Mitt Romney Backer Accuses Fred Thompson of Bribing Pro-Life Group

LifeNews ^ | 11/14/2007 | Steven Ertelt

[JRochelle]

Fred Thompson received the endorsement of the National Right to Life Committee on Tuesday and a surrogate for the campaign of Mitt Romney claimed Wednesday that it was motivated by money. Paul Weyrich, president of the Free Congress Foundation, says he can't find any other explanation. National Right to Life officials said Tuesday they backed Thompson because of his 100 percent voting record on pro-life issues, his willingness to back overturning Roe and the viability of his campaign.

But Weyrich, a Romney backer, told the Washington Times the endorsement "makes no sense" and claimed the Thompson campaign bought off the pro-life group.

"I think in all probability the Thompson people were engaged with the National Right to Life people in financial dealing," Weyrich said.

"In the past, the Republican Party has funded National Right to Life, and while [National Right to Life] can raise money on its own, it needs funding," Weyrich claimed.

David O'Steen, the executive director of the leading pro-life organization, called the claims ludicrous.

"He's got to be joking," O'Steen told the Washington Times. "There is absolutely no financial arrangement between [Right to Life] and the Thompson campaign or Fred Thompson."

Todd Harris, the communications director for the Thompson campaign, told LifeNews.com that the Weyrich accusations that the National Right to Life Committee was bribed by the Thompson campaign in exchange for its endorsement are "outrageous."

He said National Right to Life is supporting Thompson "because of Fred's 100% pro-life voting record."

"It is unseemly for the Romney campaign and its supporters to suggest that National Right to Life's coveted endorsement is based on a bribe," Harris added.

"If the Romney campaign is looking for the reason they did not receive the National Right to Life endorsement, they can start with the fact that Gov. Romney was pro-choice just two years ago," he told LifeNews.com.

"The Romney campaign was clearly hoping for this endorsement and are now clearly upset. But being denied an endorsement is no excuse to impugn the integrity of the very organization they were just days ago trying to woo," he concluded.

[JRochelle]

And no this hasn't been posted before, I checked.

:-)

[tsmith130]

Paul Weyrich, president of the Free Congress Foundation, says he can't find any other explanation

So he makes this outrageous accusation because HE can't "find any other explanation"? He needs to keep looking.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

This is an outrageous charge - Mr. Weyrich needs to get out front and center to take his ridiculous accusation back - very quickly.

[freekitty]

Well, that’s a new one.

[Reaganesque]

More of the pot calling the kettle black. You Fred supporters can really dish it out with your incessant cries of "Romney is buying his vitories" but let one Romney supporter say the same exact thing about Fred and you're crying and moaning about the outrageous, despicable nature of the attack for days on end. And there are always the obligatory demands that the Romney supporter who pointed this out be banned from Free Republic.

Well, in the general election, you aren't going to be able to ban Hillary supporters. They don't come here. You can piss and moan all you like about the "unfairness" of the Clinton machine but it won't change a thing. If Fred Thompson is so fragile a candidate that he can't take what he and his supporters are dishing out in the primaries, how's he going to fare against Clinton Inc.? Both you and your candidate need to calm down, grow up and grow a pair or we will be singing "Hail to the Chief" to another Clinton.

[Spiff]

It goes beyond hypocrisy. Yes, the Fred supporters have been accusing Romney for months of bribing his endorsees. But the real outrageous thing here is that the Thompson campaign's statement in response to Weyrich's foolish accusation is to claim that it was the Romney campaign itself that made the statement. That was a pure, unadulterated LIE coming from the Thompson campaign to claim that Romney or anyone in the Romney campaign made the stupid claim.

Of course they have to try to make a big deal about the Weyrich statement so that no one will pay attention to the other statements of disagreement with the NRTL made by prominent members of the Concerned Women for America, the Republican Pro-Life Caucus, and other pro-life groups.

[calex59]

Mitt supporters take note: As has been said of hillary due to her question planting, the person running the campaign(I.E. the candidate)controls what their aides say and do. Mitt is the one who put this guy up to it and this says a lot about the character of Mr. Romney, all of it bad.

Before you argue about this fact you should know you can't have it both ways, if Hillary is responsible for her aides actions then Mitt is responsible for his aides. Any other stance will be gross hiprocrisy.

[Spiff]

Mitt supporters take note: As has been said of hillary due to her question planting, the person running the campaign(I.E. the candidate)controls what their aides say and do. Mitt is the one who put this guy up to it and this says a lot about the character of Mr. Romney, all of it bad.

Paul Weyrich is not a member of the Romney campaign. He is not an "aide". He is a private individual, a prominent conservative leader, who privately chose to endorse Romney. The Romney campaign has no control over Weyrich or what he says. To make the accusation that Mitt himself put Weyrich up to making his foolish statement is an outrageous lie.

[calex59]

The only hipocrisy being shown on this thread is that of the Mitt supporters. This came from mitt. There is a vast difference of a FReeper accusing someone(Mitt)of bribery, it is another thing entirely for a backer to go on national news and scream about it like a little baby because his candidate( a candidate he works for BTW)didn't get the endorsement. Do you really think that Right to life would give an endorsement based on money? Mitt is for abortion and only recently changed his stance when he realized he would have to in order to get Elected and right to life knows this.

Grow up and face facts: Mitt is a useless Rino who will do nothing to abolish RoeVWade and in all likelyhood will push a health care plan that makes Hillary's look simple by comparison.

[Mr Rogers]

You Fred supporters can really dish it out with your incessant cries of "Romney is buying his vitories" but let one Romney supporter say the same exact thing about Fred and you're crying and moaning about the outrageous, despicable nature of the attack for days

Actually, I don't complain about Mitt's money - but those who do are usually suggesting he spends a lot of money ADVERTISING, and uses his personal fortune to pay for it.

I haven't heard anyone claiming Mitt buys endorsements.

[JRochelle]

Weyrich is a supporter just like Larry Craig.

Don’t worry, Mitt will throw Paul under the bus in due time.

[Spiff]

I haven't heard anyone claiming Mitt buys endorsements.

I guess you don't read the threads announcing the Romney endorsements.

[trisham]

"If the Romney campaign is looking for the reason they did not receive the National Right to Life endorsement, they can start with the fact that Gov. Romney was pro-choice just two years ago," he told LifeNews.com.

"The Romney campaign was clearly hoping for this endorsement and are now clearly upset. But being denied an endorsement is no excuse to impugn the integrity of the very organization they were just days ago trying to woo," he concluded.

****************

Where is Romney in all of this? Shouldn't he be denouncing what Weyrich said?

[JRochelle]

Mitt Romney has been making donations to conservative causes and organizations ever since he decided to run for President.

To name a few, National Review, the Heritage Foundation several pro-life groups. etc. I don’t know all the names, just know there are a lot.
Back when he was running against Ted Kennedy, he wanted to prove his liberal creds so he donated to Planned Parenthood.

Fred has not done that. He has a real conservative record.

Mitt has had to purchase his conservative creds.

[Spiff]

The only hipocrisy being shown on this thread is that of the Mitt supporters. This came from mitt.

No, it came from Paul Weyrich who is not part nor has he ever been part of the Romney campaign. He is the president of the Free Congress Foundation, a prominent conservative leader who privately chose to endorse Romney. Your contention, as well as the Thompson campaign's contention, that the Romney campaign or Mitt Romney himself had anything to do with Weyrich's foolish statement is an outrageous lie.

[Spiff]

Weyrich is a supporter just like Larry Craig.

No. Craig was actually a member of the Romney campaign. Romney had no choice but to dismiss him when it was revealed to Romney that Craig had been arrested and had pleaded guilty to criminal charges.

[Charles Martel]

Actually, I don't complain about Mitt's money - but those who do are usually suggesting he spends a lot of money ADVERTISING, and uses his personal fortune to pay for it.

I haven't heard anyone claiming Mitt buys endorsements.

That's my take as well, though I don't camp out on this site 24/7 like some do. I might've missed seeing a Fred supporter accuse Mitt of bribing an endorser. Surely the Romney supporters will post links to support this allegation.

[kevkrom]

You Fred supporters can really dish it out with your incessant cries of "Romney is buying his vitories" but let one Romney supporter say the same exact thing about Fred

See... there's this little thing called evidence that you may want to consider. Romney hasn't exactly been shy or secretive about pumping large amounts of money into winning straw polls (e.g., booking every bus in Iowa to prevent other candidates from being able to bus in supporters and busing in senior citizens to vote in a straw poll by the Florida Young Republicans).

He's been lavishing dishing out money to conservative groups while seeking their endorsements. groups he's never contributed to before, mind you, nor similar ones either. In some cases, they were groups that had previously opposed him.

No such track record exists for Thompson, so the cases are not comparable. Weyrich's comments reek of projection -- what was his price?

[uncbob]

Paul Weyrich, president of the Free Congress Foundation, says he can't find any other explanation.

Right Romney deserved the backing because of his STRONG Pro Life record in Mass

[FastCoyote]

“Paul Weyrich is not a member of the Romney campaign. He is not an “aide”. He is a private individual, a prominent conservative leader, who privately chose to endorse Romney.”

Weyrich’s endorsement wasn’t very private, it was meant to be on a par with the NLTL endorsement. You just got burned by your own guy and now you have to spin spin spin, like usual.

[Reaganesque]

No problem:

To: Reaganesque

Buying all the people you can buy helps. If there is a surge, could be just a wet dream.

11 posted on 11/14/2007 7:21:49 AM PST by org.whodat (What's the difference between a Democrat and a republican????)

Link

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...The general quid pro quo pattern is this: a) conservative group criticizes Willard; b) Willard gives money to group in manner he never has before; c) Group does 180 on Willard and suddenly loves him.

196 posted on 11/14/2007 11:51:39 AM PST by Petronski (Congratulations C.C. Sabathia - A.L. Cy Young 2007)

Link

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Hey, aren’t the Romney supporters always bragging about how much of Mittzie’s own money he’s investing to buy this presidency? Can’t help it if some people get suspicious.

218 posted on 11/14/2007 12:32:55 PM PST by Jim Robinson (Our God-given unalienable rights are not open to debate, negotiation or compromise!)

Link

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...Its all about the Benjamins baby...



4 posted on 11/06/2007 2:11:06 PM PST by colorcountry ("ever met a gang banger with a hunter safety card?" ~ Ted Nugent)

Link

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Q: What's driving the Romney Surge?

A:



28 posted on 11/14/2007 7:38:24 AM PST by RockinRight (Just because you're pro-life and talk about God a lot doesn't mean you're a conservative.)

Link

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And here's one from the author of this thread:

Dear Paul,

Just because your guy tries to buy all the endorsements he can does not mean that all the other candidates do it too.
1 posted on 11/14/2007 7:18:33 AM PST by JRochelle

Link

There are many, many more that I could have posted and I'm willing to post them if you want. Heck, just read a number of the comments on this thread, particularly from JRochelle. Anybody who supports Mitt Romney is bought and paid for. (See response 14: "Mitt has had to purchase his conservative creds.") And don't Clinton up on me and claim that "buying people" isn't the same thing as "bribery".

[Ingtar]

How many of those comments are made in the MSM by a public figure?

[colorcountry]

I will stand behind my belief that Romney is throwing money at anyone who will catch it. Romney has money - he's trying to buy the election, Fred doesn't have money and so he can't attempt to buy endorsements or votes. That is the biggest difference.

I wish Romney would stop the embarrassing attempt. It dirties up the political process.

Oh and....

[MeanWestTexan]

They should have included the full text of the Thompson camp’s response, WHICH LEFT A MARK:

“Gov. Romney was pro-choice just two years ago. They should also consider the fact that Gov. Romney’s own health care plan in Massachusetts offers taxpayer funded abortions for a mere $50 co-pay and requires by law that a representative from Planned Parenthood sit on the MassHealth advisory board. Tellingly, Gov. Romney made no such requirement for a representative from the pro-life movement.”

[JRochelle]

http://harpers.org/archive/2007/10/hbc-90001501

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/23/romney-pac-donates-to-sc-groups/

Mr. Romney and a group of his supporters also contributed a total of about $10,000 to a nonprofit group affiliated with National Review. Over the past two years, he contributed $35,000 to the Federalist Society, an influential network of conservative lawyers. And in December 2005, he contributed $25,000 to the Heritage Foundation, a leading conservative research organization that has helped support his Massachusetts state health care plan to other conservatives. His charitable foundation has not yet released its 2006 tax filings, which may show what other donations it may have made last year.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/12/us/politics/12topic-romney.html

His campaign, for instance, paid for vans and hotel rooms for young supporters to attend the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in the hope of doing well in the event’s straw poll — a vote that had never before drawn much attention. And more recently it was revealed that in the months before he announced his candidacy, he made large donations to several conservative groups in a position to influence his reputation on the right.

Now Reaganesque, I know you will have a fit about the sources. But if what is reported in these links is not the truth, has the Romney campaign denied the donations?

I will take back my suggestions that Romney is attempting to buy endorsements, (which by the way isn’t illegal is it?) if you can prove that he never gave to these groups and organizations.

[HerrBlucher]

See... there's this little thing called evidence that you may want to consider. Romney hasn't exactly been shy or secretive about pumping large amounts of money into winning straw polls (e.g., booking every bus in Iowa to prevent other candidates from being able to bus in supporters and busing in senior citizens to vote in a straw poll by the Florida Young Republicans).

Yup, that is the difference. There is NO evidence that Fred bought, or even attempted to buy, the NRTL endorsement but there is a boatload of evidence that Romney is trying to buy the election.

But Mittheads don't need evidence to support their ridiculous accusations, there was one Mitthead post on another thread saying that the NRTL supported Fred because they are anti-Mormon......LOL! I guess if you throw out the "bought" accusation you would have to resort to the "bigot" accusation to fill the Romney crybaby void.

[JRochelle]

Now show me where Fred has done what Romney did.

PUT UP OR SHUT UP!

[JRochelle]

Another story.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/11/us/politics/11romney.html?hp

[GregH]

The Presidential race is not for paupers. It is going to require money, if Fred has problems raising it then it is his own problem and not Mitt’s, many of Fred’s crybaby supporters dont like the fact it takes money for campaigning. BTW there is no evidence that Romney accused Thompson personally of buying endorsements despite the ranting of Fred’s whining supporters.

[JRochelle]

More,

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/08/17/romney_aided_conservative_groups/

Romney and his foundation can give to whomever they please.

But spare us, we are not stupid. He gave in order to influence them. Hell thats why most people give to politicians!

[colorcountry]

Maybe you missed this post from one of the most (lol) influential FreeRepublic posters ever!

To: CharlesWayneCT
Hey, aren’t the Romney supporters always bragging about how much of Mittzie’s own money he’s investing to buy this presidency? Can’t help it if some people get suspicious.

218 posted on 11/14/2007 1:32:55 PM MST by Jim Robinson (Our God-given unalienable rights are not open to debate, negotiation or compromise!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 199 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1925599/posts?page=218#218

[Pistolshot]

You Fred supporters can really dish it out with your incessant cries of "Romney is buying his vitories"

Romney does buy 'vitories'.

but let one Romney supporter say the same exact thing about Fred and you're crying and moaning about the outrageous

If there was ANY basis for this accusation, we would all be on it, unfortunately for you, there is no evidence that Fred 'bribed' the NRTL to endorse him. None whatsoever.

That is the difference.

[Reaganesque]

Or what? You'll go whining to Jim Robinson demanding that I be banned? Go ahead. Coward. You are running around saying that Mitt has bought off all of his support based on contributions he has made with ZERO evidence of any direct link between these contributions and his support. You are spreading innuendo and rumor as if it were fact. That is flat out dishonest and to listen to you whining about "false accusations" is nauseating.

I was asked directly if any Thompson supporter had made the allegation that Mitt supporters had been bribed. I provided concrete evidence and now you're spinning as if you didn't write what you wrote. Heck, I could have included the fact that you and many other Thompson supporters have accused me of being a paid operative of the campaign, but why pile on when the evidence is so overwhelming?

If you don't have the integrity or guts to own up to your own sleazy, underhanded, dishonest BS then I suggest you find another avocation. What you and a few other Thompson supporters are engaged in is very nearly slander. But hey, it's worked for the Democrats, why not you, eh?

[Zionist Conspirator]

Why isn’t Paul Weyrich supporting Duncan Hunter???

[Reaganesque]

Yes, actually I did post it above. Go back and read my previous post. It's just above your enlightened post.

I am not surprised that you stand by your accusations. You once justified the murder of Joseph Smith to me as being nothing more than "frontier justice." So, it's not surprising you haven't a problem in the world with slander.

[JRochelle]

Now you are having a hissyfit.

I’m done responding to you.

[Reaganesque]

Ah yes, I ask you for direct evidence and you go into hiding. Naturally. That’s what most cyber-bullies do. Make an unverifiable claim and when they are called on it whine, complain about how unfair it all is being held responsible for a lie and then they clam up and refuse to talk about it. That ought to work wonders when it’s Hillary doing the bashing.

[colorcountry]

....Frontier justice is served.

[JRochelle]

I’m not going anywhere.

I posted evidence about Romney and him many donations to conservative causes, you refuse to see them for what they are.

I can’t make you open your eyes. Believe what you want, I’ll do the same.

[Petronski]

Paul Weyrich is not a member of the Romney campaign. He is not an "aide". He is a private individual, a prominent conservative leader, who privately chose to endorse Romney. The Romney campaign has no control over Weyrich or what he says.

Profiles in **ahem**
Willardian Courage


The buck stops . . .
over there somewhere . . .

Quick! Throw Weyrich under the bus . . .
. . . with Limbaugh!

[Petronski]

Where is Romney in all of this? Shouldn't he be denouncing what Weyrich said?

See #40. LOL

[Petronski]

Aw, you’re a resistance fighter. How cute.

[Badeye]

I think its worth noting at this point nobody will remember this particular thread, or these particular charges and counter charges come November of 2008.

[Petronski]

Make an unverifiable claim and when they are called on it whine, complain about how unfair it all is being held responsible for a lie and then they clam up and refuse to talk about it.

Tune in tomorrow at this same time for another inspirational reading from the Romney Sleaze Machine Resistance Manual, sponsored by Acme Palm Grease, the market leader in palm-greasing products since way the hell back when.

[trisham]

Romney hasn't exactly been shy or secretive about pumping large amounts of money into winning straw polls (e.g., booking every bus in Iowa to prevent other candidates from being able to bus in supporters and busing in senior citizens to vote in a straw poll by the Florida Young Republicans).

**************

Seriously? If true, that's pretty underhanded.

[Ingtar]

Why isn’t Paul Weyrich supporting Duncan Hunter???

If you look at some of the articles that you can find with an internet search, there was SPECULATION that he supported Romney as part of the BHSEIICYS effecting the Republican Party. (Beat Hillary even if it Costs Your Soul)

In an earlier NewsMax interview, Weyrich had referred to Romney as someone who "could be supported" and "the best campaigner." Weyrich said, "I think he is somebody who is rushing toward the movement trying to present himself as a conservative and in some ways it's more useful to have somebody like that."

Weyrich also explained to LifeSiteNews that he thought Romney could present a realistic challenge should Senator Clinton receive the Democratic nomination. "Half the country doesn't like her and, as a consequence, any Republican would have a chance against her. Right now [Romney] is down in the polls but he was down in the polls in New Hampshire and South Carolina and he has come up. I think given time and given the resources that he has, I think he will be able to present himself to the American public."

Weyrich Wants to Stop Giuliani From Getting Nomination

Weyrich also offered justification of his endorsement saying, "I felt the race would boil down to Giuliani verse Romney and I certainly do not support Giuliani. I felt there probably would be an effect if Romney wins New Hampshire and now it looks like he has a shot at winning South Carolina and if all that happens it is going to have an effect on Super Tuesday so I felt he would be the best candidate to stop Giuliani"

Weyrich has been quoted in several other articles voicing his opposition to Giuliani saying, "I'm not for Giuliani. I want to try to stop him from getting the nomination."

[Reaganesque]

Well, you asked for evidence that Thompson supporters were making the same accusations against Romney. I started the ball rolling with some quotes and several of the people quoted have confirmed and amplified their charges. But, when it’s lies for their side, those lies are true.

[stephenjohnbanker]

LMAO!

[kevkrom]

Seriously? If true, that's pretty underhanded.

Yep. In both cases, Mittwits were actually bragging about it, saying that it showed the effectiveness of Romney's "organization".

[trisham]

Romney is ambitious. He wants the presidency too much.