Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Evangelicals turn on Thompson
Politico ^ | September 26, 2007 | Jonathan Martin

Posted on 09/26/2007 5:49:53 PM PDT by Canticle_of_Deborah

Thompson's refusal to back a nationwide ban on gay marriage has irritated potential supporters.

Fred Thompson is failing to meet expectations that he would rally widespread support from Christian conservatives, and he almost certainly will not receive a joint endorsement from the loose coalition of "pro-family" organizations, according to leaders of the movement.

Many religious conservatives, faced with a Republican primary top tier that lacked a true kindred spirit, initially looked to Thompson as a savior. But the former Tennessee senator has disappointed or just not sufficiently impressed the faith community since his formal campaign launch earlier this month.

While Christian conservatives once seemed willing to readily give Thompson the benefit of the doubt earlier this summer, when questions were raised about his lobbying for a pro-abortion-rights group, they are not willing to turn the other cheek anymore.

Even some on the religious right who remain sympathetic to Thompson are unhappy about his refusal to back a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, and were unpleasantly surprised by his confession that he doesn’t belong to or attend any church and won’t talk about his faith.

It was Thompson’s refusal to discuss his faith that is likely to deny him any unified backing from the organizations that comprise the Arlington Group, the umbrella coalition of almost every major social conservative group in the GOP constellation.

(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; arlingtongroup; christianvote; electionpresident; elections; evangelicals; fredthompson; homosexualagenda; rino; rinoalert; thompson
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 101-120121-140141-160 ... 461 next last
To: basil

ditto.


121 posted on 09/26/2007 7:18:48 PM PDT by ken21 ( people die + you never hear from them again.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Canticle_of_Deborah

This is the same rehashed storyline from last week and the week before. So far, its had zero effect on Fred`s campaign. Doubt that will change.

You Romneyites and Duncanista`s are really desperate.


122 posted on 09/26/2007 7:19:31 PM PDT by Reagan Man (FUHGETTABOUTIT Rudy....... Conservatives don't vote for liberals!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Beelzebubba

I regretted it the moment I clicked “post.” I apologize.

I should have said:


Which is why SOME female Freepers seem to love him do much.


123 posted on 09/26/2007 7:19:59 PM PDT by Atlas Sneezed ("We do have tough gun laws in Massachusetts; I support them, I won't chip away at them" -Mitt Romney)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 116 | View Replies]

To: Beelzebubba

Well, since it’s YOU, you’re forgiven. Heehee


124 posted on 09/26/2007 7:20:54 PM PDT by Politicalmom (Of the potential GOP front runners, FT has one of the better records on immigration.- NumbersUSA)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 123 | View Replies]

To: Beelzebubba

A rational question they won’t honestly answer.


125 posted on 09/26/2007 7:21:18 PM PDT by mgstarr ("Some of us drink because we're not poets." Arthur (1981))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 120 | View Replies]

To: Canticle_of_Deborah
these single-issues will not sway enough votes.

how many people are going to vote for a candidate simply due to their stance on gay marriage?

126 posted on 09/26/2007 7:22:14 PM PDT by thefactor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kingu

you are speaking out of vapor not legal facts.

Legislators passed laws and amendments long before the citizens.

We DO have the numbers.

You are dead wrong and your nit picking BS just points out the fact there is HUGE public support to protect marrige.

If this is in fact the official Fred Thompson position rather than some homosexual RINO talking point then Thompson has a problem he had better fix.

Thompson has a law degree. Even a first year lawyer knows the Federalism argument pushd by the effete elites is complete hogwash to protect their own Senator Craigs.


127 posted on 09/26/2007 7:22:20 PM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 118 | View Replies]

To: thefactor

the marriage issue is a litmust test the same way the second amendment is a litmus test.

It is an indicator of attitude on multiple issues.

If we can not trust Thompson on this simple legal fact, then we can not trust him on other issues.

It is also akin to immigration as a litmus test on border security.


128 posted on 09/26/2007 7:24:59 PM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 126 | View Replies]

To: Politicalmom; Beelzebubba
I think Willard is creepy.

I'll ditto that. The man looks (and acts) like a male version of a stepford wife. LOL!

129 posted on 09/26/2007 7:25:01 PM PDT by mollynme (cogito, ergo freepum)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 117 | View Replies]

To: A_Tradition_Continues; ASOC
Dobson's been around and writing since the 1970's; and he is reportedly good friends with Dr. Neil Clark Warren, founder of e-Harmony.com...

Don't think your prediction is particularly likely.

As far as the original article goes, it sounds like a hit piece trying to peel evangelicals off of the GOP bandwagon, much as Rahm Emmanuel's strategy of sending in "conservative-lite" Democrats into swing districts helped the Dems win Congress last election.

Full Disclosure: I don't listen to Bauer, the Moral Majority, or Dobson when choosing who to vote for.

Cheers!

130 posted on 09/26/2007 7:29:15 PM PDT by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 107 | View Replies]

To: mollynme

You know, I get the exact same vibes from him as I do from Clinton and Gingrich.


131 posted on 09/26/2007 7:32:32 PM PDT by Politicalmom (Of the potential GOP front runners, FT has one of the better records on immigration.- NumbersUSA)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 129 | View Replies]

To: NeoCaveman

Well, that wouldn’t surprise me.

Hey, I support Dobson’s right to peacefully assemble with like minded people to advocate in favor of a certain agenda. He has as much right as any atheist, libertarian, conservative or liberal to petition the government. As much as that annoys some people that christians have a say in the process.

As a social conservative I share much in common with the agenda he advocates on behalf of.

But I find his judgement in politics to be suspect after his staunch defense of Miers. And i find his backhanded cheap assault on Thompson to be beneath him. he doesn’t have to like him, but the talking points he gave didn’t come from his own lips. Nor did he have the courage to stand up and oppose him to his face. Instead he sends this E-Mail he KNEW, he’s a big boy after all, he KNEW would be leaked. Why? Because if Thompson ends up the nominee he has to save face and he’ll want a seat at the table.

In the end, I’ve looked at the field. Rudy and Romney are Liberals. McCain spits on conservatives. Newt has too much baggage, lack of self control and judgement, and has caved on healthcare and the environment. Hunter isn’t registering in the polls. that leaves thompson. A good enough conservative record I can support without feeling nauseated.

So Dobson can hold the opinion he wishes. And if it’s true he has joined with newt, best of luck. But this social conservative will not vote for newt anymore then I would Rudy, McCain, or Romney. I have my guy and the attack pieces aren’t making a dent. The only way to dent my suport is to provide a stronger conservative that can beat Rudy. Haven’t seen one on the horizon.


132 posted on 09/26/2007 7:32:48 PM PDT by Soul Seeker (A government that’s big enough to do everything for us is powerful enough to do anything to us.- F.T)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: mollynme; Beelzebubba
"The man looks (and acts) like a male version of a stepford wife." Image and video hosting by TinyPic
133 posted on 09/26/2007 7:32:55 PM PDT by ansel12 (Proud father of a 10th Mountain veteran. Proud son of a WWII vet. Proud brother of vets.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 129 | View Replies]

To: Canticle_of_Deborah

Not this evangelical.


134 posted on 09/26/2007 7:33:51 PM PDT by AD from SpringBay (We have the government we allow and deserve.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: longtermmemmory

McCain said that?? Whoa!


135 posted on 09/26/2007 7:34:57 PM PDT by pissant (Duncan Hunter: Warrior, Statesman, Conservative)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 114 | View Replies]

To: longtermmemmory
Identify 2/3rds of the states that have acted, through their legislature, to codify and protect marriage, amending their own constitutions, not through the ballot box, but through legislative session...

Right, they don't exist. So please stop the song and dance. I know as well as you do how the vast majority of Americans aren't even sure homosexual behavior should be legal. Much less the 60-70% who believe that marriage between two men or two women should /never/ be legal.

So, yeah, stick your fingers in your ears and go nah-nah-nah all you want, but the constitution is not the place to legislate.

If this is in fact the official Fred Thompson position rather than some homosexual RINO talking point then Thompson has a problem he had better fix.

Right, let's see... How many top tier candidates support the marriage amendment, not just through campaign press releases, but through actual action. Answer: None.

136 posted on 09/26/2007 7:35:37 PM PDT by kingu (No, I don't use sarcasm tags - it confuses people.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 127 | View Replies]

To: NeoCaveman
NEWT!?!?!?!?!?!?

What the HECK is he thinking?

137 posted on 09/26/2007 7:36:26 PM PDT by AnAmericanMother ((Ministrix of Ye Chase, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment)))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: mmanager; John Leland 1789
I want my guy to state he believes in God and has a personal relationship with Him.

Somehow, I doubt very much that Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Paine, John Hancock, James Madison, et al, went around talking about their personal relationships with Jesus. Frankly, Mr. Leland, I also doubt seriously that they were not in attendance at many great parties with the day's equivalent of rock 'n roll and booze, etc. The question was, is, and will always be: Does the man behave honorably toward his fellows? For Pete's sake, evalengelicals -- lighten up!!!

There is nothing new under the sun.

138 posted on 09/26/2007 7:36:34 PM PDT by Finny ( Only saps buy man-caused global warming.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 93 | View Replies]

To: longtermmemmory

What is it with you? You don’t get to decide litmus tests for everyone else.


139 posted on 09/26/2007 7:36:38 PM PDT by Politicalmom (Of the potential GOP front runners, FT has one of the better records on immigration.- NumbersUSA)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 128 | View Replies]

To: joebuck

“As far as know one prominant evanglical leader, Dobson, has come out against Thompson. And I lost a lot of respect for Dobson on that. If he doesn’t like Thompson then just talk up the guy he does like. Climbing into the mud slinging political pig sty is no place for a Christian.”

I agree. It is interesting that these Christians are coming out with negative things to say about the candidate they WON”T support insead of coming out with positive things to say about the one they WILL support. Think maybe they don’t know who to support. Maybe this little questionnaire would help them find out who best matches their opinions on several issues instead of just the gay marriage issue. It is a pretty good “pick a candidate” questionnaire. :)

http://www.wqad.com/Global/link.asp?L=259460


140 posted on 09/26/2007 7:36:48 PM PDT by seekthetruth
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 101-120121-140141-160 ... 461 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson