G.O.P. Hopeful [Thompson] Took Own Path in the Senate

The New York Times ^ | September 30, 2007 | JO BECKER

[Plutarch]

From a political standpoint, it should have been an easy decision. The calls flooding Fred D. Thompson’s Senate office in the winter of 1999 showed that his Tennessee constituents overwhelmingly favored removing President Bill Clinton from office. But as the historic impeachment trial neared, records show, Mr. Thompson agonized over what he saw as two “bad choices...”

But his approach to the impeachment case — and his ultimate decision to part with the Republican majority by voting to acquit Mr. Clinton on one of two impeachment counts — underscores the concerns now being raised by many conservative leaders.

Less than a month into Mr. Thompson’s official campaign, they are asking how truly committed he is to their cause and, given his late-starting and somewhat languid campaign, how much he really covets the prize. James C. Dobson, the influential Christian conservative leader, recently offered this verdict in an e-mail message to supporters: “He has no passion, no zeal and no apparent ‘want to...’”

To judge from the ratings of interest groups, Mr. Thompson was a loyal Republican. He received a 100 percent score from anti-abortion groups, ardently championed the causes of the National Rifle Association, sided with the American Conservative Union 86 percent of the time and backed President Bush on the war with Iraq, tax cuts and most everything else. But such numbers do not necessarily measure a politician’s priorities.

In confidential surveys sent out by the Senate Republican leadership, Mr. Thompson recommended giving priority to issues like Congressional term limits and overhauling welfare, entitlement programs and the tax code. But he passed over divisive social issues like late-term abortion, cloning, physician-assisted suicide and affirmative action.

[pray4liberty]

James C. Dobson, the influential Christian conservative leader, recently offered this verdict in an e-mail message to supporters: “He has no passion, no zeal and no apparent ‘want to...’”

So what? I've been thinking the exact same thing about Fred, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to vote for him if he's the nominee.

Methinks the Christian conservatives would vote for him over Ghouly Annie. It would not surprise me at all, if Dobson's comments are a reverse psychology tactic to fool the MSM and the Dems.