Thompson Basks in Southern Hospitality

Thompson basks in Southern hospitality

Republican candidate skips New Hampshire, heads to Columbia restaurant

Katie Jones

Fred Thompson

Posted at 10:10 p.m. Jan. 8, 2008

Former senator Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) felt right at home at a meet-and-greet Tuesday night at Birds on a Wire on Devine Street.

"All of the other candidates who are running for president are freezing in New Hampshire tonight while I'm in South Carolina," Thompson said. "Who's smart enough to run for president?"

After some initial joking with the crowd, Thompson spoke on the issues of Social Security, the Iraq War and the health care system.

"We have to do something for the next generation," Thompson said. "Things aren't always going to be easy. We are bankrupting the next generation."

What I like about Fred Thompson is he is honest and tells it like it is, not what others want to hear.

While Thompson did not address the issue of higher education or the rising cost of tuition in his speech, traveling spokesperson Jeff Sadosky said "Thompson believes education should be a marketplace with competing ideas."

The competition gives students better options, Sadosky said.

He added that Thompson will try to attract younger voters just as he would older voters.

The crowd was extremely receptive to Thompson's remarks, and several people gave him a standing ovation.

"I enjoyed his speech," said Mary Grey Branan, a second-year nursing student and server for Birds on a Wire. "His appearance will be good for business because a lot of people from the community came."

Branan said she was undecided as to whom she will vote for, but does plan on voting.

Tim Young, 24, likes Thompson for his straight-forward attitude and his plain-spoken approach to politics.

"I like his principles," Young said. "The buzz word right now is change. I like how he appeals to the principles that have served us well so far." [more here]

Principles can be defined, change can not.