Fred Thompson to leave Senate after only one full term (DRAFT MARSHA BLACKBURN!)

The (Nashville) Tennessean ^ | Friday, 03/08/02

[Decentralize]

U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tennessee, announced today he will not seek re-election as planned, saying, ''I simply do not have the heart for another six-year term.''

Last year, Thompson had considered not seeking another term but then announced he would, saying the events of last September renewed his desire to serve his country, he said.

[Decentralize]

SAVE THE SENATE!

DRAFT MARSHA BLACKBURN FOR SENATE

sen.marsha.blackburn@legislature.state.tn.us
marsha@marshablackburn.org

THE BLACKBURN REPORT

[The Raven]

Too bad, my favorite Senator and from my State

[Diddle E. Squat]

Link to previous discussion of this.

[JohnGalt]

He could have been a contender with his China hearings, but he failed to deliver on his opening speech. He either lacked the courage to go after the Clintons, or discovered there was nothing there but put on a good show to please Conservatives. Either way, I can only think what a political future he might have had.

[SP67]

I'm not from TN (I'm from NC) so I'm not familiar with Marsha Blackburn. Wouldn't Lamar Alexander be the favorite for the GOP to hold the seat?

[JDGreen123]

Marsha would be great but she is not a RINO which is a requirement with the Tennessee Republican party. The ultimate RINO, Lamar Alexander, is the front runner. Does anyone detect a trend here? Republicans who do not support Bush (Thompson, Helms, Armey, McCain) are being replaced or are threatened with replacement by Bush loyalists (Dole, Alexander, etc.)

[Barry Goldwater]

If only 99 others would follow his lead.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Well said!

[Huck]

He should read McCulllough,s John Adams, learn somethingg about patriotic duty, and suck it up. He is letting his country down. Adams lost a son while serving freedom's cause. I am very disappointed.

[Decentralize]

Marsha would be great but she is not a RINO which is a requirement with the Tennessee Republican party. The ultimate RINO, Lamar Alexander, is the front runner.

That's what primaries are for, my friend.

[Hacksaw]

U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tennessee, announced today he will not seek re-election as planned, saying, ''I simply do not have the heart for another six-year term.''

I think Fred thought he could do a good job and saw a lot of things that made him sick to his stomach.

I remember his expressions during the Chinagate hearings when former US hero John Glenn was doing everything possible to keep any evidence from coming forth. It was like he was amazed at the level the Dems were sinking to.

I am sad to see him go. I think he is a good man and should stay. We need honest men and women in our government.

(I also liked him as an actor - maybe he'll make some more movies).

[Reagan Man]

Isn't this Marsha Blackburn a big supporter of Governor Don Sundquist? I thought Sundquist was on the outs with republicans and conservatives. Blackburn's website doesn't give her positions on the issues.

Is Blackburn in favor of tax reform and does she support President Bushes tax cuts? Is she pro-life or pro-choice? Does she support CFR? What's her position on education and national defense? Does she support special rights for homosexual?

Inquiring conservative minds want to know!

[cmak9]

I'm not that crazy about Fred Thompson anyway. He is in support of "Campaign Finance Reform", which treads all over the Bill of Rights (First AND Second Amendments). I wrote to him one time that if he couldn't support the Constitution then he should retire.

[SP67]

That's a lot easier said than done. I think this must have been a deeply painful and personal decision.

It's a shame-he could have nailed Clinton with the Chinagate investigation, but John Glenn ran some big-time interference against him, which of course was why he got a trip on the space shuttle a few years ago.

[GailA]

But does Alexander have a back bone to stand up for Reagan's policies of smaller leaner government?

[tdadams]

Isn't this Marsha Blackburn a big supporter of Governor Don Sundquist?

Bwahahahaha! You ain't from around here, are you boy?

Marsha has been one of the few legislators who've all but said TN will have an income tax over her dead body.

In fact, but for Marsha alerting the media to a late night secret vote last July 12th, Tennessee would now have an income tax.

[Decentralize]

I'm not from TN (I'm from NC) so I'm not familiar with Marsha Blackburn.

That's what the links are for. Learn all about her. She spearheaded the TN Tax revolt by dropping a dime to radio host Phil Valentine. Thousands decended upon the Capitol to protest an income tax that was about to be covertly passed.

Wouldn't Lamar Alexander be the favorite for the GOP to hold the seat?

Maybe, maybe not. A plaid shirt does not a conservative make.

[babble-on]

Yes.

[Reagan Man]

Bwahahahaha! You ain't from around here, are you boy?

No, I'm not from Tenn. That's why I'm asking specific questions. And I ain't your boy, hayseed. Growup and answer the questions, if you can. Specifically!

[r9etb]

And I ain't your boy, hayseed. Growup and answer the questions, if you can.

Lighten up, Francis.

[SP67]

I agree, he may not be a strong ideological conservative. I think TN may have the same problem we have in NC with Elizabeth Dole- she's the best chance we have to keep Jesse Helms's seat in November, even though she has alienated a lot of conservatives. Bush has made several trips here to support her. I wouldn't be surprised if Alexander made a big push for the nomination, and you can bet he'll get a lot of support from Bush- even before the state's primary. TN is too valuable a state to lose in November, especially since it carried Bush in 2000.

[JDGreen123]

Marsha is a good old fashioned Reagan Conservative. She has been blasted more by her own party than by the Democrats. She opposed the state income tax and is leading the fight against driver's licenses for illegal aliens. As a result, the RINOs have blackballed her. If she ran as an Independent she could win.

Tennessee has always been controlled by RINOs in the Republican Prty. Many of them were actually backing the Democratic candidate for Governor because the Republican, Van Hilleary, is painted as too conservative. RINOs see him as a Bible thumper, opponent of globalism, small town guy which is why I love him. Howard Baker is the godfather of the RINOs with Lamar Alexander and his minions in support.

I have lots of trouble with Lamar over issues like these: Lamar Alexander's Skeleton Closet

Now mind you, he's better than a Democrat but far from a conservative. He was Papa Bush's Secretary of Education.

[Reagan Man]

Lighten up, Francis.

Francis?

What's with the insult?

[JDGreen123]

No. Lamar had one of those State roads built by his wife's property as he left office. Deja Vu! He raised taxes during his terms as Governor. Government grew larger under his leadership. While I have not heard him say so, his associate on all the Nashville talk shows are the RINOs leading the charge for a state income tax. (Lou Conner/Ted Welch/Daniel Casse, etc.)

Of course I would hold my nose and vote for him over any Democrat just like the North Carolina people will have to do with Lizzy Dole.

[Reagan Man]

Appreciate the info JDGreen123.

Thanks.

I disagree with you on Alexander being a RINO.

If Republicans ever expect to control the Senate again, they will have to win elections at the state level and that means in some cases, settling for candidates less conservative then we'd like to see.

From what you've told me, if Blackburn is a solid Reagan conservative, she might make a good candidate for the Senate.

[SP67]

It is a shame that these RINOs have forgotten the conservative vision and principles of Ronald Reagan. I just don't understand why the RINOs roll over and have no fighting backbone for what conservatives stand for.

[Jthro]

We need Marsha to stay where she is at in state government. If she left, there wouldn't be anyone left to guard the hen house!

[Decentralize]

I think TN may have the same problem we have in NC with Elizabeth Dole- she's the best chance we have to keep Jesse Helms's seat in November, even though she has alienated a lot of conservatives. Bush has made several trips here to support her. I wouldn't be surprised if Alexander made a big push for the nomination, and you can bet he'll get a lot of support from Bush- even before the state's primary. TN is too valuable a state to lose in November, especially since it carried Bush in 2000.

I disagree. The strongest Democrat is already running for Governor. The best they could do is Rep. Bob Clement or Rep. Harold Ford. It would be tough for either one to mount an effective campaign this late in the game in a Republican state.

Is Marsha Blackburn too conservative for a statewide race? I doubt it but even so she is worth the stretch. Tennessee is a conservative state. I'm personally tired of just taking whoever the Republican elite hands down to us as "electable". No one is electable until they they are ELECTED. If Tennesseans stand on principle behind Marsha she will take it all the way. Let's not be defensive. When did we start playing NOT to lose. We should play to WIN. "Winning" is not Lamar Alexander. Even if he wins, we lose.

[rdavis84]

By The Associated PressNASHVILLE - U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson's daughter died Wednesday at the age of 38, his office said.

Elizabeth "Betsy" Thompson Panici died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center of a "severe brain injury resulting from cardiac arrest," the senator's office said. Press secretary Harvey Valentine said Panici had been sick, but he declined to discuss details.

Thompson was in Nashville at the time of his daughter's death to be with her. He released a statement saying the family wished "to express their gratitude to friends who have kept Betsy in their prayers."

Besides her father, Panici is survived by her mother, Sarah Knestrick; husband, Ronald Panici; son, Antonio; and brothers, Dan and Tony Thompson.

Visitation was set for Friday at Woodlawn Funeral Home from 2 to 4 p.m. CST and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. CST. A funeral was planned for Saturday at Brentwood United Methodist Church at 11:30 a.m. CST. A private burial was planned at Mimosa Cemetery in Lawrenceburg.

Thompson, a Republican, has been in the Senate since 1994. Prior to that he was an actor and lawyer, and was minority counsel for the old Senate Watergate Committee in the 1970s.

January 31, 2002

[MinuteGal]

I'm not unhappy to see Thompson go. He came into the senate with a lot of potential and a dollop of charisma. But without grounding in conservative principles and a noticeable lack of political energy he became more and more irrelevant and ended up an empty suit. Too bad.

Leni

[Reagan Man]

I know all about Fred Thompson.

My questions were specifically about this Marsha Blackburn. Her website bio indicates she was a huge supporter of Gov.Sunquist and waqs even appointed in 1994, the Area Coordinator for Don Sundquist campaign for Governor in Middle Tennessee. Later, in 1995, she served as for Governor Don Sundquist's Inaugural Ball.

It appears Blackburn has solid conservative credentials. That's good. President Bush needs all the support he can get.

[Devereaux]

From what you've told me, if Blackburn is a solid Reagan conservative, she might make a good candidate for the Senate.

Marsha is, indeed, a Reagan gal. Anti-tax, pro-life, pro-constitution.

Just received word that Congressman Ed Bryant is definitely considering this race. Lamar will announce Monday that he is running. Ed Bryant may also be making an announcement, one way or the other, Monday.

Marsha would prefer to continue her work in the State Senate. If Bryant runs, I do not believe that she will run.

[Lion's Cub]

. Does anyone detect a trend here? Republicans who do not support Bush (Thompson, Helms, Armey, McCain) are being replaced or are threatened with replacement by Bush loyalists (Dole, Alexander, etc.)

Right on. McCain's ouster must be because he challenged Bush for the leasership of the party. But the rest are out because they challenged the RINOs.

[rdavis84]

"I know all about Fred Thompson."

What was his daughter in the Hospital for?

[SP67]

You've got a good point. Just look at CA this week. The White House was behind Richard Riordan, a big-time RINO, but there was strong grassroots support for Bill Simon, who's been compared to Reagan for his conservative ideas, probably similar to Blackburn's. And Simon cleaned the mat with Riordan in Tuesday's primary out there.

Good luck on the Blackburn effort. If enough people say "Enough is enough" we'll stop electing Trent Lotts who are RINO cowards and have people who can stand up to the Daschles, Clintons, and Kennedys of the world.

[Lion's Cub]

What was his daughter in the Hospital for?

Your post was the first I've heard of it.

[Devereaux]

My questions were specifically about this Marsha Blackburn. Her website bio indicates she was a huge supporter of Gov.Sunquist and waqs even appointed in 1994, the Area Coordinator for Don Sundquist campaign for Governor in Middle Tennessee. Later, in 1995, she served as for Governor Don Sundquist's Inaugural Ball.

In 1994 we were all still supporting Sundquist. He was still (apparently) a conservative then.

As late as February 1999, after his 1998 re-election, he said the following in his "State of the State" address:

"All an income tax does is raise the tax burden on Tennesseans and create a way to finance the easy and endless expansion of government. Tennessee does not need a state income tax."

It was only later in 1999 that he stabbed us all in the back and showed his RINO colours. We have been fighting him ever since, and Marsha has been in the front ranks with us.

[JDGreen123]

I think they do not believe in conservative values. RINOs have one passion: money. If it makes profits they are all for it whatever happens to everyone else. They retreat to their gated communities like royalty of old into their castles while we serfs are left to defend ourselves against the wilds.

A RINO would sell you, me, and all of us down the river, take our jobs, and put us in harm's way for a buck. Don't even bother asking them about moral, social, or national identity. They don't give a flip about those things. They see their jet set friends across the world as their contemporaries, not the average Americans.

[Reagan Man]

What was his daughter in the Hospital for?

That specific, I don't know.

The politics of Fred Thompson, I do know about. The fact his daughter was in the hospital and died from complications, is a fact and was his overriding reason for not running again.

[rdavis84]

"I know all about Fred Thompson."

What was his daughter in the Hospital for?

"That specific, I don't know."

"The fact his daughter was in the hospital and died from complications, is a fact and was his overriding reason for not running again."

What makes you KNOW that is the reason he decided to not run? He has two sons also. You're stating as FACTS assumptions you are making. I'd like to know What his Daughter was in the Hospital for.

[caltrop]

Well said. Blackburn sounds great to me, exactly what we need and, with all the publicity she's picked up in the income tax fight, is probably better known state wide than any other Republican except Alexander. I entirely agree that, if it's Alexander, even if he wins we lose.

[Huck]

yeah, I know, but he's there. He's got the job. He knows how to do it. It's his prerogative, but he is letting people down. I guess he knows that.

[Reagan Man]

What makes you KNOW that is the reason he decided to not run? He has two sons also. You're stating as FACTS assumptions you are making. I'd like to know What his Daughter was in the Hospital for.

I never said I knew the medical reason why Fred Thompson's daughter entered the hospital and frankly, I don't care either. The news services have been reporting that the Senator specified in his remarks today, the reason he was quitting, was because his heart was no longer in it. This was in some way attributed to his daughter passing away in late January 2002. I'm not making any assumptions and the facts I'm quoting are from reliable media sources. If you wait a while, I'm sure the exact reason his daughter entered the hospital will be revealed. Until then, find someone else to angry and upset with.

[JoeMomma]

The best they could do is Rep. Bob Clement or Rep. Harold Ford. It would be tough for either one to mount an effective campaign this late in the game in a Republican state.

Not true. U.S. Rep. John Tanner would be the most formidable candidate for the Democrats. He'd get the city vote, and capture the rural vote that Al Gore failed to get.

[Campion]

Isn't this Marsha Blackburn a big supporter of Governor Don Sundquist?

Marsha's the anti-Sundquist. I'd rather she'd run for Governor, though, and clean up the mess in TN state government. But we could do much worse in DC.

[KC Burke]

Al had said he was going "home" to mend fences....did he ever find Tennessee?

[GraniteStateConservative]

Alexander will vote like Dole-- in-step with the White House (which can't be said for Erskine Bowles or Harold Ford, Jr.).

[Ingtar]

Ed Bryant, my local Congressman, had mentioned running if Thompson stepped down. He was a House Impeachment manager, and does a good job representing a conservative viewpoint. I would hate to see Thompson's seat go to the Demos. But I would have had to overlook a couple of issues I have with Thompson to vote for him again. (His no on Impeachment; a call to his office revealing he is for CFR)

[GraniteStateConservative]

The problem is that it takes money to win races. The RNC and the WH are already running ragged across the country for Thune and Talent and Coleman, etc. Lamar Alexander could raise a million dollars easy-- Blackburn would really struggle doing that. We have too many seats to protect or challenge.

[Grammy]

"In 1994 we were all still supporting Sundquist. He was still (apparently) a conservative then. It was only later in 1999 that he stabbed us all in the back and showed his RINO colours. We have been fighting him ever since, and Marsha has been in the front ranks with us."
1999 is apparently when Dandy Don was replaced with one of the pod people.