The Plan to Take Down Fred Thompson (Drudge Title)

The politico via Drudge Report ^ | June 13, 2007 | Kenneth P. Vogel

[RDTF]

Fred Thompson has had a relatively easy ride as he has flirted with a bid for the Republican presidential nomination. His strategists have found traction promoting him as the heir to Ronald Reagan -- and a conservative alternative to the top tier of the GOP field.

But the ride is starting to get a bit bumpy.

Opponents and their researchers have begun working -- mostly behind the scenes -- to highlight perceived soft spots in his conservative bona fides.

And Thompson will have to neutralize questions on the campaign trail and in the media about his centrist votes in the Senate, his stances on litmus test conservative issues including abortion and -- perhaps most significantly -- his work as a lawyer and lobbyist.

Thompson's biggest challenge will likely be cementing his image as a conservative country lawyer fixin' to shake up Washington -- before his opponents brand him as an influence peddler and trial lawyer.

[rhombus]

Oh good a conspiracy to get people worked up. ;-)

[kenth]

Fred may have soft spots in his conservative track record, but Giuliani is a pile of goo. McCain is an insane pile of goo.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

McCain’s still looking for the missing strawberries.

[Bobbisox]

If there is something out there...let them bring it forward now so it can be dealt with. You have three top tier candidates...they all know Thompson will sink their runs. I am a happy FredHead...so bring it on boys!

[Mrs.Z]

Romney is starting a “faith and values” steering committee to try and attack Thompson in this percieved soft spot.

Any southern conservative is better than a NE liberal/switch to “conservative” RINO.

[ElectricStrawberry]

Soft spot?

Co-sponsoring McCain-Feingold, with 1A rights infringing blackout periods, is a big fat soft spot.....but shhhhhh.....I’m not supposed to be pointing that out.

[JimVT]

ENSIGN PULVER, REPORT TO THE CAPTAIN, ON THE DOUBLE!

[xsmommy]

who is your candidate?

[jwparkerjr]

Hey, if I’m willing to overlook all the BS with Rudy’s various stands and background I can certainly stomach Fred Thompson!

I can’t think of anything off hand that would turn me against him.

Run, Fred, run!

[TLI]

McCain is an insane pile of goo.

Right, we are going to not consider Fred when we have such a lovely choice as little johnny...

Bye-bye Johnny!

[SoFloFreeper]

Fred may have soft spots in his conservative track record, but Giuliani is a pile of goo. McCain is an insane pile of goo.

LOL!!!

[zerosix]

"Fred may have soft spots in his conservative track record, but Giuliani is a pile of goo. McCain is an insane pile of goo"........and Romney keeps moving his piles of goo from room to room, claiming "recent conversions to the conservative positions" desired by the base.

[alicewonders]

I’m going to be watching Fred to see how he handles “heat”. Our next President is going to need asbestos underwear - I hope Fred’s got the cajones for it - because from what I can see - he is our only hope to win the office.

[Ingtar]

Co-sponsoring McCain-Feingold, with 1A rights infringing blackout periods, is a big fat soft spot.....but shhhhhh.....I’m not supposed to be pointing that out.

You can point it out all you want to. However, the other "top tier" candidates cannot as they are all on the record as being for it before they were against it also.

[LibertarianInExile]

The simple OnTheIssues chart above doesn't prove to you he's a solid moderate? How about Fred's own answers on a Vote-Smart questionaire, per http://www.vote-smart.org/npat.php?can_id=22003 ?

Y-Abortions should be legal in all circumstances as long as the procedure is completed within the first trimester of the pregnancy.

Undecided-5. If elected to Congress, will you support an increase in the minimum wage?

(he did end up voting for a minimum wage increase)

Spending Priorities
1. Please indicate the changes you will support (if any) concerning the level of funding for each of the listed issue areas.
Slightly Increase-National Defense
Slightly Increase-Law Enforcement
Slightly Increase-International Drug Interdiction
Slightly Decrease-Federal Health Care Programs
Slightly Decrease-AIDS Research
Slightly Decrease-Job Re-training Programs
Maintain Status-Infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc.)
Maintain Status-Public Education
Slightly Decrease-Foreign Aid
Maintain Status-Environmental Clean Up and Enforcement
Taxes
2. Please indicate the changes you will support (if any) concerning the tax levels for each of the listed categories.
Slightly Decrease-Capital Gains Taxes
Slightly Decrease-Cigarette Taxes
Maintain Status-Alcohol Taxes
Slightly Decrease-Taxes on Social Security Benefits Received by Retirees Earning More than $40,000
Slightly Decrease-Income Taxes on Families Earning Less than $140,000
Slightly Decrease-Income Taxes on Families Earning $140,000 or More
Slightly Decrease-Value-Added Taxes on U.S. Businesses
Slightly Decrease-Taxes on Foreign Companies in the United States
Eliminate-Tax on savings and investment.

(it's well known, of course, that conservatives want to SLIGHTLY DECREASE taxes, and SLIGHTLY DECREASE the size of government, or to MAINTAIN ITS STATUS)

[weegee]

This "article" from the Politico blog is notable shy on identifying just which party is doing the bulk of the opposition research...

Expect conservative groups and rivals to emphasize Thompson's support for the bill, even calling it "McCain-Feingold-Thompson."

Reminds me of Moby's Marching Morons who would bring up "issues" online in a conservative voice to weaken support. Like attacking candidate GW Bush over abortion when the one doing the "exposure" actually supports abortion and is trying tank the candidate (.e.g. GW Bush) among conservatives.

[trisham]

Fred may have soft spots in his conservative track record, but Giuliani is a pile of goo. McCain is an insane pile of goo.

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

LOL!

[TomGuy]

FThompson seems to be the GOP star value candidate in much the same manner that HClinton is the Dem star value candidate.

Many of those jumping on the FThompson bandwagon seem to be projecting what they want Thompson to be, not what his record shows him to be.

Leopards don't change their spots. And just become someone gets voted into office does not mean he/she will be other that who they have been. Case in point: GWBush who ran on the conservative mantra, but after being elected to his second and final term, turned into a bigger globalist than his Daddy.

I have heard FThompson in several interviews point out what the problems are. I have yet to hear him give any substantial content on how he would go about solving them. [Of course, his bots run out and post what they think he would or would not do -- but I want to hear it from Fred, not from a Freddiebot spinmeister.]

[perfect_rovian_storm]

So, in other words, the BS that trolls have been peddling on here is as good as they've got. Doesn't work here and won't work anywhere else.

Thompson made nearly $1.3 million over about two decades

THIS is what they've got? LOL Big time rich lobbyist! Averages out to $65k a year!