Posted on 03/27/2007 6:39:50 AM PDT by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com ...
So, veronica - do you find Fred supporting McCain-Feingold to be a big deal?
I'd love to see him get into the Race.
At least we'd have another Conservative to choose from instead of another Liberal in Conservative clothing.
Thompson seems to have seen the light on this, and says he is now against it.
I know I would like to know more about the investigations of the Asia fundraising scandal and Thompson's role.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1805040/posts
Sen. Fred Thompson's Campaign Finance Investigation Riles His Own Party
I would as well. However, I think Fred might have also had good reasons for his actions - some folks tried to make a big deal out of Fred voting against one of the articles of impeachment, but after Fred made his case, he clearly was in the right.
I do think it's amusing that some FReepers see him as their savior, when in fact he's two things some FReepers hate, an actor and a lawyer.
Very true. Which is why I would like to know more.
Thompson has already stated that MCCain-Feingold has been a failure, and would not do it again. Rudy Giuliani also supported McCain-Feingold.
THE MOST APPEALING THING TO ME ABOUT THOMPSON,ASIDE FROM HIS SOLID STANCE AGAINST GUN CONTROL IS THE FACT THAT HE SERVED IN THE SENATE AND THEN WENT BACK TO THE CAREER HE WAS IN,INSTEAD OF BECOMING A CAREERIST POLITICIAN AHEN HE COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY RE ELECTED-THOMPSON SEEMS TO HAVE COMMON SENSE ALSO,A RARE COMMODITY AMONG POLITICAL CANDIDATES THESE DAYS.
So you are willing to forgive a former position by a candidate, if he changes his mind or sees the light. Any one of them, or just Fred??
The Times exists to elect Hillary.
History, so cool and not so far away.
Thompson in the race will raise the level of the discourse, if nothing else.
But with all the conservatives, I like to play the game, "Where were they in July 2001?" Rudy was on his way out with a "Thank you, very much, but let the doorknob hit you in the *ss." and McCain was in the middle of a Recall Election (which wasn't a sure-thing for him).
TS
All candidates have imperfections. You have to look at all candidates and evaluate them. Right now Fred is the most appealing as any that has a real shot.
Fred Ping
On their tippy toes reaching.
This is just the opening volley, in what may prove to be one of the more vitriolic exchanges in coming months about any candidate for the US Presidency.
Not that Fred Thompson is that controversial, but that he so neatly falls into a place where only a few people could find much fault. To make up for this seeming lack, those few who are really brought to a boil by the Senator's potential re-entry into political circles, will be really loud and highly extreme in their charges and countercharges.
Some Republicans may not want Thompson in the race, but WAY more Dem'crats would not want him in either. There are several Republican candidates who could manage a victory over ANYBODY the Dem'crats could put up, but Fred Thompson has that grandfatherly appeal that served Eisenhower and Reagan so well. Call it gravitas, or respectability, or whatever, it is broadly appealing to a LOT of Americans.
Besides, the two leading candidates ahead of Fred still support the CFR bill. So the fact that Fred now speaks against it is a plus in comparison, and this is one of the biggest negatives against Fred.
You did not answer my question - do you find serious fault with Fred supporting CFR?
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