Posted on 06/11/2007 9:42:53 AM PDT by Politicalmom
When Fred Thompson officially gets into the 2008 presidential race, he’s going to have to answer certain questions on abortion more specifically. There are a few instances in the 1990’s that critics are going to concentrate on where they may try and trip him up. I don’t think it’s going to work. Here’s a small clip from an article from The Tennessean Newspaper:
Imminent 2008 presidential candidate Fred Thompson is positioning himself as a new hope for social conservatives who are unhappy with the current field of 10 Republicans.
But his answers on past surveys indicate he has previously taken positions that could be viewed as tolerating abortion.
Documents The Tennessean located last week in Thompson's Senate archive at the University of Tennessee show:
• On a 1996 Christian Coalition survey, he checked "opposed" to an amendment to the U.S. Constitution "protecting the sanctity of human life."
• He included a handwritten clarification: "I do not believe abortion should be criminalized. This battle will be won in the hearts and souls of the American people."
• In 1996, asked by the Memphis group FLARE (Family, Life, America, Responsible Education Under God Inc.) if human life begins at conception, Thompson circled "N/A."
Those answers could complicate Thompson's standing with the Republican Party right wing, which has been bolstered by his seemingly reliable pro-life voting record.
Thompson and his small campaign staff say he has never supported abortion rights.
You can read more of this article here. I think at the end of the day these abortion incidents from the 1990’s probably don’t amount to much. Listen, the reality is Thompson was a 100% national Right to Life guy. His Planned Parenthood score was 0. Those numbers mean something. Was the pro-life cause his number one issue? No. Number two? No. On the list? Probably but not high. The social conservative leaders I’ve spoken to want to make sure the next President will be a reliable vote on the life issue. As long as he doesn’t go off the reservation, then there’s no problem. What I’m hearing is that Thompson is saying all the right things to certain religious leaders and they are taking to him. Watch for some notable names to get behind him by the end of the summer. Maybe before.
Rudy botz at work on Fred?
Time to post the “Aw jeez not this feces again!” guy.
Um... nope.
Answer: no. Next question?
Will Abortion be an Issue for Fred Thompson?
No. Next question please.
Fred has an excellent Pro Life record in the Senate.
Fred’s got them worried. They are out digging for dirt.
Every word he has ever said in his lifetime will be dug up.
Um...hate to say this, but he's right. It's a battle for the hearts and souls.
I heard he dated good looking women when he was single. And I also hear that he once got a speeding ticket.
I would think that he’s had enough time to figure out the best answer to use, to get the most votes.
Bingo!
It's also a battle for **lives**.
He also doesn't floss his teeth every morning.
I’ve been considering jumping on the Fred bandwagon for awhile, and I’m still thinking about it (currently in the Romney camp, more or less). Can anyone provide any clarity to what Sean Hannity stopped him from saying about abortion the other night after the debate? He seemed about to say something about “criminalizing women” but Sean cut him off.
If it’s an issue for others who have “changed their minds” it’s an issue for him.
• He included a handwritten clarification: “I do not believe abortion should be criminalized. This battle will be won in the hearts and souls of the American people.”
I agree with this. I don’t want our mothers, wives or daughters to be criminals. I don’t want abortions either or, government funded approvals.
This is a heart and soul issue, not a government one.
Nosehair. I heard he has nosehair issues..... [/sarc]
Fred may not be all that, but he sure a lot better than the current crop of contenders.
The tactic of the Rudy McRomney gang will be since no one has the perfect conservative record, no one should criticize their RINO tendencies.
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