Fred Thompson’s Record

NY Times ^ | March 26, 2007 | Carl Hulse

[veronica]

With former Senator Fred Thompson pondering a bid for the Republican presidential nomination, the hunt is on to see if he has his conservative credentials in order or whether there might be some moderation lurking in his voting past.

Mr. Thompson, the Tennessee lawyer turned actor turned senator turned actor again, is getting a lot of attention in Republican circles.

That is especially so among conservatives, who are debating whether he would be more ideologically appealing to them than the three leading Republican candidates, Senator John McCain of Arizona, former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani of New York and former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts.

Mr. Thompson compiled a record in the Senate that included votes against same-sex marriage and other gay rights proposals, consistent opposition to gun control and support of a ban on late-term abortions. He scored generally high marks from conservative groups.

But he was also a supporter of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance bill, opposed by most conservatives. A former trial lawyer, Mr. Thompson opposed some of the changes sought by Republicans to protect businesses from lawsuits.

[BobS]

You can add me to your Fred Thompson ping list. I'll vote for him. Those other guys are good in specific categories. I just like him from watching him over the years on C-SPAN and his choice of acting contracts.

I'm confident that his wife still has her professional clothes to wear and not just loose blouses like they wear in CA. Those are distracting ones.

[BobS]

W is very comfy talking in front of and with very big crowds. Talking at cameras seems to bore him. He won't change for anybody anytime soon. He is who he is.

Thompson knows what to do with cameras to get his message across. Let's see what he does with crowds.

You know, actresses and actors don't run around with makeup on when they're not working or have to do something. Or shave. They do not look like how you see them on TV or movies. Jeans and sneakers walking around the mall in plain sight. They don't want to be bugged while shopping.

[jellybean]

I'm going to have to read that at least 3 more times before it all sinks in.

I've read it 3 or 4 times and it still hasn't all sunk in. :)

[jellybean]

You can add me to your Fred Thompson ping list.

I'll be happy to add you. :)

[SE Mom]

WOW- I just finished reading the link you provided jb- excellent!

[jbopinionated]

That would depend on the issue the person held the position on, and if the persons record is one that would make me believe I could truly believe they had changed.
ex:
If a Clinton changed on something, I would call it political flip flopping. But if Newt Gingrich changed his position, there would be valid reason to believe it.