Republican and Conservative political analysis and commentary

Today and tomorrow the Family Research Council holds its Value Voters Summit in DC. It appears to have become another battleground, except this time on the ground rather than in speeches. Per Marc Ambinder, Fred Thompson has twice as many volunteers who are passing out literature highlighting the distinction on social issues between him and Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney. Additionally, Romney allies are passing out an anti-Giuliani flier. Romney will address the conference later tonight and Giuliani tomorrow.

An online straw poll accompanies the conference. Some excerpts from speeches thus far follow (Marc Ambinder, who is at the conference, will have more up-to-date coverage).

Fred Thompson:

My political record and my head were always there, always has been there, but I must say that it took life's experiences for me to absorb the real importance of it all. I had been blessed early in my life when I was young...and I have been blessed when I was not so young. I've had the
the ultimate tragedy that a father can have and the ultimate blessing that a father can gave.
With regard to Ms. Hayden, I can only say that after the first time in my life, seeing the sonogram of my own child. I will never think exactly the same again. I will never feel exactly the same again. Because my heart now is fully engaged with my head.

John McCain:

Wisdom suggests we should be reluctant to change a definition of marriage that has existed for thousands of years, but it takes courage in this day and age to insist that a mother and a father have unique and complementary roles in the raising of children, and that marriage reinforces public support for those roles. Wisdom suggests that we should be willing to give an unborn child the same chance that our parents gave us, but it takes courage in this political climate to insist on the protection of unborn children who can't vote, have no voice, and can't reward you with support and donations. Wisdom suggests that when activist federal judges impose their social views on the citizens of every state, the result is going to distort our politics in terrible ways, but it takes courage to insist that the courts have to return to their proper role.