Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
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Posted on 08/23/2007 4:28:18 PM PDT by pissant
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Likely Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson is making his first trip to Iowa today in what could be a precursor to announcing an official candidacy. However, the Thompson camp is confronting a new report showing two sets of position papers on abortion in his Senate archives.
ABC News combed through the archives of papers Thompson made available to the University of Tennessee after representing the state in the U.S. Senate.
It found two one-page papers from 1996 discussing Thompson's abortion position that appear to paint the senator in the best light when his record is described to either side of the abortion debate.
The pro-life version includes a presentation of Thompson's pro-life voting record and details seven votes against taxpayer-funded abortions and one supporting the ban on partial-birth abortions.
It includes the following explanation of his position:
"Senator Thompson has a strong pro-life voting record in the Senate. He has consistently voted against federal funding of abortion ... In addition, he voted for legislation that would ban partial-birth abortions. He supports states' efforts to place restrictions on abortion, such as parental notification and 48-hour waiting periods."
"Beyond that, Senator Thompson has said that the federal government should not be involved in the issue of abortion. He does not believe that early-term abortions should be criminalized, but feels instead that this is a battle that must be won in the hearts and minds of the American people."
The pro-abortion version contains nearly identical language, but omits the list of pro-life votes and the language concerning his "pro-life voting record."
The pro-life version contains a handwritten notation "pro-life" in the corner and the pro-abortion version contained a "pro-choice" notation.
ABC News asked Thompson representative Linda Rozett for a comment.
"These papers show Sen. Thompson's position on abortion is clear and consistent. He has a 100 percent pro-life voting record in the Senate," she said.
Despite the eleven-year-old papers, Thompson has aggressively promoted a pro-life position as a potential candidate for president, repeatedly saying he favors overturning Roe v. Wade and appointing judges who would be more likely to do so.
He has also said he opposes forcing taxpayers to fund embryonic stem cell research.
Asked about the papers and whether they would cause pro-life advocates to abandon Thompson, Kim Lehman, president of the Iowa Right to Life Committee, told ABC News that she "has no concerns" about where Thompson stands.
She said Thompson's "voting record is what we look to determine whether or not what he says is what he's going to do.
"He has a record and his record speaks for itself. As for this documentation, I would be speculating as to what it means," she added. "But the reality is he's pro-life and will be pro-life and we can count on him to be pro-life. I believe the man."
David O'Steen, executive director of the National Right to Life Committee, also talked with ABC News and said there no indication on the papers as to who wrote them and whether they accurately represent where Thompson stood then or now is questionable.
Yeah, I always get a good laugh when I get the vapors.
SO CAN WE ALL AGREE, THAT FRED IS PRO-LIFE?
ping
This is such BS. If you elect Thompson you will get a pro life President. That is reality. Hilary is 100% pro abortion. Yet the media will try to convince pro life voters - who the media despise - that Thompson is not on their side because of friggin eleven year old position papers describing each side of the issue? Don’t fall for it.
True, the one for pro choice voters tries to be as sympathetic as possible, but that's not very sympathetic.
I’ve found the most effective tactic with some people is simply to tell them that if FRED! is indeed prochoice, well he is the kind of prochoice candidate I can vote for. If a “prochoicer” can get a 100% approval rating from the National Right to Life Committee, he’s prolife enough for me.
When it comes to FredT, you’re always trying to make nothing, or next to nothing, into something.
Still a sour grapes Duncanista.
GO FRed GO!
Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
WARNING: If you want to join, be aware that this ping list is EXTREMELY active.
gasp!
Uh... am I missing something?
The title suggested they had a story.
I guess not.
Where the rubber meets the road Fred has always been Pro Life...
Next Topic...
FRed is not a conservative at all...this story proves it once and for all....flip-flopper over the issue of Abortion
Duncan Hunter ‘08!!!
Saying that early term abortions shouldn’t be criminalized when they account for more than 90% of all abortions isn’t exactly pro-life either.
Read much?
And saying he opposes a constitutional amendment protecting life is not exactly a strident pro-life position. Just more nuance from the master.
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