Thompson Making More Inroads Among Social Conservatives?

3413333From CBS News' John Bentley, on the trail with the Fred Thompson campaign:

Could the icy relationship between Dr. James Dobson and Fred Thompson be thawing? Thompson was the keynote speaker at the Florida Family Policy Council Dinner Friday night, a group associated with Dobson's Focus on the Family organization. While Dobson does not have direct control over state groups like the Florida Family Council, he was told about Thompson's appearance and was reportedly fine with it, according to sources.

No one would speak on the record about the relationship between the Republican presidential contender and the evangelical leader. The invitation to speak at the dinner was extended to Thompson after Dobson criticized Thompson back in March, but before his e-mail tirade two months ago.

Those close to the situation wonder if Dobson is afraid he went too far out on a limb by condemning Thompson in a now infamous e-mail that read in part, "He has no passion, no zeal, and no apparent 'want to.' And yet he is apparently the Great Hope that burns in the breasts of many conservative Christians? Well, not for me, my brothers. Not for me!"

Since then, Thompson has picked up the endorsement of the National Right to Life Committee, a prominent conservative organization.

Thompson's subdued speech at the dinner made no mention of Dobson, focusing instead on his federalist beliefs and disdain for social policy that is created by judges who don't follow the Constitution but "make it up as they go along."

The last time Thompson talked about Dobson was back on October 3rd, when he said the conservative leader owed him an apology. "If he wants to call up and apologize again, it's OK with me, but I'm not going to dance to anybody's tune." The campaign said they had not heard from Dobson.