Posted on 09/14/2007 7:12:29 AM PDT by Calpernia
Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN) August 8, 1996
Section: A Section Page: A1
THOMPSON SAYS DOLE CAMPAIGN IS ERRING
Author: MICHAEL SILENCE, NEWS-SENTINEL STAFF WRITER
As the Republican's big show in San Diego nears, U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson on Wednesday chided Bob Dole's presidential campaign staffers for continually ``stepping on their own story.'' Thompson also said speculation Dole backed off abortion language to buffer the possible pick of an abortion-rights running mate is plausible. However, he added, that implies ``a well-thought-out move'' on the part of the Dole campaign.
The Tennessee Republican, in Knoxville to laud law enforcement and tour the Moses Teen Center, said he and other Republicans are frustrated over continued missteps by the Dole campaign. ``They just keep stepping on their own story,'' he said. Thompson cited as an example Dole's announcement Monday of a plan for a major tax cut and to balance the budget. Later that day, word came the Dole campaign had dropped Dole's ``tolerance'' proposal for the GOP convention next week. Dole had insisted on new language in the Republican platform specifically acknowledging differences of opinion on the abortion issue and calling for tolerance on the subject. The appeasing of social conservatives by dropping the tolerance proposal knocked ``an extremely important and very good'' economic and tax proposal off the front pages of newspapers across the country, Thompson said. ``It should have been foreseen this (the abortion issue) would take away'' from the impact of a major tax-cut proposal.
Thompson said the theory the abortion language was dropped to dampen the possible controversy of picking an abortion-rights running mate is reasonable thinking. But he added: ``That implies a calculated, well-thought-out move, and I hope there is some of that going on.'' He said he's not necessarily criticizing the Dole campaign -- ``Sometimes there are things going on we can't see'' -- but he did say it was another example of continued missteps that detract from Dole's message.
Thompson is seeking re-election after completing the last two years on a six-year Senate term left open after Vice President Al Gore was elected with President Clinton. A former actor and lawyer, Thompson is being opposed by West Tennessee lawyer Houston Gordon, a Democrat. Thompson, who will speak at the convention, has been dubbed a rising star among the freshmen in Congress, resulting in speculation Dole might pick him as a running mate. Asked about the chances of that happening, Thompson said, ``Zero possibility.'' ``You can't be your own man,'' he said.
This is precisely why Duncan Hunter will have to be satisfied with either VP or Secretary Of Defense position. The idea of Fred being a VP is laughable. He's the sure shot; not Hunter.
You will be happy to know, I won’t support Hunter if he shares a ticket with Thompson. So, no more fanatical DH posts from me then :)
Running down Fred with a ten year old article on his subject matter is about as desperate as you Duncanista`s can get. LOL
That’s why this guy, Scott Reed, was not considered for Fred. He ran the crappiest campaign for Dole and Fred called him on it.
Record is record. If it runs anything up and down, that is the information.
I’m definitely glad that Thompson had the good sense to see that Dole was a terrible candidate. I’m also glad that he tried to give him some sound advice. One would expect that of a party faithful.
So far, Thompson seems like he’ll be a decent candidate.
Hunter’s my first choice, but he’s getting no traction whatsoever.
This is 2007. Fred is pro-life and pro-tax reform.
I support that policy agenda and I support Fred!
This is an old story and it means nothing.
Related link posted at 1 says otherwise.
What it means is Fred was totally aware of why Dole’s campaign was so bad. Being run by Scott Reed, it was a sure loser. That’s why the ‘political insider’ was not even considered for the team.
Nothing wrong with Bob Dole supporting Fred Thompson.
Rather Dole support a gppd conservative like Fred, than a liberal like Giuliani or a centrist like Mitt.
That isn’t the link I was referring to.
make that good, not “gppd”.
My agenda is to get Fred nominated and elected POTUS. He’s the best conservative we have to beat the liberals, Rooty and Hillary.
Running down Fred is part of your agenda.
Copy an paste my run down please.
Reagan Man wrote: “Duncan Hunter`s campaign is headed down the tubes.”
It most certainly is NOT!!! It’s down in the cellar where it always was...
LOL Flush!
So Thompson didn’t serve eight, but only ineffectual six years in the Senate. Other than that, he co-chaired John McCain’s 2000 failed presidential run; he worked in a Law firm; he acted in a television serial; he lobbied Washington an off for 20 years, and this guy is qualfied to serve as President of the U.S.A.?
And what will be the policy agenda in 2008?
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