WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2007
What Does Fred Thompson Stand For?
Republican Would-Be Presidential Candidate Offers Few Specifics So Far
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Fred Thompson arrives at the Enterprise Jet Center for a rally before making his way to an afternoon fundraiser, July 25, 2007, in Houston. (AP/Houston Chronicle/Beltran)
Thompson also:
-Splits with Bush on immigration, opposing the president's comprehensive immigration law overhaul bill and, instead, argues for increased border security as well as full enforcement of current federal immigration laws. The issue has divided the GOP, and Thompson is seeking the support of Republicans who object to illegal immigrants getting a path to U.S. citizenship.
In one online column, he says: "Federal law must be enforced, or our neighborhoods will continue to be the scene of chilling and lurid crimes committed by those who broke the law in the first place to come to America."
-Appears to take a hard-line approach to foreign policy. He criticizes the United Nations, saying the world body "seems to oppose human freedom rather than promote it." And, in one particularly incendiary commentary for ABC radio in April, he carried on about the perception of the U.S. around the world and its relationships with certain countries.
He assails Mexico on immigration, arguing that leaders there "apparently have an economic policy based on exporting their own citizens while complaining about U.S. immigration policies that are far less exclusionary than their own." He adds: "The French jail perfectly nice people for politically incorrect comments, but scold us for holding terrorists at Guantanamo."
Thompson saves his most aggressive comments for Russia, contending that ex-KGB agents "apparently" run the country, use their oil wealth to engage in blackmail, and dispose of people who cross them. "Oppose the Russian leadership, and you could trip and fall off a tall building or stumble into the path of a bullet."
-Emphasizes individuals' right to keep and bear arms, as well as the right to own and keep property. He suggests in one online piece that the Virginia Tech massacre could have been deterred had those who were at least age 21 and met certain criteria been allowed to carry concealed weapons on school grounds. In the Senate, Thompson voted against requiring criminal background checks for purchases at gun shows.
In a recent commentary, he assailed a 2005 Supreme Court decision giving local governments broad power to seize private property to generate tax revenue.
-Calls Bush's tax cuts a "success story" that helped grow the economy and says: "Letting them expire would amount to a tax hike of historic proportions." He also says the president should hold the line on spending.
Thompson already ranks in the top-tier of the GOP field in national polls and is in strong contention as well in early voting states. But he significantly lags his top long-running rivals in organization and money.
-On Iraq, Thompson said recently in London: "We need to do everything possible to avoid the appearance of utter weakness."
To some degree, his lack of detail is a legal matter. The law under which he is "testing the waters" of a presidential run limits activities that would make it appear he was doing more than simply weighing a bid. Talking about what he would do as president could violate that threshold.
Politics also comes into play. Going into detail now could invite attacks from opponents and force Thompson to engage in the presidential race before he's ready.
"Noncandidates don't need to have a message because they're noncandidates. Now the moment that he announces, people are going to want to know exactly what he stands for," said John Geer, a Vanderbilt University political science professor.
"If he comes out of the gates with a clear compelling message then he's going to look very strong," Geer said. "If he doesn't, he's going to stumble."
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See all 49 CommentsWe are asking a man to give an assessment on his own ideas and performance. In short we want him to say whether he has succeeded or failed at his assignment, AND we expect him to either support his boss or contradict him for all the country to see. Now....if it was any of our jobs and we were told to evaluate our work and our boss--how many would say their work was a failure and their boss a liar? Common sense says Patreaus will do all he can to spin as much as he can in the way Gonzales and Bush want him too--his career does not begin and end with Iraq--but if he wants it to continue in any viable way at all, he has to continue to lick out some serious Oval office booty.
Posted by fredgrad2000 at 04:24 PM : Aug 17, 2007
Excellent post
I am an independent who believes in pro choice, the death penalty, civil unions for *** with rights but not marriage per se, I want a fiscally responsible government that puts Americans first.
I am against: outsourcing, insourcing, amnesty of any sort for illegals, most subsidy programs, social or otherwise but first and foremost--I am adamantly against this war. I have been from the beginning. I want the rule and respect of law to prevail. That includes international treaties we draft and sign as well as our Constitution and our laws. I don''t want the laws finessed or revamped to justify the infractions of certain groups for the day.
There are many things I dislike about the Democratic Party, but I believe the GOP has turned fascist and anti-American with the President ignoring subpoenas, laws and *********** on the Constitution. I believe the Iraq war is illegal and immoral. I have a choice, hold my nose and vote for a Democrat knowing I will probably also get illegal immigrants as a present, or vote for a Republican who more than likely will continue to destroy this country fiscally as well as destroying our integrity. I see scant choice on the Republican side--Ron Paul? He is not likely to get the nomination. From those who could--I loathe them all. And I know a lot of Independents who feel a lot like I do.
Posted by mudrose at 03:28 PM : Aug 17, 2007
so true--they all suck a big weenie. cowards all, and for the most part, we do not know what any of them truly stand for--because what they really stand for is just lining THEIR pockets, plotting THEIR next career moves, securing THEIR pensions, lining up THEIR NEXT contacts and hoping most of us are stupid enough or suckers enough to hire them.
The Presidency and Congress are just long job interviews and most of the candidates are lousy picks. But there is something distasteful about hiring an actor to play President, it just means when he lies, he knows how to look like he means what he says.
Like the tone of him already. Posted by mudrose at 02:08 PM : Aug 17, 2007
Stirring the people would indeed be a significant feat if "the people" comprised more than 29% of all voters. But where is the relevance? Even if 100% of Republicans backed a guy, there is no chance they can win unless others besides Republicans support him. This may be an eyeopener--but right now, being called a Republican is similar to being called stinky.
No one wants to be called that, and no one wants to get too close and no one wants to keep such a stench around. In short, unless the war front changes drastically and more and more dirt stops being uncovered about the Republican congress and their god (Bush), the Republicans can kiss the next election year cycle goodbye. There are not enough Republicans to define or make an election and face it--most states are either having paper trails or totally scrapping the dieboldt and other voting machines so that cheating option is out too.
scooter libby defense fund flack- what a patsy- nixon spy- you have to worry though when they start wearing cowboy hats- it''''s like a gang sign flashing to the bigoted masses...
Posted by jsilver2th at 02:43 PM : Aug 17, 2007
Excellent comment.
How do you tell if a politician is lying? some would say when their lips are moving, I am inclined to believe it is when they skip around on their position and try to tailor it to the crowd they want to please.
Every American voter better remember, that no matter what politicians say to us to get elected, they may not mean it. And the only ones who really can influence and have voices later are heads of corporations, lobbyists, billionaires, and higher ups in political organizations. If that ain''t you--then stop being so gullible and believing everything your guy tells you. You have something they want: like mainly that high six figure salary and the chance to use the oval office as a stepping stone to more wealth. Beyond that, most of us do NOT matter. Learn and retain this.
They have 9 or ten pitiful candidates so far, and they will just add another one. He has enough baggage in his voting record, his lobby connections, and his own words, to give the Democrats some joyful fodder.
NOTHING
Donnie900''s blessings on anybody who shoots a ******* texan.
Fred what are you going to be about this....woo hoo, what is your plan how would you get us out of this QUAGMIRE
a new poll by the network finds that a majority doesn''t trust Petraeus to give them an accurate assessment of what''s happening on the ground in Iraq.
When asked if they trust the top U.S. Commander in Iraq to report "what''s really going on," a surprising 53% answer "no." Only 43% say they trust him to tell us the real deal on the war.
Another key result: a huge majority claims that whatever he says about Iraq in September, it won''t change their minds about the war. Only 28% say a positive assessment will make them more likely to support the war, while the number who say it won''t is a staggering seventy two percent.
Mee too.... bad lying peoples
I hope not. Because then that means that you and yer carpetbagger buddies can lie to people about it to get more votes.
I hope its not a religion. We don''t need that ******* up baggage.
As a career lobbyist Fred Thompson will stand for any corporation or special interest who gives him money.
Posted by donnie900
I pray to the Second Amendment too. Sometimes I also pray to the First, the Fourth, the Fourteenth. I like my Bill of Rights. Great religion. Don''t you think.
in the hopes that these right wing republican christian snakes will see the light.
well, i''m here to tell you that the south has a dark and sordid past.
and any efforts to accomodate these redneck christian creeps will just make the situation worse.
the south never does good for america.
has only brought this country shame, death and destruction.
ha,ha,ha.
that''s the south for you, folks!
no changing it.
that''s where they find their kind of people.
rednecks, reborns, war, hate, arrogance, christian creeps, republican snakes...
you''ll never find these creepy republicans campaigning in the north.
ha,ha,ha.
nothing good comes out of the south.
Thats why I''m gonna take de ************ away from yaz. And give Texas to Mexico.. Finally be ******** rid of yer psychobabble ******** "compassionate conservatism" religious bullshyyts. Piece''a shyyt ******** macho on the end of my ******** nub.
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