Fred Thompson: Principles First; Platform Later

On Charlie Rose, responding to the question "What does conservatism mean today?"

It means things that are consistent with God's design for man, is consistent with human nature, it's consistent with the lessons of history, the lessons of ages. They found form in the Constitution I think and what our founding fathers believed. They understand that man can do great and wonderful things, but man is prone to error and sometimes do terrible things. That too much power in too few hands is a dangerous thing. That power is a corrupting thing.

Comments the RedState pundit:

Conservatives see the world in the form of principles by which we lead our lives. Thompson, to his credit, when he first ran put out a list of principles -- not policy statements or action items or anything else -- principles by which he would govern. Liberals can't do that. They have no principles any more. The only principle they have is the accumulation of power. That's it. That's the only principle. Sadly, too many Republicans lately have adopted that principle. They go wobbly.

The RedState pundit also noticed (as did I) that while Rush doesn't endorse during a primary, he's been very positive about Thompson.

VERY positive.