Posted on 10/10/2007 11:44:49 PM PDT by Doofer
A prominent social conservative said Wednesday he finds Republican presidential hopeful Fred Thompson acceptable as a party nominee but warned many Christian voters would desert the Republican ticket if Rudy Giuliani is the 2008 nominee.
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins said that, in his view, former U.S. Sen. Thompson "has a record that shows he is conservative socially. I think he has a record that shows he is a fiscal conservative as well as being strong in the area of foreign policy and national defense."
He said former New York City Mayor Giuliani is the only candidate running among the Republicans "who has stated a pro-abortion-rights position."
"I think it would be very problematic to put forth a candidate that's broken with 30 years of Republican history," he said.
Mr. Perkins' comments come as social conservatives prepare for a GOP candidates forum in Washington next week. The Values Voter Summit also will feature a presidential straw poll.
Speaking to reporters in a telephone conference call, Mr. Perkins said he remains optimistic that there will be "one or two candidates potentially (emerging) with a strong consensus of support from social conservatives."
He sought to downplay a dispute between Dr. James Dobson, a prominent social conservative who heads Focus on the Family, and Mr. Thompson. Still, Mr. Perkins said during the call that he finds Mr. Thompson's refusal to endorse a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage "problematic."
Mr. Thompson has said he opposes gay marriages, but he has stopped short of supporting a constitutional ban. Instead, he has said he would back a federalist approach in the form of a constitutional amendment that would let a state refuse to recognize same-sex marriage ceremonies performed in other states.
Thompson spokesman Jeff Sadosky said in an e-mail that Mr. Thompson, who served as senator from 1994 to early 2003, "has a 100 percent pro-life voting record and on issues such as life and marriage, he believes strongly in returning authority to the levels of government closest to families and communities and protecting states from further intrusion by the federal government and activist judges."
Mr. Perkins said the Thompson proposal would stop "judges from redefining marriage or one state imposing same-sex marriage on another state."
Mr. Perkins said he supports the idea of federalism, but "in our complex society, at some point federalism breaks down, and I do believe marriage is one of those areas where that line of reasoning or ideological position does not work." He said Mr. Thompson remains a viable candidate "because he has been very clear in stating that he sees marriage as between a man and a woman."
Mr. Thompson's differences with Dr. Dobson surfaced in March when U.S. News & World Report quoted Dr. Dobson saying he did not believe that Mr. Thompson is a Christian.
Dr. Dobson's representatives later said he had been misquoted. But The Associated Press, meanwhile, recently quoted from a memo sent by Dr. Dobson criticizing Mr. Thompson.
"Isn't Thompson the candidate who is opposed to a Constitutional amendment to protect marriage, believes there should be 50 different definitions of marriage in the U.S., ... won't talk at all about what he believes, and can't speak his way out of a paper bag on the campaign trail?" Dr. Dobson wrote.
According to a transcript of Fox News' "Hannity & Colmes" talk show, Mr. Thompson last week described Dr. Dobson as a "a gentleman who has never met me, has never talked to me. I've never talked to him on the phone."
Mr. Thompson said in the transcript that "I don't particularly care to have a conversation with (Dr. Dobson). If he wants to call up and apologize again, you know, it's OK with me. But I'm not going to dance to anybody's tune."
On Monday, Dr. Dobson was interviewed by Sean Hannity.
"I'm just telling you I will not vote for a man who will not support the institution of marriage, who thinks every state should establish its own definition of marriage, which will destroy it," he said in a transcript.
Mr. Sadosky did not comment on the Dobson remarks but said Mr. Thompson is "very pleased and humbled by the kind words offered by conservative leaders who know him, such as Dr. Richard Land and Gary Bauer, for his conservative principles and the affirmations of his faith."
Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
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this is good news...I really don’t care if Dobson doesn’t want to support an obviously good candidate. I think it is only going to hurt his cause, not Thompson’s. It makes him look like a self righteous type.
I’m an Evangelical and I’m not too interested in what any of these so-called “Evangelical leaders” want me to do politically.
We had a saying for people like this back when I was in Bible College, “so heavenly minded, they’re no earthly good”
You can say hello to Hillary as our next President.
Any sort of movement for an amendment...would first require grassroot movements within each state. Only once the movement is solified in each state will it be near ready to go for an amendment.
The bar is set so high, and it should be. All these people leaning on a candidate for goals that require far more than they can accomplish on their own...is silly. These changes will require time and effort from every state, and many changes in congress. Nearly impossible with any president, actually...till the ground is fertile for change.
Sadly, it feels good to pound the chest and demand, in tones of pure righteousness, obeisance to a false premise.
He not only will not endorse it, but he endorses this..
Fred’s communications director, Robert Traynham, is openly homosexual.
1)Are you 100% sure that Congressman Hunter has no homosexuals in his office or campaign? (2) What does this have to do with the price of tea in China? Do you really think that the allegation that one of Fred’s staffers is “gay” means that Thompson won’t push for a DOMA? Are you really that obtuse? If you want to critique Fred Thompson on the issues, go right ahead, but don’t act like MoveOn.Org on this.
How did the MSM convince America that the heterosexuals had to change the Constitution to have marriage between a man and a woman?
Why don’t the homosexuals have to change the constitution to allow marriage between a man and whatever he wants to marry?
People, we’ve been conned.
Nope (you can not mind read people), but I know of no "OPEN" homosexuals on his staff, but if you can find of one, I want to know.
Present policy barring open homosexual conduct should be maintained. Rep. Duncan Hunter
Some of Mr. Hunters positions on the subject
the allegation that one of Fred’s staffers is “gay”
No Allegations here, the fellow has been up and front about his homosexuality for a long time now. This is not his first campaign.
If you want to critique Fred Thompson on the issues, go right ahead,
If this ain't an issue with you, well so be it. It is a piece of the puzzle for me.
It would be a much bigger issue with me if the gentleman you referenced was setting policy. He is a political technician, to coin a phrase, not a high-level official. Tell me, have you ever sinned? I have, and I find it hard to judge someone else. That is the job of our Creator. Homosexuality, as I read the Bible, is a sin. But so is adultery (Bill Clinton, Rudy Giuliani & John McCain) and many other things. Some of my sins include: gluttony, sloth, anger, envy, etc... We all sin and fall short...
Yes, I have sinned, and still do on occasion of course. But we as Christians are to judge.
Who cares what this staffer’s sexual orientation is.
You really are all hot to trot about that.
Do you like movies with gladiators?
It’s not even true. Traynham no longer works with the Thompson campaign.
LLS
Guiliani is the totally unacceptable candidate.
Thompson or Romney being the finalists works.
The lesser candidates need to bow out.
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