Thompson has an ACU rating of 86, Hunter is at (I think) 92. Thompson IS a conservative. Its those who think he isn’t who are in fantasyland, especially if they believe the ridiculous crapola dished out in this poorly written idiotic leftist article.
McCain has an ACU Rating of 83.So Thompson is rated slightly more conservative than McCain.
I don’t concern myself too much with the ACU ratings. They only tabulate the votes a person makes. Thompson may very well vote on the conservative side most often. I don’t disagree with that, most repubs do. What I am most concerned with is his willingness to fight for conservative issues. Is there a history of him laying his reputation and political career on the line fighting for conservative causes near and dear to him? Like abortion? Tax reform or tax cuts? WOT? Strong military? Has he been out front on these or anything? Has he displayed passion for any conservative issues as a senator or at any other position?
Too many republicans can mouth the conservative message. They know all the right words to say but when it comes down to crunch time, they fold like a cheap suit. And that is my main concern with Fred Thompson. Eveyone says he is a conservative. Where is the proof?
How is Thompson on trade? Do you think he is a secret CFR, NAU “conservative”? Look at other “conservatives” such as Lindsey Graham, Brownback, Orrin Hatch and oh yes ...George W.
There are lots of “conservatives” who will go along with what the base wants because they know what they have to say to get elected, but what about free trade, illegal immigration, and sovereignty? Some of our “conservatives” have sold their souls to big money. It pains me to say this but it is true.
Oh, geesh. Not this again.
Since you cite his ACU rating to "prove" he is a conservative, here are some lifetime ACU ratings from various politicians. In order of most conservative to least conservative:
JOHN KYL (R-AZ) 96.9
CHRIS CANNON (R-UT) 96.3
JEFF FLAKE (R-AZ) 94.7
SAXBY CHAMBLISS (R-GA) 94.4
SAM BROWNBACK (R-KS) 94.0
LARRY CRAIG (R-ID) 93.4
TRENT LOTT (R-MS) 92.4
WALTER JONES JR. (R-NC) 91.9
LIDDY DOLE (D-NC) 91.0
LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-SC) 90.6
MEL MARTINEZ (R-FL) 90.0
ORRIN HATCH (R-UT) 89.9
MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY) 89.7
JEAN SCHMIDT (R-OH) 87.8
BILL FRIST (R-TN) 87.8
RANDY KUHL (R-NY) 87.5
JERRY WELLER (R-IL) 86.4
CHUCK HAGEL (R-NE) 86.2
What do those politicians all have in common? They've all been denounced as RINOs, traitors, sellouts, unworthy to hold public office, given nicknames like "Brokeback", "Goober", "McCain's VP", and had freepers proclaiming that these guys are soooo awful that we should vote for the RAT in the general election if they make it through the primary. And every single one of them has a lifetime record of supporting the conservative position MORE often than their hero Fred does.
A few of these politicians have been pissed off freepers because they are gutless types who let the Dems run circles around them (Lott, Dole, etc.) Many of them (Kyl, Chambliss) are subject to nothing but bitter gutter level attacks because they voted the wrong way on ONE bill and it's someone's pet issue. Ususally this is amnesty for illegal aliens, which is rather odd since the same people who want to lynch Kyl for that don't seem to have a problem with the fact Fred Thompson has given support to amnesty in the past. If you bring it up, they're either say you're "lying" and Fred was only trying to help "legal" immigrants (no matter how many times you show them the word ILLEGAL to describe the aliens that Fred supported "aspirations of citizenship" for), or they'll "hey Fred didn't vote to give 20 million amnesty, it was only 1 million", as if rewarding people for breaking the law is OK as long as it's not blanket amnesty. A couple other politicians denounced as "RINOs" here simply rub people the wrong way, like Jean Schmidt. Or, there voting record is solidly conservative, but they're friends with McCain. According to the Fredheads, being McCain's buddy and supporting his legislation is automatic grounds to make you a RINO... unless of course your name is Fred Thompson.
Most of the Fredheads who keep pointing out that "nobody's perfect" and "Reagan said a person who agrees with me 80% of the time is not my enemy" have no problem screaming "RINO" at people who agree with them 90% of the time and some even stoop to backing the Democrat if they don't get their way in the primary.
Either an 85% ACU rating makes a person a reliable conservative or it doesn't. To say Fred's 86% rating is proof that he's Reaganesque but Graham's 91% rating makes him a traitor is total bull. They get those ratings for a reason. Whether the Fredheads like it or not, Graham's record is simular to Fred's on just about every issue, but Graham HAS voted slightly to the right of Fred on several important bills, including the defense of marriage amendment and the Clinton impeachment.
I have no interest in the Fredhead hypocrites definition of Fred's "true conservativism" by his congressional ratings, as long as the Fredheads break their own rules of thrsehold of a "true conservative"
If you believe anyone with an 85% conservative rating is a fairly acceptable conservative, take it up with your fellow Fredheads. When they stop their blantant hypocrisy, I'll take them seriously.