Posted on 03/23/2007 11:15:31 AM PDT by quidnunc
The latest issue of NR includes a rundown of possible Bush running mates. In passing, it mentions that Senator Fred Thompson, the Tennessee Republican, has the drawback of being pro-choice. His office called today to say that Thompson is actually pro-life.
Thompson has certainly voted with pro-lifers almost all the time. The National Right to Life Committee counts votes for John McCain-style campaign-finance reform, which Thompson supports, as anti-pro-life votes, but otherwise he's been solid. The senator voted against the Harkin amendment, which put the Senate on record favoring Roe v. Wade. But when Thompson ran for Senate in 1994, he did so as a supporter of legal abortion, as several press clips from the time pointed out. NR has also obtained a copy of a letter Thompson sent to a constituent in 1997, which notes that Thompson supports various restrictions on abortion but also includes the line, "I believe that government should not interfere with individual convictions and actions in this area."
The upshot: Thompson is an ally of pro-lifers in all the actual fights that come up, but he's not one of them on the core issue. Unless, that is, he has changed his mind, as suggested by his current self-description as a pro-lifer. In that case, NR would be more than happy to print a correction — and welcome him aboard.
There seems to be a whole heap o' flip-flopping goin' on all over the place.
'Pears to me that that good o' boy Fred was playin' both ends 'gainst the middle, don'cha know.
He hasn't flip-flopped with his votes in the Senate.
ruh-roh
People in Tennessee disagree.
"According to information from the American Spectator Blog's Philip Klein, the co-director of the National Right to Life Committee spoke to Fred Thompson when he originally ran for Senate in Tennessee. Her determination at the time was that Thompson was pro-life.
Here's a clip:
"I interviewed him and on all of the questions I asked him, he opposed abortion," St. Martin (currently NRLC co-director) said. She told me that the group went on to support him in that election, and his record reinforced for her that their determination was correct.
"He has a consistent voting record that is pro-life," she said.
http://redstate.com/stories/elections/2008/amspec_breaks_news_on_thompson_and_the_life_issue
Thompson has stated recently that he would work to rescind CFR.
Nice try at spin.
Thomspon changed while he was still in office - and his votes reflect that. His change in views had an impact on legislation.
Romney changed when he was no longer running. His change had no impact on legislation - just his chances of gaining the GOP nod.
But it's not unusual for RINO supporters to twist the truth to make their favorites look better.
I've defended Romney's conversion.
Looks like Fred never to convert.
Instead of citing a source, why don't you post the ACTUAL Senate statement of Thompson's?
Same as before: Every man has the right to change his mind on abortion. Romney, Fred, etc.
Not anymore - he said it's been a failure. He's actually gone to saying he might support no limits but with full disclosure.
Not only do democrats fear him but also some Republicats as well.
FEAR THE FRED!
"Thompson has certainly voted with pro-lifers almost all the time."
Can't say the same for Mitt, but thanks for playing!
He has been consistently pro-life since entering the Senate. And maintains he's pro-life now.
I've never said anything about Romney. But Romney's conversion is more suspect because it's more recent. Does that mean it's inauthentic? No, but Fred's been consistent for ten solid years.
Although, frankly, he is the candidate that looks more like an actual rhinosourous than anyone I've ever seen...
Thompson has been solidly pro-life since about 1996.
Support Frederalism!
Duncan Hunter hasn't flip-flopped on the issue. He's pro-life. Period. No smoke, no mirrors. He figured out a long, long time ago that abortion is murder.
In other words, he's flip-flopped on campaign finance too.
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