Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
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Posted on 10/29/2007 7:04:22 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
CONCORD, N.H. — Republican presidential hopeful Fred Thompson told New Hampshire voters Monday that efforts in some states to recognize same-sex marriage are a "judge-made controversy."
Civil unions will become legal in New Hampshire on Jan. 1, allowing gays to apply for the same rights as married people. Same-sex unions from other states also will be recognized in New Hampshire if they were legal in the state where they were performed.
Questioned about civil unions after a speech at a dental benefits company, Thompson said, "I would not be in support of that."
But when he elaborated, he switched from civil unions, which give gays legal rights equivalent to those of married couples, to same-sex marriages, which are legal only in neighboring Massachusetts.
"Basically so far, it is a judge-made controversy," Thompson said. "No state or governor has signed off on such legislation on the state level that has endorsed marriage between the same sexes. There may have been a couple of courts that said the Constitution of their states has required that, so it's a judicially made situation as far as I am concerned."
Massachusetts' highest court ruled in 2003 that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. But high courts in several other states have refused to follow suit, including Maryland last month. Cases are pending in Connecticut and California.
Edward Paul, an employee of the Delta Dental Plans Association, asked the question Monday, but had trouble being understood.
"I'm proud to say that in January 2008 New Hampshire has passed a law facilitating civil unions here. ... What is your belief for federal civil unions to be passed?" Paul asked.
"Soviet Union?" Thompson responded.
"No, civil unions," Paul said.
"Oh. No, I would not be in support of that," Thompson said.
Paul said he wasn't surprised, or impressed.
"I think he needs to do more homework on whatever state he's in and I don't think he did on that question," said Paul. He said he is a registered independent who plans to vote in the Democratic presidential primary.
Thompson's campaign has said the candidate would let states decide whether to sanction civil unions. He has supported federal action to protect states from having to recognize gay marriages performed in other states. As a Tennessee senator, he voted against legislation to prohibit job discrimination based on sexual orientation.
On Monday, Thompson also filed the paperwork to get on the ballot for the GOP primary in New Hampshire.
I must have missed the "discourse." I think Fred uses federalism as the lazy man's out. No sense being up to speed on anything. It's all up to the states! All he has to do is cut ribbons and tell jokes. What a great country!
I hope you are right about that. This country needs a man like him. If fRudy gets the nomination, we are screwed.
New Englanders just don’t get Southern humor. Way to up tight up there.
>> would let states decide whether to sanction [soviet] unions.
Fred’s right. But with all the lead toxic toys coming from China, I’m not sure it’s the Soviets we need to worry about.
The Founders invented federalism in the USA.
You got a problem with Fred promoting federalism, take it up with Madison, Hamilton and Jay.
Btw, Reagan was a big supporter of federalism too.
President Reagan`s Executive Order #12612: Federalism: October 26, 1987:
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, and in order to restore the division of governmental responsibilities between the national government and the States that was intended by the Framers of the Constitution and to ensure that the principles of federalism established by the Framers guide the Executive departments and agencies in the formulation and implementation of policies, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Sec. 2.:
(a) Federalism is rooted in the knowledge that our political liberties are best assured by limiting the size and scope of the national government.
The Supreme Court of MA order the legislature to make a law that would allow gays to marry.
They refused.
So in rides Mitt Romney to the rescue and orders county clerks to issue gay people marriage licenses.
He would have been a hero if he would have just ignored the SC. There is nothing they could have done.
The leg. is the one who is supposed to make law. Not the SC or the governor.
He is NOT mistaken. He said no governor signed of on LEGISLATION.
Romney just blindly did what a court “ordered”. He should have asked them how they were going to enforce their decree.
Try reading Fred’s statement again. It is NOT an error.
It's similar to the manager with no expertise or understanding of what he's managing who adopts a strong adherence to hands-off managing. He's likely to go on about how he doesn't micromanage. Like he has a choice.
And just as I don't have a problem with federalism, I don't have a problem with not micromanaging. But it's not hard to tell when it's just a dodge.
Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
WARNING: If you wish to join, be aware that this ping list is EXTREMELY active.
According to the other poster, Romney signed off on gay marriage. If that’s true, Fred missed a golden opportunity there. But hey, that’s all details, right? Fred’s not a details guy. All he has to do is cut ribbons, crack jokes, and look presidential. His people will handle the nasty business of governing. Right?
Fred was making another point at the time, that legislatures aren’t imposing this on states because they know that the vast majority don’t want it.
Just because YOU think he should have gone another direction with his comments, doesn’t make you right.
Has Fred been elected yet? Who says anyone has to get used to anything yet?
Oh wait. i forgot. You’re a fredhead. Never mind.
I don’t care if you don’t like Fred. I do care that you run around lying about his politics and questioning his integrity, veracity and his intellect. Instead of showing us how cynical you can be, try debating the issue.
Modern federalism is all about limiting the size and scope of the federal government and returning power to the states. Fred has promoted federalism his entire political career. In the 2008 campaign, Fred`s advancing federalism is an issue that matters to most conservatives.
No. And I don't expect him too. So far he seems to be a lousy candidate. Sad but true. That's my point. For anyone with eyes open who had any hope that Fred would rise, get used to being disappointed by what you see. The others are in denial.
I am getting a little tired of his Federalism excuse, I really don’t find it inspiring, plus I notice he uses it whenever he has an opinion that I disagree with. We did have a civil war, I believe that everyone has agreed that this is the United States of America. Fred acts as if the Federal Government is a 4 letter word, well if that’s the case, then why does he want to be President of the United States? He should go home and run for Governor instead.
“Soviet Union?” Thompson responded.
Love this response.
It was perfect.
That read to me like he was making Fred out to be a dunderhead, when the case was the gay mumbled it to him and he had to clarify what he heard....just to get this particular response.
“Look, he’s a fossil-conservative! Still going off about the Soviet Union and communism! Heck, he probably thinks it’s still the cold war!”
That’s how I see it here.
Soviet Union????
“I would not support that.”
That is his eloquent response.
One-liners?????
This is really frightening.
It was as equally frightening for the Cultural Marxists in the audience...
(Cultural Marxism = Soviet Union)
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