Another sign that the religious conservative Republican base is all over the place: Fred Thompson has won the endorsement of the National Right to Life Committee. This is despite his past work as a lobbyist for a family planning group and his stated lack of support for a federal constitutional amendment against abortion. “I was pro-life on every, every vote,†Thompson said of his Senate voting record. This also follows endorsements of Rudy Giuliani by Pat Robertson, of Mitt Romney by Paul Weyrich, of Mike Huckabee by Donald Wildmon and of John McCain by Sam Brownback.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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85 Comments
Thompson? The geezer can’t get out of his hammock to actually try to win an election. Huckabee would have been a better choice. Oh well, I never accused antis to be an intelligent bunch.
Fred Thompson is the only true conservative that can beat Hillary Clinton in the general election. All TRUE conservatives and real Americans should get behind Senator Thompson for the sake of our nation!
I don’t think Thompson would beat Hillary. Not even close.
As far as who would make a good alternative to Hillary as president, if it has to be a republican, let it be John McCain. I know he’s been weird lately, but I think he’d come back to his senses if elected.
of Course, a dem of any kind would be better than a republican.
Well, there isn’t a Ronald Reagan running this time, so conservatives are going to choose different people for different reasons. You haven’t exactly made a startling revelation full of insight here.
Hopefully this is the start of the end of the religious nutcase movement. The country is getting sick of them- every poll shows that. And they have hopefully come to the realization that they are not going to ban abortion or teach public school children that the Earth is only 6000 years old and was created in 6 days.
Well the good news here is that the christian crazies can’t agree on one guy. Wonderful!
“doomp doomp”
Well,
You have to remember that if Hilary wins the nomination, you will more than likely see a huge rally from the Republicans and Conservatives to support whomever the Republican candidate is.
political_mom,
Those kind of statements are ignorant! Any person who believes that is an uneducated person, or if educated, has mental problems. Does a party platform outweigh skills and experience of individual candidates? Absolutely not! Your thinking is what is wrong with this country! And don’t even start the “I must be a right wingnut” crap, because I am a left leaning independent. I personally feel that Joe Biden has the best foreign policy experience of any candidate (other than maybe McCain), but certainly of all the Dems. With the problems going on in the world caused by the worst President of our time, the next President must have strong foreign policy experience. It is not good enough for the next President to simply trust those skills to Cabinet posts and underlings. That is what has happened with our current President. Cheney, Rums, and others have actually led the country into this mess.
This is fun!
I also love hearing from some Terry Fox followers that they will NEVER vote for Giuliana or Romney.
DougT – let me possibly clarify what might have been p-mom’s intent – one with which I wholeheartedly agree.
Any of the currect group of likely Democratic candidates is superior to any of the current group of Republican candidates.
Clinton, Obama, Richardson, Edwards …
vs …
Giuliani, Romney, Huckabee, Thompson, McCain …
What? No Ron Paul
“Any of the currect group of likely Democratic candidates is superior to any of the current group of Republican candidates.”
Using what measure, Ben?
Ron Paul is the answer. I do not agree with him 100%, but he does truely follow the beliefs of our founding fathers!
Actually, if you want my 2 cents worth:
What is the chance of a “right wing” indepedant run?
It will be hard to stoke up the “Lets teach the Republicans a lesson” bunch, with all these split endorsements.
What is the “lesson” ???
I am thinking that any 3rd Party attempt, from the right, will now be a complete joke.
Now, now, folks. Don’t count the Fundos out just yet: Terry “The Snake” Fox might just come back and bite you.
Good. Let ‘em split even further.
Many in the faith based community are coming to know that the Republican party only uses the issues they care about as a political football to keep them voting Republican.
Well there is one issue where Democrats are NOT all talk. That’s the environment and stewardship of it. Faith based folks would be wise to vote the party that cares for the planet.
bushco: the best ambassadors the Democratic Party could ever have!
JR,
There is a big difference in caring for the planet and obsessing over the planet to the point of absurdity or using the planet as a tool to push your social agenda.
“Another sign that the religious conservative Republican base is all over the place…”
You’re just a’wishin Rhonda.
Isn’t this the primary season? Is it unusual to have different candidates garnering various endorsement? Of course not.
Just so we nominate a candidate that we can all get behind when the time comes.
Billary: the best ambassadors the Republican Party could ever have!
Surprise: Hillary will not be the nominee. She doesn’t tip waitresses, according to NPR. The bad karma will get her.
Maybe you would care to expand on that last Nathan?
It seemed just a snap retort and not particularly relevant.
Heckler gives away the game: with the paucity of credible GOP Presidential candidates, and the total failure of “conservative” ideology, all that’s left to do is bring the hate for the Clintons.
outlander – character, experience, ability to forge alliances, social issues. It si my opinion that the Dem group is superior to the Rep group right now.
CF2K
Yeah, hate is such a heartwarming thing. Especially when it’s inspired by sweet little Hillary.
Ben
The only Dem running who has any character is Richardson, and he aint gonna win.
In your opinion heckler. As for the Republicans Ron Paul might have some character but he ain’t going anywhere either.
Heckler,
I see. Find strong women threatening, do you?
CF
I’m married to a strong woman, she only scares me occasionally.
Hills not strong, just mean and bitter. Has to call in Bill to defend her when “the boys” get a little rough on her.
Heckler,
And W has to call in Laura to help him maintain the facade of being ‘compassionate,’ while Lynne Cheney is given the task of attacking John Kerry.
That knife cuts both ways, Heckler. The GOP plays gender politics every bit as much as you accuse Hillary of doing.
Seems like Americans don’t have anyone to be FOR, but both sides have someone to be AGAINST. Sad, isn’t it?
Speaking of gender politics, James Taranto has an interesting illustration of “tolerant” leftwing press using gay-baiting to hack away at Rudy.
“It’s especially sad to see Andrew Sullivan, who styles himself a champion of gay rights, resort to a rank appeal to homophobia in order to score cheap partisan points.”
http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110010858
I’m married to a very strong woman and she scares the hell out me!
Hillary? If Hillary is the answer, it’s a very stupid question.
This is what a true feminist says about Hillary:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/paglia/2007/11/14/hillary/?source=whitelist
Hey Linda,
I’m for Huckabee. Had to send him $200 to make up for the $100 I sent Thompson last month.
Who are you for?
“just mean and bitter”
Sounds like a good description of a lot of Hillary haters these days.
CF2K – i would also add “W has to call in Laura to help him maintain the facade of being sober.”
JR,
When you give me an argument which is more than a quip I will respond with more than I did as well.
Hank – this will surprise you but Huckabee is one GOP candidate I would have to look at. Might even vote for him depending on the ‘rest of the story.’ Seems like a guy I can at least resepct.
Yeah,
I have been seriously thinking of switching my support to Huckabee as well.
Still have the Fred Thompson Bumper sticker though…
Sigh.
Careful, “Nathan” –
Huckabee as governor of Arkansas never saw a tax he didn’t raise.
Not exactly the way to woo Republic Party voters, now is it?
That is why I am thinking about it.
I was looking up his record as Governor and there are a few things I didn’t like.
Hopefully my “Huckabee for President” bumper sticker will cover up my “I’m With Fred” bumper sticker.
Hey Pa,
You are supposed to tell me these things, like switching support for a Presidential candidate.
There is nothing in the Universe that can unite the cons. like hate. Bush has been using that tactic for years!
Hey Boy,
Scrape Fred off the truck. Huckabee is going to win Iowa!
Pa
Hey Phantom,
. . .as in Andrew Lloyd Webber?
If I had a say (which I don’t!) in who the candidates would be I would choose Richardson as the Democratic candidate.
I’m very sad about those who choose to run, how much money it takes, where that money comes from and knowing that kind of money brings strings.
Vaughn suggested one day that our future might hold a true patriot who could compete and the little people’s donations could get it done because the internet has made us more aware and more willing to work toward change.
I don’t see one of those yet but I haven’t given up hope. If not now, maybe within my lifetime?
Hank Price,
“Scrape Fred off the truck!” Yer killin’ me, Hank Price, ah tell yew whut…
Hank Price,
And, given Thompson’s famous ‘red pickup truck’ campaign for Senator in Tennessesee, your remark is funny in all sorts of ways.
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/archives/9612.cottle.html
He who lives by the truck, dies by the truck.
“Scrape Fred off the truck!”
Back bumper or front bumper? Or the tires?
As for Huckabee, he looks fine if you don’t look to close. I think the watershed event is Huckabee’s lying about his key role in releasing convicted rapist Wayne Dumond, who subsequently raped and killed a woman in Missouri.
“On Oct. 31, 1996, Huckabee met with the parole board. Huckabee has categorically denied that he supported the Dumond parole during the closed portion of the meeting, but four current and former board members tell the Times that Huckabee in fact did so.”
http://www.arktimes.com/Articles/ArticleViewer.aspx?ArticleID=154e1aad-fd18-4efd-8d80-b5dab8559419
The anti-Clinton machine made a cause celebre’ of Dumond, who was convicted of raping Ashley Stevens, a distant relative of Bill Clinton’s. They alleged interference by Clinton, even though Clinton had recused himself from the case.
So, let’s review: Huckabee was willing to parole a repeat violent offender out of motives that were at least partly political, and then lied about his role in doing so when said offender went on to kill again.
Tweny years ago, the Right used the release of Willie Horton to destroy the candidacy of Michael Dukakis. But what Huckabee did was much worse, since his release of Dumond was a personal vendetta that he has since tried frantically to disown.
Huckabee, in short, is an opportunistic, lying phony. My guess is that he’s a walk for the GOP nomination.
In 2000 George WMD Bush lost the popular election. In 2004 he barely eked out a popular majority. Both elections were against less-than-competent Democratic campaigners. Both elections were won by a unified “Christian” bloc of voters providing the Republic Party’s margin of victory.
In 1996, the so-called “Christians” sat on their hands rather than vote for Bob Dole. Bob Dole! Because the “Christain” faction of the Republic Party thought Bob Dole was “too liberal.” Bob Dole.
The important margin-of-victory voters, the so-called “Christians” aren’t gonna go out of their way to vote for pro-choice, pro-gay, pro-gun-control Rudy Giuliani. The twice-born won’t bring themselves to vote for Mormon Mitt, who believe Jesus will return to earth in Jackson County, Missouri. The holy-rollers won’t turn out to vote for McCain, who called ‘em out on their hypocrisies in 2000. And Fred Thompson is so lazy he might not roll out of bed with his trophy wife to vote for himself, so why should anyone else bother?
Mike Huckabee might deliver the holier-than-thou Religious Wrong, but his tendency to apply tax increases to good government will alienate the traditional core of Republic Party voters.
Is Immigration really an important issue for you? Tom Tancredo is your guy. But even you realize he’s certifiably crazy.
The biggest issue facing American voters is George WMD Bush’s disasterous Middle East policy. And the only Republic Party candidate who isn’t running far to the right of Shrub on continued aggression against the Mid East is Ron Paul. One guy out of eight Republic Party candidates, and he’s getting 2% of support from Republic Party voters.
Bush has ruined the country, ruined the Middle East, and ruined the Republic Party coalition.
Hank,I like Huckabee too. Considering the choices the GOP is offering, I think Huckabee looks pretty good. On the Democratic side, I have to go clear down the list to Dodd to find one I really like. Any opinion on Dodd?
Isn’t it kind of silly for anyone in Kansas to think too hard about the primary races in either party? By the time we get around to a caucus it will be all over. The choice will be made for us.
Dodd no one execpct political junkies and people in Conn. know who he is and he doesn’t have any money and polls at a %. So i gonna go out on a limb and say he isn’t gonna be the nominee.
CF2K – I wonder if that will gain traction against Huckabee? What was his reason for supporting the release – hate for the Clinton family? There sure is a lot of THAT around!
Actually I beilive that Kansas causas come earlier this election cycle. With no front runner among repubs. and Hilliary sinking the the polls that make the election a toss up.
I think being a tax raiser will hurt Huckabee more.
Tom – the GOP may still be open; I think the Dem race will be wrapped up. I haven’t seen any evidence that Hillary is sinking in the polls like you claim.
I beilive she took a hit in the polls after two sub par debates and her claim that she was being picked on. As for polls since each state votes often on different state individual state polls are more important.
Tom – last I saw she had a decent lead in Iowa and a commanding lead in NH.
I think Richardson is hoping to make a stand in Nevada.
The last 28yrs of rattlesnake politics by the extreme right has had a result. We’re now living in a country that really needs a truly great president to fix the damage done by their Bush/Cheney baby, and no decent candidate is willing to sacrifice his/her family to that snakepit politics has become. We’re outa luck, and have nobody but ourselves to blame.
Speaking of IA etc … still early January?
Uhm, “Ben?” –
It’s an absolute horse race in Iowa between Senator Clinton, Senator Obama, and former Senator Edwards.
Frankly, I can live with any of the three as the Democratic nominee. But I question Senator Clinton’s vulnerablity to Swift-Boat tactics. (Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to run for President said she’d faced more prejudice being a woman than for being African American.)
Barak Obama inspires me to believe in an America that’s not as cynical, greedy, and stupid as George WMD Bush.
But I really like John Edwards’ record as an *advocate.*
If there’s any candidate from either party with whom I’d like to sit down over a beer and talk things over, it’s John Edwards. He listens, he learns, and he gets it.
The best guy on the ballot in 1980 was John Anderson. The best guy on the ballot in 1984 was Walter Mondale. The best guy on the ballot (lord help us) in 1988 was probably George HW Bush. The best guy on the ballot in 1992 was Bill Clinton. Same in ‘96.
The guy who *won* the popular vote in 2000 wasn’t the best politican. The guy who got re-elected was a far better politician than President.
Give Shrub credit. He fooled some of the people some of the time, if only when it mattered on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
If I had my way, Senator Clinton would have a long and impressive career in the Senate. It’s a job that she thrives in, gaining the respect and (off-the-record) off-the-record praise from even her opponents in that chamber.
Barak Obama’s vision for America inspires me. My only wish is that he had a bit more seasoning. Perhaps the year ahead will give that to him. But he is the face of America.
Right now, I like John Edwards’ approach to foreign and domestic policy. Things are out of whack with the power of corporations and lobbyists in Washington, D.C.
We need an advocate for the ideas — not just the military power — of America. To the Chinese, we need to strike a balance between their exploitive labor practices and effiencies of the marketplace. To the Oil-rich nations of the Middle East, we need to apply American know-how toward our addiction to oil. To all of us in America, we need to recognize that merely “getting rich” is *not* a measure of personal worth.
About the only thing the Republic Party faithful have come up with against Edwards is that he combs his hair.
Has to call in Bill to defend her when “the boys” get a little rough on her.
Posted by: Heckler | November 14, 2007 at 09:47 AM
=========================
You nincompoop!! Are there any “girls” running against Hillary?? NO! There are only “the boys” — What makes that a gender issue?? It is only a gender issue if some Republinut says it is!!
You could just as easily say “the boys” ganged up on good ol’ Brownback too!! LOL
Ben,
“CF2K – I wonder if that will gain traction against Huckabee?”
Good question. Given our “liberal media” and its prediliction for handling Republican candidates with kid gloves while savaging Democrats, it’ll be a wonder if the word ever gets out at all.
Our media are never ones to let some inconvenient facts about a candidate get in the war of a personality profile story line.
He who lives by the truck, dies by the truck.
Posted by: CF2K | November 14, 2007 at 11:02 AM
=======================
A bit too reminiscent of LaMar Alexander’s “once upon a time campaign, huh??
I dont see here Joe Biden has any thing going for him on foreign policy and foreign diplomcy over Bill Richardson… in fact, I think Richardson has a lot more going for him on foreign policy…
I also think he has a good pulse on the immigration questions… legal and illegal… Look where he comes from… New Mexico deals with those issues DAILY… maybe even HOURLY along the southern border…
Richardson has done a fantaatic job juggling tax rates, and individual needs in New Mexico. That state is a tremendous place to live and work… if you can find work there!!
If Democrats really want to take a stand for what they really believe, they would start rallying around Richardson.
They might also look at Biden, Hillary, or Obama as a running mate while they are at it…
Chas – I agree; Richardson is my first choice. However I just don’t think he will break out.
Something funny to watch – the GOP seems to have a ‘candidate du jour’ as they try to find someone to support. Notice Hank replacing his Thompson sticker with Huckabee. I wonder who it will be next month.
Kansas Dems will hold their caucus on Feb 5; Repubs hold theirs on Feb 9.
By Feb 5 here is the schedule so far:
CaucusesIowa D&RWyoming RNevada D&RHawaii RMaine RAlaska D&RColorado D&RIdaho DKansas DMinnesota D&RMontana RNorth Dakota D&R
PrimariesLouisiana D&RMichigan D&RSouth Carolina RNew Hampshire D&RFlorida D&RSouth Carolina DAlabama D&RArizona D&RArkansas D&RCalifornia D&RConnecticut D&RDelaware D&RGeorgia D&RIllinois D&RMissouri D&RNew Jersey D&RNew Mexico DNew York D&ROklahoma D&RTennessee D&RUtah D&R
I think it will be all over but the complaining by Feb 9th!
I like Bill Richardson, not as a presidential candidate, I just think he’s a pretty good guy.
I think he’s probably running for vice president. He knows more about Hillary’s faults than most of the candidates and he’s not really standing out in the debates.
As far as the republican candidates go, I’m a little disapointed in the field.
Guliani? Has a good chance, but I have a problem with his liberal social policies. Right up there with McCain as far as fighting the terrorists though.
Mit Romney? Heavens! How liberal do you have to be to win the governorship of the Commenwealth of Massachusetts?
McCain? I just don’t like him. I’ll never forgive him for McCain-Feingold.
Thompson? Another Actor? What a great way to get liberal panties in a wad! Imagine, the best the democrats have to offer getting beat by an actor! Again!
Ron Paul? The Dennis Kucinich of the Republican Party! Really a good, sincere man, it’s just that all the scivvies in his seabag aren’t stenciled.
Perhaps, “Poster Boy” –
But there’s also the chance it’ll work into a 3-way tie for the candidates in both parties.
Senator Clinton is probably the best equipped candidate, of either party, to serve as Chief Executive. But she’s not that great a candidate. Barak Obama is an inspirational candidate on the order of FDR in ‘32 and RFK in ‘68. John Edwards is almost as good a candidate as Obama and probably more electable if only because he’s not as tan. This is America, after all, and the race card will always be played.
But look at the Republic Party’s front-runners. Rudy Giuliani’s skeletons are coming out of each and every closet in the Naked City. And he’s pro-choice, pro-gay-marriage, pro-gun-control… that’s really gonna pull the Republic Party faithful to the polls. Mitt Romney is an anotomically-correct reincarnation of a Ken doll, who happens to wear magic underwear abe believe Jesus will return to earth in Jackson County, Missouri.
John McCain is the Republic Party’s Hillary Clinton. He just might turn out to be a pretty good President, but he’s played the system too many ways to get anyone looking for credibility to actually *believe* whatever he’s saying *today.*
Fredrick of Hollywood? Wake him up when he doesn’t get the nomination.
So I’ll take the cynic route for a moment. Chances are Americans will be faced with the not-favorite Democrat (Hillary) versus the not-favorite Republic (McCain).
I’m generally in favor of the democratic process of primaries and caucuses, but there’s a lot of evidence that old-time smoke-filled-rooms did a better job (Truman, FDR, Eisenhower, Stevenson, etc.) selecting presidential candidates.
When Benjamin Franklin walked out of the final session of the Constitutional Convention a woman asked him what kind of government they’d contrived. “A republic,” he said, “if you can keep it.”
Every presidential election since then has been a threat to Franklin’s challenge. 2008 probably won’t be any different.
Nathan (or any of my conservative friends):When was the last time any perceived “front runner” at this point in the presidential race actually won the nomination?As much as I respect Sen. Clinton, I’m not ready to coronate her. Polls of people WHO ACTUALLY SHOW UP TO CAUCUSES have her in fourth place.We’ll talk about front runners the morning of Jan. 4.
I have been surprised that more Repubs here hadn’t gotten behind Huckabee. He has an incedible personal story. He was overweight and on diabetes medication, when he decided to lose weight – which he did. He was able to stop taking his diabetes medication and ran his first marathon at the age of 47.
I read this story in of all places Bill Clinton’s most recent book – _Giving_: (subtitle I am now forgetting).
Huckabee is a Baptist minister who as governor pardoned Keith Richards for a traffic violation. The guy should be doing a lot better among the Republicans. What is this nonsense with Giuliani as a Republican candidate? I’m still not getting that one.
Mr. C.Hillary will lose Iowa, win in New Hampshire and South Carolina. The Hill will also take Collyfornia. I was thinking she was inevitable. That may not be the case, but she will do well even if she loses out.
Steven,NH is Clinton’s best chance of the first four. Look at the calendar, and it does not favor her.Iowa-caucus.NHNevada-caucus.SC-Southern state primaryTsunami Tuesday-Clinton could take NY, Obama could take CA, Edwards looks better in most of the other states (KS, OK, MO, AR and the Old South)
Well it goes without saying I would NEVER vote Republican again. I made that mistake once with Reagan. Fool me once, etc.
I’ll say it anyway. No way in hell I’d vote for a Republican.
Senator Clinton? I don’t like the dynasty thing. I think she can do more good in the Senate.
Obama. I don’t think somone should get to be President because he made ONE good speech. I also don’t like him snarling and snapping at Senator Clinton. The enemy is on the OTHER side of the aisle.
Ditto Edwards. His debate assault against Senator Clinton was just as shameful. Too, he is to damn rich too damn easy to be too very sincere.
Richardson? I’m sick of Republican lite. Bill Clinton was the best Republican president we’ve had since Eisenhower. And Richardson is NO Bill Clinton.
Dodd? I don’t know anything about him. There’s a reason for that. He isn’t interesting.
Most folks I talk to who have seen the debates like what Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel have had to say. They ARE pointed in the right direction. And yeah bush aint running again. bush is irrelevant anyway. Those who made him they ARE very much running. They just haven’t picked their puppet yet. I think it was supposed to be Fred but they can’t pump enough nodoze into him. McCain has no dignity. They MIGHT test pulling his strings.
The right are sound bit, shiny object folk. Maybe they won’t HAVE a turd they can shine up enough to get attention. Their best hope is Ron Paul. But he is off message on the one big shiny object in the
mideast. Ya can’t win from the middle of a circular firing squad.
i wonder if / when the tabloid stories are started on thompson
lots of groupies in hollywood that just love shacking up with a big star
it will be a dirty campaign —- nothing changes
J R my friend,You don’t know Senator Edwards. My first impression of him–seven years ago–is why I’m supporting him.He, Trent Lott, George Allen and Daniel Inouye are the only Washington politicians I’ve ever met who didn’t begin the conversation with, “So… who’s got the money on your side?”
“I’m generally in favor of the democratic process of primaries and caucuses, but there’s a lot of evidence that old-time smoke-filled-rooms did a better job (Truman, FDR, Eisenhower, Stevenson, etc.) selecting presidential candidates.”Moneyhawk
Amen!!
Here’s a clue. They may be fractured now but faced with Hitlary or Obama-sama they will all come together.
Unlike liberals, conservative and religious voters don’t march in lockstep. They do however vote and they will vote for the person who most closely articulates positions in line with their core beliefs. Which makes them NO different than any one else in this country. We all vote for the person whose ideals conform with our own.
That’s why there was a revolution in the first place. We wanted a government composed of our ideas and interests. We didn’t want others making decisions for us, whose ideals and opinions where diametrically opposed to ours, and we wanted a system of government in which we could change those in power if they no longer served the interests of the majority of the people.
So every four years we vote, the libs, the neo-cons, the poor, the rich, the educated, the ignorant. Why in some districts in Chicago and Baltimore even the dead vote (sometimes twice).
With all it’s problems people are still running, sneaking, and dying to come here. There must be a reason, and it’s not Denny’s Grand Slam or Starbucks, Double Macciado Frappicino. (neither of which are in my spell checker)
Perhaps sean; and perhaps Democrats are ‘fractured’ among Hillary, Obama, Edwards, etc. But when we are faced with any of the GOP choices we will come together. It is not a matter of ‘lock-step’ but rather the reasoned determination that Bush has done incalculable harm to America and the GOP candidates all (except Paul) seem to be promising more of the same.