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TechnoratiWASHINGTON – Social conservatives across the nation convened Friday in the nation’s capital to hear Republican presidential hopefuls pitch what they value at a much anticipated summit that is expected to provide an early prediction of which candidate will win the favor of Christian conservatives.
(Photo: The Christian Post)Former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson speaks at the Washington Briefing 2007: Values Voter Summit on Friday, October 19, 2007 in Washington, D.C.
Under patriotic colored lights and an American flag backdrop, nine Republican candidates are appealing for the vote of more than 2,500 values voter from 48 states during the two-day “Washington Briefing 2007: Values Voter Summit.”
The summit, hosted by the conservative group Family Research Council, is the largest platform for presidential candidates to address social conservatives. This year’s event saw a 50 percent increase in attendance compared to last year, according to FRC’s president, Tony Perkins.
The FRC head opened the event by listing the key issues for value voters – restoring a culture of life, upholding marriage as between one man and one woman, promoting pro-family values, protecting religious freedom, and supporting the nation’s defense and responsible foreign policy.
“Wherever we go, we must take with us the message of faith, freedom, and family,” Perkins said. “We must not waver in our commitment to these values, my friends, because they will determine not only our generation but the future of generations to come.”
The seven candidates who spoke Friday all pledged to fight abortion and gay “marriage.”
Former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney arguably received the warmest welcome by the crowd who stood up to clap when they got on stage and excitedly flashed cameras at the presidential hopefuls.
Thompson wooed the conservative Christian crowd by saying his personal experience through seeing his child’s sonogram helped solidify his pro-life stance.
“I will never feel the same again because my heart is now fully engaged with my head,” said the former Law & Order actor. “No legislation that funds this procedure (abortion) will pass my desk without my veto.”
Thompson highlighted his 100 percent pro-life voting record during his eight years in office.
“I’m proud of that voting record. That’s who I was then, that’s who I am today, and that what I will be as president,” Thompson said.
The former Tennessee senator also said he is opposed to embryonic stem cell research and would help to put more judges like Chief Justice John Roberts in the Supreme Court.
Thompson admitted that he had no idea what he would do in his first 100 days in the White House, but knew what he would do in the first hour.
“I would go into the Oval Office and pray for the wisdom to know what’s right,” said the man who has also confessed to not attending church regularly. “In my first hour I would pray for the strength to do what’s right.”
Despite the warm reception by the audience, some were heard saying Thompson’s speech was “overwhelmingly disappointing.” He did not clearly enunciate his values nor provide a detail picture of his goals in office to improve America.
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney was also well-received by the crowd, which didn’t seem to be bothered by his Mormon faith. Romney repeatedly emphasized his strong pro-family stance saying he is pro-family “on every level from personal to political.” Continue »
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