Posted on 07/11/2007 6:46:44 AM PDT by jbonham76
The Brody File has come up with a few interesting quotes from Fred Thompson's past.
First off, it appears Thompson wasn't a big fan of the GOP having any sort of platform back in 1996. In April of 1996, this is what The Memphis Commercial Appeal wrote: Thompson wants to change the way the 1996 Republican National Convention is conducted. For starters, he wants to abolish the party platform - just toss the archaic thing away. 'It's the most useless device I've ever heard of,' Thompson said during a recent visit to Memphis."
Thompson also said this in a separate article from April of 1996:
Thompson: "Does Anyone Remember What Was In The Last , Except Abortion? … If We Get Caught Up In Having A Platform Debate And Stuff Like That, We Deserve To Lose."
In August of that same year, Thompson called abortion a "distracting issue." Read below from an Associated Press article:
U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson says he seldom hears about abortion in campaign travels throughout Tennessee and hopes the issue is downplayed at the Republican National Convention. The Tennessee Republican, a pro-choice defender in a party with an anti-abortion tilt, is preparing for next week's convention in San Diego. He said the party must avoid distracting issues and focus on electing Bob Dole as president. 'We need to concentrate on what brings us together and not what divides us,' Thompson said in an interview with The Tennessean published Tuesday.
Later in that same 1996 AP article came this part: In 1996, Thompson Said Republican Ideals Don't Need To Be Written Down Into Platform. "Thompson said he opposes making early-term abortions a crime, as some Republicans would like to do with a constitutional amendment. 'But I don't think you should bolt on one issue. I'm still not convinced platforms are a good idea. We know what we believe in and I don't think we need to write it all down in a document,' Thompson said.
So what are we to make of all of this?
On the GOP platform, I would think there are a great number of Republicans who believe the platform is very important because it stands for the principals the party unites behind. But as Thompson says, I'm sure there are those who think the document is a big waste of time.
On the abortion issue, it seems pretty clear that Thompson felt abortion was more of a distraction to the party. You get the sense that he saw it as divisive and something to avoid or downplay at the convention. Pro-lifers will take issue with that. I know Thompson's defenders will point to his stellar pro-life record in the Senate.
Fair enough. But be warned FDT fans: The other campaigns will be gunning for your guy. I don't think Romney or Giuliani will do it publicly. They have their own abortion issues to deal with. Instead, expect a stealth campaign where stories "pop up" about Thompson's past musings on this issue. They know he's a threat. They'll go after his past. Comments?
You are so right. Talk about a GOP campaign phrase....
The question in my mind is how many really matter.
Look at his votes on abortion.
His record is 100% pro-life. You’re simply lying.
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Stories such as this one, perhaps?
I think he’s taking a lot of people for a ride.
1) Platforms are trash. Most of the time they’re full of pretty (meaningless) language designed to lure in voters. After the general election, most of it is forgotten by the politicians.
2) Can’t wait for the out-of-context distortion of FDT’s comment on the abortion issue by the usuals.
3) I wonder how much digging time it took to find this?
Perot was only a factor in the 1992 race between Clinton and Bush. In the 96 race had Perot not been in the race and all of his votes went to Dole, Dole still would have lost.
Is he?
Any pro-choice libertarian would have voted the same way Thompson did in the senate. They also would have made the same comments Thompson has while campaigning.
I guess the guy was talking about you with the “stealth campaign” seeing how you have posted to nothing but Romney threads in the past two weeks.
Nothing like being an obvious shill.
Amen.
Ironic that one of the rabid Mitt worshipers posted this article :)
The federal government has generally intruded into state and personal matters. The constitution clearly sets out the area of concerns for the congress, senate and supreme cort as well as the executive. Through the weird and overly broad interpretations of the “general welfare clause” and “regulate interstate commerce” the government has grown out of control.
Even the requirement to conduct a enumeration of the population for purposes of setting the Numbers of electors has been turned into 45 page booklets that pry into every matter of personal information.
I want a true federalist and conservative elected. I trust Fred will do.
The federal government has generally intruded into state and personal matters. The constitution clearly sets out the area of concerns for the congress, senate and supreme Court as well as the executive. Through the weird and overly broad interpretations of the “general welfare clause” and “regulate interstate commerce” the government has grown out of control.
Even the requirement to conduct a enumeration of the population for purposes of setting the Numbers of electors has been turned into 45 page booklets that pry into every matter of personal information.
I want a true federalist and conservative elected. I trust Fred will do.
You seem only interested in dirt that has no basis except, "is he?"
Romney on the other hand, has taken hits on the abortion issue and every other issue. He has been on all sides of all issues. He is a phony. Anyone can see it. Fred doesn’t come across that way.
Fred comes across as someone who didn’t really pay attention to abortion, it just wasn’t on his radar.
Oh and the Romney campaign has been the one smearing Thompson. That is one creepy campaign they have there.
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jbonham is a Romney supporter, I believe. Considering Romney's recent conversion to the pro-life camp, one would think his fans wouldn't be bringing up the issue with regard to Fred.
Honestly a libertarian in the Neal Boortz vein (NOT the Ron Paul or Harry Browne type) could probably do this country some good right now...
National Right to Life rating of 100%, Planned parent Hood rating of 0% does not a pro choice stance make.
Uhhhh, Perot was in 92 not 96. Care to try again?
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