney
National Review

The two candidates most acceptable to conservatives, Thompson and Romney, are in not so good shape. The three least acceptable, Huckabee, McCain, and Giuliani, are in relatively good shape. It's entirely possible that the two conservatives will be knocked out early and the eventual nominee will be unacceptable to a large segment of the base.

Fred has chances to win SC; Mitt has chances to win MI. I want both to win and I think there is a way to make it happen.

Two months ago, in a WSJ interview, Mitt opined that the federal government should have a Chief Operating Officer. He himself would be the perfect choice. He "loves data" - he loves working with details.

My crazy idea is that Thompson and Romney join forces now. Thompson would be the President and CEO, Romney would be the COO. Each would play to his strengths. Fred would work on broad principles and policies (many have commented that he has the most complete set of positions on taxes, entitlements, etc.); Mitt would actually run the government on a day-to-day basis. He would tear into the Washington bureaucracy, reorganize it, and fix it - exactly what he wants to do and has done so well before.


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New CNN POLL: Romney 31%, Fred Thompson is third

Romney 31, Huckabee 28, Thompson 13 (New CNN Poll)
Townhall | January 1, 2008 | Hugh Hewitt

That's CNN's latest Iowa poll. Details:

The battle for the GOP presidential nomination is also tied at the top. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has the backing of 31 percent of likely Republican caucus-goers, while 28 percent support former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. Taking into account the survey's sampling error of 5 percentage points in the GOP race, it's a statistical dead heat between Romney and Huckabee.

Former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee places third in the poll at 13 percent with Sen. John McCain of Arizona 3 points back. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is at 8 percent, as is Rep. Ron Paul of Texas.

Mitt Romney's Real Record on Immigration

from campaign manager Bill Lacy on "Mitt Romney's Real Record on Immigration:"

"Once again today, Mitt Romney is proving he will do anything and say anything for political gain. The fact is, Mitt Romney called the McCain-Kennedy amnesty bill 'reasonable' while the vast majority of conservative Republicans called it 'unacceptable.' No matter how many millions he spends trying to cover up his previous positions, Romney's record is to the left of the GOP base on immigration, just as it is on matters of life, gay rights and fiscal responsibility."

The rest of the release is after the jump.

ROMNEY'S RECORD ON IMMIGRATION

In 2005, Romney said he would be "delighted" to provide support to illegal immigrants who wish to seek permanent legal status in the U.S.

· YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpUNVRNVk-E

In 2005, Romney called the McCain-Kennedy-Bush comprehensive immigration reform bill "reasonable" and defended the Senate bill. "I think that an amnesty program is one which all of the illegal immigrants who are here are now citizens and walk in and get your citizenship. What the President has proposed and what Senator McCain and Cornyn have proposed are quite different from that...those are the things that are being considered, and I think that those are reasonable proposals." (Mitt Romney Interview, The Boston Globe, 11/30/05; Liste n: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/03/16/romneys_words_grow_hard_on_immigration/)

In 2006, Romney vocally criticized fellow Republicans who stood up against the McCain-Kennedy-Bush amnesty bill and said they made "a big mistake." "...one of McCain's potential rivals for the GOP nomination, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, has made it known that he supports the President's immigration position, saying that Republicans who have broken rank with Bush 'made a big mistake.'" (Liz Sidoti, "McCain May Alienate Some Conservatives," The Associated Press, 9/20/06)

In 2006, Romney said that some illegal immigrants in the U.S. "should begin a process towards application for citizenship." "Gov. Mitt Romney expressed support...for an immigration program that places large numbers of illegal residents on the path toward citizenship...Romney said illegal immigrants should have a chance to obtain citizenship. '...those that are here paying taxes and not taking government benefits should begin a process towards application for citizenship, as they would from their home country.'" (Evan Lehman, "Romney Supports Immigration Program, But Not Granting 'Amnesty,'" The Lowell Sun, 3/30/06)

As Governor, Romney allowed three sanctuary cities to operate in Massachusetts: Cambridge, Orleans, and Brewster. (Yvonne Abraham, "City's Sanctuary Status Mocked," Boston Globe, 7/5/06; Lisa M. Seghetti et.al., "Enforcing Immigration Law: The Role of State and Local Law Enforcement," Congressional Research Service, RL32270, 11/14/06; Town Resolution, http://www.bordc.org/detail.php?id=197, accessed 10/1/07)

FRED THOMPSON'S RECORD: Consistently Voted To Secure Our Border

ü Supported The "Illegal Immigration Reform And Immigrant Responsibility Act Of 1996."

o Improved border control, facilitation of legal entry and interior enforcement

o Enhanced enforcement and penalties against alien smuggling and document fraud;

o Inspection, apprehension, detention, adjudication, and removal provisions for inadmissible and deportable aliens;

o Enforcement of restrictions against employment;

o Restrictions on benefits for aliens.

(H.R. 3610, Roll Call Vote #200, Bill Passed 72-27: R 50-3; D 22-24, 7/18/96, Thompson Voted Yea)

ü Voted For "The Immigration Control And Financial Responsibility Act Of 1996" As Part Of The Senate Judiciary Committee And On The Senate Floor.

o The legislation increased enforcement of laws against illegal immigration and eliminated incentives for legal immigrants to come to the United States and obtain welfare benefits.

o Increased authorization of funding for enforcement personnel and facilities

o Development of a system to verify eligibility to work and receive public assistance

o Strengthened existing employment-verification procedures, including (1) social security account information; (2) types of acceptable documents; (3) birth certificates; and (4) driver's licenses.

o Authorized INS wiretaps for alien smuggling investigations

(S. 1664, Roll Call Vote #107, Cloture Motion Passed 100-0, 5/2/96, Thompson Voted Yea).

ü Voted To End Chain Migration And The Visa Lottery In Senate Judiciary Committee, And For The Construction Of A Border Fence Near San Diego. (S. 1664, Judiciary Committee, Committee Report, 4/10/96 )

ü Was One Of Only 20 Senators To Vote To Repeal The Ban On The Search Of Open Fields By INS Officials. (S. 1664, Roll Call Vote #80, Amendment Rejected 20-79: R 9-44; D 11-35, 4/24/96, Thompson Voted Yea)

ü Voted For "The Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2001."

o Authorized 400 additional inspectors, investigators, and other staff on the INS over the next five years

o Strengthened the requirements that all commercial passenger ships and airplanes entering the United States provide a list of passengers and crew before arrival

o Provided for an entry-exit system in which visa holders are checked with a biometric identifier when he/she enters and leaves the country

(H.R. 3525, Roll Call Vote #75, Agreed To 97-0, 4/18/02, Thompson Voted Yea).

Romney v. Thompson: The Battle for the Christian Right?

The Christian Broadcasting Network | David Brody

So who's going to win the bulk of the "Christian Right" support? Mitt Romney is going after them.

Fred Thompson will too. Rudy Giuliani is not specifically targeting them yet look at the polls. He's doing surprisingly well among Evangelical Christians.

Conservative blogger and GOP activist Soren Dayton has a very interesting take below: "So, I read three things today that made a thunderclap in my head about the support of the Christian right in the 2008 GOP presidential nomination fight.

Fred Thompson popular poll choice

If you were running for president, whose shoes would you rather be in today: Mitt Romney's or Fred Thompson's?

the Politico