Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Quick Reference
Posted on 09/28/2007 5:59:13 PM PDT by Josh Painter
It is now becomming apparent that the rumors were somewhat premature that the evangelical leaders who belong to the loose coalition known as the Arlington Group had soured on the candidacy of Fred Thompson. The American Spectator's Washinton Prowler reports:
Earlier this week, former Sen. Fred Thompson met privately in Washington, D.C. with senior members of the Arlington Group, a coalition of social and religious conservatives. The meeting, according to Arlington Group members present, included members who had previously met with Thompson at a private meeting in the spring, prior to Thompson's speech before the Council on National Policy.It seems the only Arlington member to have fallen out with Fred is Focus on the Family's Dr. James Dobson. And it's debatable if Dobson was ever "with" Thompson to begin with. In fact, Dobson's disses of Fred may have more to do with politics than religion. Once again, The Prowler delivers the goods:
At the meeting this week Thompson answered questions and discussed his views on social issues, as well as his own faith, for more than an hour.
"He's impressive, and a number of us want to help him," says a member of the Arlington Group who was present. "The group itself can't endorse, but I sense that a majority of the major players here will help Senator Thompson. From a social conservative's perspective, he's the most electable of the bunch, and he made it clear that he would not disappoint us if he were elected. He'll work with us to accomplish our goals."
Most critical to the members, according to an Arlington Group staffer present, was Thompson's more in-depth explanation of his position supporting a Constitutional amendment barring gay marriage, but not the one most members of the Arlington Group have been supporting.
"It doesn't go as far as many of us would like, but it goes a lot further than Rudy Giuliani, and he's got a much more solid record on the issue than Mitt Romney. It gets us closer to where we need to be. I am satisfied," says another religious leader at the meeting. "In the end, Thompson's position would bar judges from changing the definition of marriage, and he said that he would be supportive of a Constitutional amendment if we were able to get it passed. What I came away from the meeting with was that, first, he is one of us, and second, he will actually work with us and use the bully pulpit of the presidency to help us and our nation's culture."
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich is examining whether or not to enter a "testing the waters" campaign phase beginning the first week of October. According to Gingrich associates, he is mulling an announcement tour that would include appearances on one major Sunday morning show next weekend, along with several Fox News shows on Monday, as well as an appearance on Dr. James Dobson's radio show.I'm sure Dr. Dobson, as is his right, has reasons for supporting a potential Gingrich run for the presidency. One only wishes that the good doctor had been a little less disengenuous about his reasons for bashing Fred Thompson.
"It's not a coincidence that you saw Dr. Dobson attacking Fred Thompson when he did," says a former associate of Dobson's. "There's a strategy here, and it's about clearing the way for Gingrich to get in."
Shortly after Gingrich appeared on Dobson's radio show earlier this year and poured his heart our to Dobson, who forgave him for past personal indiscretions, Dobson attacked Thompson for not being -- in Dobson's view -- a Christian. That attack was interpreted by many to be Dobson's attempt to deflate what was then growing support for Thompson within the social conservative movement.
Last week, Dobson again attacked Thompson by leaking an email to the Associated Press slamming the former Tennessee Senator who currently sits second in most national polls. Across the south, he generally holds the top position.
Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
WARNING: If you wish to join, be aware that this ping list is EXTREMELY active.
On the marriage amendemnt: "[Fred] doesn't go as far as many of us would like, but [he] goes a lot further than Rudy Giuliani, and he's got a much more solid record on the issue than Mitt Romney. It gets us closer to where we need to be. I am satisfied," says another religious leader at the meeting. "In the end, Thompson's position would bar judges from changing the definition of marriage, and he said that he would be supportive of a Constitutional amendment if we were able to get it passed. What I came away from the meeting with was that, first, he is one of us, and second, he will actually work with us and use the bully pulpit of the presidency to help us and our nation's culture."
Good enough. Fred`s a conservative and a Christian. I just think he answers to a higher power than James Dobson.
I always liked Newt but if he gets in it would be an idiotic move. He can neither win the nomination nor the general and all he’ll do is dilute the conservative vote and hand the nomination to Julie Annie on a silver platter.
Newt, shut up and write!
Always liked Newt and could have supported him, but I have to agree with you. Its a little too late. I hope Newt decides playing the spoiler isn’t a good move.
Say goodnight Newt.
Good thing I just bought a case of popcorn. I’m going to need it if Dobson endorses Newt. Watching the lemmings trying to justify that will be lots of fun.
I think Newt would be a great addition to the new FRedministration, he’s a very smart and savy person and I respect his abilities...but I don’t think that America will elect him.
If Dobson supports Newt for President, then my respect for Dobson falls to zero. Newt did what he did, and he did it more than once—and more callously the second time. Dobson wants to say that Thompson’s not the Christian that he should be? LOL— neither is Newt, and in SPADES! What hypocrisy.
Newt’s an intelligent man, but he’s heavy in the “flaw” department.
I wonder if one of those "Arlington Group" was Gary Bauer? I recall seeing Gary at Fred's Washington DC fundraiser on July 30. So Bauer seems to have been WITH FRED all the way.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.