Nashville talk show host Steve Gill made a return visit to the Hamilton County Pachyderm Club on Monday and gave a rousing speech about “The Fred Factor” in the upcoming 2008 elections. Of course, he was speaking about Fred Thompson and the impact his candidacy will have on the election.
While identifying with and addressing those he calls “Conservative Republicans,” Mr. Gill said, “Who we have on our side beats everyone on their side.”
He said there are several candidates who are strong on the issues, but "unfortunately, that’s not what wins elections. To win an election, a candidate needs celebrity value.”
The speaker cited Hillary Clinton as the top contender for the Democrats and said she has celebrity value but her celebrity value comes from her husband, Bill Clinton. On the other hand, the Republicans have good candidates, but only Fred Thompson has the celebrity value that can win the election, he said.
Also, the fact that he is strong on the issues makes him the Republicans’ best candidate, he told the club.
According to Mr. Gill, Rudy Giuliani also has celebrity value but is wrong on some of the conservative Republican issues like Second Amendment rights (gun control).
Mr. Gill received loud applause and cheering when he said, “It’s time we kick butt, not kiss butt!”
To round out Fred Thompson’s résumé, Mr. Gill said that Fred Thompson will "make us feel comfortable the way that Ronald Reagan made us comfortable."
Like Reagan, Thompson did not grow up rich or well connected and Thompson has no façade that he changes to suit the cause, he said.
Mr. Gill expressed displeasure at Hillary Clinton’s changing façade. Her latest, he says, is her comment that she has always liked to play “pick-up basketball.” She took on this façade, Mr. Gill said, because Barack Obama had recently talked about playing basketball while growing up. Mr. Gill received another round of applause when he said, “Hillary makes Bill Clinton look honest.”
On speculating on whom Hillary Clinton might choose as a running mate, Mr. Gill said the Democrats are all about winning groups of people over to their side. Since the African-American vote is solidly in the Democratic camp, Hillary Clinton does not need Obama as a running mate to get their votes, he said. The group that the Democrats need is the Hispanics, he stated, noting that in the next election, Hispanic voters will outnumber the African-American voters for the first time in history.
According to the speaker, Hillary Clinton needs New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson as her running mate to secure the Hispanic vote.
How then do the Republicans counteract a strong move by the Democrats in nominating a Clinton/Richardson ticket? That’s where the “Fred Factor” comes in, he said.
Fred Thompson is strong on the issues, has celebrity value, and has the potential to change the face of the upcoming election, he told the club.
Putting aside the presidential election, Mr. Gill moved on to Tennessee politics. He said, “It is time that we weed out our politicians like we weed out our gardens. As long as we put up with their antics, they will continue.” While saying Chattanooga has great representatives, Mr. Gill urged the club membersr to get more involved. “We have the power to do something great,” he said.
During a brief time of questions from the audience, Mr. Gill was asked about a Fred Thompson/Condoleezza Rice ticket. He was emphatic in his reply. “Condi has excellent political skills; she is right on the Second Amendment; but I’m not clear where she stands on abortion. I would love to see Condi Rice and Bill Richardson debate. Condi would be a 'slam dunk' winner.”
“The Steve Gill Show” airs statewide on dozens of radio stations. Mr. Gill acknowledged that his show is not carried on any Chattanooga radio station and urged everyone to ask their favorite local station to start carrying his show.
Mr. Gill just completed a book titled The Fred Factor and copies were available for purchase.
New book on Fred Thompson
- Photo2 by Dana Wilbourn