Former Sen. Baker pushes Fred Thompson for president (Thompson supported McCain)

Scripps News ^ | March 9, 2007 | RICHARD POWELSON

[FairOpinion]

Former Senate Republican leader Howard Baker said Friday he is urging his friend Fred Thompson, a TV actor and former U.S. senator, to run for president and is encouraging others to draft him.

Among potential complications in a Thompson race is that he is good friends with McCain, a current presidential candidate. Thompson endorsed McCain for president in his 2000 bid.

Baker said his wife, former Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker, R-Kan., already supports McCain for president and Baker said he too might back McCain if Thompson does not run.

[restornu]

Gosh you keep missing my point just give credit where credit is do that is all!

Let put it this way, I would not sit home if he was the only choice to vote for.

I pray we can and will do better!

[DownInFlames]

Sounds like "Things are going to get a bit dicey around here" from H4RO.

[Reagan Man]

>>>>>>Gosh you keep missing my point ...

Wrong.

Its always nice to give credit, where credit is due. But Rudy has been getting kudos for his behavior post-9/11 long enough. He is running for POTUS, not HERO of America! People need to look at his political record. When conservatives look at his liberal record, they will backoff.

>>>>I pray we can and will do better!

Me too. But Rudy will never get my vote, under any circumstance.

[VRWCmember]

He voted for McCain/Feingold...

Not to nitpick -- ok to nitpick -- what you posted appears to be the cloture vote, i.e. the vote TO ALLOW a vote on the issue. It is not at all uncommon for someone to vote for cloture and then vote against the measure in question. Do you have his vote on the actual bill?

[Clara Lou]

i swear, it is the rudyites that sound fearful of Thompson. funny how they are all denouncing him in chorus on FR.
I agree with everything you said. These rudyites are starting new threads and saying the same things over and over. This particular thread's creator is one of those. Why such a strong reaction before Thompson has even announced?

My concern is that some people are so wrapped up in their personal favorite that they've lost sight of the fact that we need to come together A) on the best candidate B) who can win. Although I prefer Thompson, I'm not going to rip Hunter because he might turn out to be our candidate.

[VRWCmember]

he co-sponsored the dang thing... take a look..

Thanks for the links. A simple post of the actual vote on the bill rather than the cloture vote would have been sufficient.

[VRWCmember]

His misguided support for CFR notwithstanding, Thompson's record is one of a solid conservative, both fiscally and socially, and one who could be counted on in the area of appointing strict constructionist judges. If one would dismiss Thompson because he was wrong on the issue of CFR and McCain, how does one deal with a party front-runner who supports gun-control, opposes a ban on partial-birth abortions, supports marriage rights for homosexual couples?

[PhatHead]

It's the fact that Baker is endorsing Thompson now that worries me about Thompson.

It probably has more to do with the fact they are both from Tennessee and that Thompson (IIRC) worked for Baker back in the early 70s than with anything ideological. I think Thompson was a McCain supporter more out of personal friendship than anything else. Can't give you documentation to back any of that up, but that's my opinion...

[xsmommy]

IMO rudy cannot win. i heard a republican strategist on FOXnews use that very reason to explain the dissatisfaction with the field and the urging of Thompson to run, that many republicans fear that Giuliani cannot go the disance. i bash no one, but i do NOT want rudy as the republican candidate. i just want the candidate to be conservative,and the rudyites attempts to paint Rudy a conservative don't cut it. i think it's quite telling that they fear Fred Thompson jumping into the race. and as for baggage, i find it quite humorous when rudyites hint at Thompson baggage as their candidate is trundling a steamertrunk full behind him.

[dr_who_2]

Facts are good opinions.

[postaldave]

look conservative to me.



Fred Thompson on Abortion
Click here for 3 full quotes on Abortion OR background on Abortion.

* Voted YES on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)
* Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)
* Voted YES on banning human cloning. (Feb 1998)

Fred Thompson on Budget & Economy
Click here for 3 full quotes on Budget & Economy OR background on Budget & Economy.

* Voted YES on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts. (Apr 2000)
* Voted NO on 1998 GOP budget. (May 1997)
* Voted YES on Balanced-budget constitutional amendment. (Mar 1997)

Fred Thompson on Civil Rights
Click here for 9 full quotes on Civil Rights OR background on Civil Rights.

* Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
* Voted NO on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
* Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
* Voted NO on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (Mar 1998)
* Voted NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business. (Oct 1997)
* Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
* Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)
* Voted YES on Amendment to prohibit flag burning. (Dec 1995)
* Voted NO on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. (Jul 1995)

Fred Thompson on Corporations
Click here for the full quote on Corporations OR background on Corporations.

* Voted YES on restricting rules on personal bankruptcy. (Jul 2001)

Fred Thompson on Crime
Click here for 5 full quotes on Crime OR background on Crime.

* Voted NO on $1.15 billion per year to continue the COPS program. (May 1999)
* Voted YES on limiting death penalty appeals. (Apr 1996)
* Voted YES on limiting product liability punitive damage awards. (Mar 1996)
* Voted YES on restricting class-action lawsuits. (Dec 1995)
* Voted YES on repealing federal speed limits. (Jun 1995)

Fred Thompson on Drugs
Click here for 2 full quotes on Drugs OR background on Drugs.

* Voted YES on increasing penalties for drug offenses. (Nov 1999)
* Voted YES on spending international development funds on drug control. (Jul 1996)

Fred Thompson on Education
Click here for 8 full quotes on Education OR background on Education.

* Voted NO on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
* Voted NO on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
* Voted NO on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. (Apr 2001)
* Voted YES on Educational Savings Accounts. (Mar 2000)
* Voted YES on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules. (Mar 1999)
* Voted YES on education savings accounts. (Jun 1998)
* Voted YES on school vouchers in DC. (Sep 1997)
* Voted YES on $75M for abstinence education. (Jul 1996)

Fred Thompson on Energy & Oil
Click here for 6 full quotes on Energy & Oil OR background on Energy & Oil.

* Voted YES on drilling ANWR on national security grounds. (Apr 2002)
* Voted YES on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months. (Mar 2002)
* Voted YES on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling. (Apr 2000)
* Voted NO on ending discussion of CAFE fuel efficiency standards. (Sep 1999)
* Voted YES on defunding renewable and solar energy. (Jun 1999)
* Voted YES on approving a nuclear waste repository. (Apr 1997)

Fred Thompson on Environment
Click here for 4 full quotes on Environment OR background on Environment.

* Voted YES on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. (Jan 2001)
* Voted YES on more funding for forest roads and fish habitat. (Sep 1999)
* Voted YES on transportation demo projects. (Mar 1998)
* Voted YES on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests. (Sep 1997)

Fred Thompson on Families & Children
Click here for the full quote on Families & Children OR background on Families & Children.

* Voted YES on killing restrictions on violent videos to minors. (May 1999)

Fred Thompson on Foreign Policy
Click here for 7 full quotes on Foreign Policy OR background on Foreign Policy.

* Voted YES on enlarging NATO to include Eastern Europe. (May 2002)
* Voted NO on killing a bill for trade sanctions if China sells weapons. (Sep 2000)
* Voted YES on cap foreign aid at only $12.7 billion. (Oct 1999)
* Voted YES on limiting the President's power to impose economic sanctions. (Jul 1998)
* Voted NO on limiting NATO expansion to only Poland, Hungary & Czech. (Apr 1998)
* Voted NO on $17.9 billion to IMF. (Mar 1998)
* Voted YES on Strengthening of the trade embargo against Cuba. (Mar 1996)

Fred Thompson on Free Trade
Click here for 7 full quotes on Free Trade OR background on Free Trade.

* Voted YES on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002)
* Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001)
* Voted NO on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001)
* Voted YES on permanent normal trade relations with China. (Sep 2000)
* Voted YES on expanding trade to the third world. (May 2000)
* Voted YES on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority. (Nov 1997)
* Voted YES on imposing trade sanctions on Japan for closed market. (May 1995)

Fred Thompson on Government Reform
Click here for 7 full quotes on Government Reform OR background on Government Reform.

* Voted YES on banning "soft money" contributions and restricting issue ads. (Mar 2002)
* Voted YES on require photo ID (not just signature) for voter registration. (Feb 2002)
* Voted YES on banning campaign donations from unions & corporations. (Apr 2001)
* Voted YES on funding for National Endowment for the Arts. (Aug 1999)
* Voted YES on favoring 1997 McCain-Feingold overhaul of campaign finance. (Oct 1997)
* Voted YES on Approving the presidential line-item veto. (Mar 1996)
* Voted NO on banning more types of Congressional gifts. (Jul 1995)

Fred Thompson on Gun Control
Click here for 4 full quotes on Gun Control OR background on Gun Control.

* Voted NO on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
* Voted NO on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)
* Voted YES on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
* Voted YES on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul 1998)

Fred Thompson on Health Care
Click here for 8 full quotes on Health Care OR background on Health Care.

* Voted NO on allowing reimportation of Rx drugs from Canada. (Jul 2002)
* Voted NO on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages. (Jun 2001)
* Voted YES on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001)
* Voted NO on including prescription drugs under Medicare. (Jun 2000)
* Voted YES on limiting self-employment health deduction. (Jul 1999)
* Voted NO on increasing tobacco restrictions. (Jun 1998)
* Voted YES on Medicare means-testing. (Jun 1997)
* Voted NO on medical savings acounts. (Apr 1996)

Fred Thompson on Homeland Security
Click here for 10 full quotes on Homeland Security OR background on Homeland Security.

* Voted NO on adopting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. (Oct 1999)
* Voted YES on allowing another round of military base closures. (May 1999)
* Voted YES on cutting nuclear weapons below START levels. (May 1999)
* Voted YES on deploying National Missile Defense ASAP. (Mar 1999)
* Voted YES on military pay raise of 4.8%. (Feb 1999)
* Voted NO on prohibiting same-sex basic training. (Jun 1998)
* Voted YES on favoring 36 vetoed military projects. (Oct 1997)
* Voted NO on banning chemical weapons. (Apr 1997)
* Voted YES on considering deploying NMD, and amending ABM Treaty. (Jun 1996)
* Voted YES on 1996 Defense Appropriations. (Sep 1995)

Fred Thompson on Immigration
Click here for 3 full quotes on Immigration OR background on Immigration.

* Voted YES on allowing more foreign workers into the US for farm work. (Jul 1998)
* Voted YES on visas for skilled workers. (May 1998)
* Voted YES on limit welfare for immigrants. (Jun 1997)

Fred Thompson on Jobs
Click here for 4 full quotes on Jobs OR background on Jobs.

* Voted YES on repealing Clinton's ergonomic rules on repetitive stress. (Mar 2001)
* Voted YES on killing an increase in the minimum wage. (Nov 1999)
* Voted YES on allowing workers to choose between overtime & comp-time. (May 1997)
* Voted YES on replacing farm price supports. (Feb 1996)

Fred Thompson on Principles & Values
Click here for the full quote on Principles & Values OR background on Principles & Values.

* Religious affiliation: Protestant. (Nov 2000)

Fred Thompson on Social Security
Click here for 4 full quotes on Social Security OR background on Social Security.

* Voted YES on Social Security Lockbox & limiting national debt. (Apr 1999)
* Voted YES on allowing Roth IRAs for retirees. (May 1998)
* Voted YES on allowing personal retirement accounts. (Apr 1998)
* Voted YES on deducting Social Security payments on income taxes. (May 1996)

Fred Thompson on Tax Reform
Click here for 5 full quotes on Tax Reform OR background on Tax Reform.

* Voted NO on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates. (May 2001)
* Voted NO on increasing tax deductions for college tuition. (May 2001)
* Voted YES on eliminating the 'marriage penalty'. (Jul 2000)
* Voted YES on across-the-board spending cut. (Oct 1999)
* Voted YES on requiring super-majority for raising taxes. (Apr 1998)

Fred Thompson on Technology
Click here for 2 full quotes on Technology OR background on Technology.

* Voted YES on Internet sales tax moratorium. (Oct 1998)
* Voted YES on telecomm deregulation. (Feb 1996)

Fred Thompson on War & Peace
Click here for 6 full quotes on War & Peace OR background on War & Peace.

* Voted YES on authorizing use of military force against Iraq. (Oct 2002)
* Voted YES on allowing all necessary force in Kosovo. (May 1999)
* Voted NO on authorizing air strikes in Kosovo. (Mar 1999)
* Voted YES on ending the Bosnian arms embargo. (Jul 1995)
* Condemns anti-Muslim bigotry in name of anti-terrorism. (Oct 2001)
* Move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. (Nov 1995)

Fred Thompson on Welfare & Poverty
Click here for 4 full quotes on Welfare & Poverty OR background on Welfare & Poverty.

* Voted YES on welfare block grants. (Aug 1996)
* Voted NO on eliminating block grants for food stamps. (Jul 1996)
* Voted YES on allowing state welfare waivers. (Jul 1996)
* Voted YES on welfare overhaul. (Sep 1995)

[Clara Lou]

IMO, he's overall the best of the bunch.

[wodinoneeye]

from http://www.imao.us/

---

Frank Facts About Fred Thompson

It's sounding more and more likely that Fred Thompson will run for the Republican nomination for President. Can he win, though, when it's well known that his penchant for bureaucracy nearly kept Bruce Willis and Clint Eastwood from getting the job done against terrorists and assassins?

I think he can.

Actually, the more I find out about Fred Thompson, the more I think he needs to be President. And I mean he should be President right now, like Dick Cheney should resign, President Bush should then appoint Fred Thompson to be Vice-President, and then President Bush should resign.

Do you think I'm going overboard when I've only just started to learn about Fred Thompson, but you won't when you read this:

AWESOME FACTS ABOUT FRED THOMPSON

* Fred Thompson has on multiple occasions pronounced "nuclear" correctly.

* Fred Thompson has blasted more people in the face with a shotgun than even Dick Cheney.

He's Fred Thompson. You're nothing.
* The masked executioner of Saddam Hussein: Fred Thompson.
* Not only does Fred Thompson cut taxes, he cuts tax collectors.

* Fred Thompson is the only person to have ever bested Miyamato Mushashi in a duel. The reason Musashi is so vague about the book of the void is because the fifth ring of combat is really Fred Thompson.

* The reason Fred Thompson didn't want to stay in the Senate for long is because all the extra scrutiny kept him from doing his favorite hobby: Prowling the streets at night killing drug dealers.

* Every night before going to sleep, Osama bin Laden checks under his bed for Fred Thompson.

....


You can read the rest there on that page.

I was highly amused....

[ilja]

And yet still I’m supporting him. Imagine that.

[ilja]

It’s because they are scared to death of him VanDeKoik.

[dixiechick2000]

Thank you for bumping this thread.

Now I see what I was missing all of those months while I was away.

So, as it turns out, I didn’t miss a whole lot...just some folks who didn’t have a clue about where they were hanging their hat, so to speak.

I hope they are all happy in their relatively new environs.