Thompson Flip Flops on Abortion!
Fred Thompson said he could not re-call being a lobbyist for the pro-choice groups, National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, and added he “does not remember” ever having been pro-choice! The only problem is, Fred Thompson forgot what he said in this televised debate about being pro-choice.
I can’t wait to hear how Fred Thompson supporters spin this video!
FYI
From TPM CAFE
By Eric Kleefeld
Here’s a key moment from last night that has gone entirely unnoticed: GOP Presidential hopeful Fred Thompson, who didn’t participate in the debate but was interviewed on Fox News aferwards, dissembled badly about his abortion record to Sean Hannity.
Thompson claimed to Hannity that he’s “always” thought Roe v. Wade is “wrong.” In fact, he’s supported it in the past. More after the jump.
Here’s the key excerpt from Thompson’s interview with Hannity:
HANNITY: One is when you checked a box in 1994 when you were running for Senate, where you — the box said, “Abortion should be legal in all circumstances for the first three months.” That wasn’t your voting record, interestingly. Did you make a mistake checking the box?
THOMPSON: I don’t remember that box. You know, it was a long time ago, and I don’t know if I filled it out or my staff, based on what they thought my position was, filled it out.
But here’s what the deal is on that. I’ve always thought that Roe v. Wade was a wrong decision, that they usurped what had been the law in this country for 200 years, that it was a matter that should go back to the states. When you get back to the states, I think the states should have some leeway.
Got that? Thompson said clearly that he’s always opposed Roe v. Wade and that he thinks states should make these legal decisions.
But that clearly wasn’t his view at all in the past. As Media Matters pointed out a few days ago in a slightly different context:
“In fact, on July 29, 1993, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported that Thompson, then running for a Tennessee U.S. Senate seat, said during an interview that he “supports the Supreme Court’s Roe vs. Wade decision that established a constitutional right to abortion.” In an October 21, 1994, article, The Washington Post similarly reported that “both” Thompson and his Democratic opponent in the 1994 Senate race, then-Rep. Jim Cooper, “believe in legal abortion.”
We’ve double checked those quotes in Nexis and they’re all accurate.
Now, it’s possible that Thompson is genuinely against Roe v. Wade, and is or was pro-choice to some extent but ultimately thinks or thought states should have the decision-making power. On the other hand, his public pro-Roe v. Wade stance in the 1994 campaign is plain to see.
So when did Thompson stop supporting Roe v. Wade, and why? And will the media let Thompson keep saying that he’s “always” been against Roe v. Wade without calling him on it?
FYI
From NBC’s Mark Murray
In the same interview last weekend in which he admitted to thinking about a possible White House bid, former Sen. Fred Thompson (R) also said he’s pro-life and would like to see Roe v. Wade overturned. In past interviews and news clippings, however, Thompson was identified as being pro-choice and against making early-term abortions a crime — although he did favor strict limits on abortion (like parental notification, being against partial-birth abortion, and being opposed to the federal funding of abortions).
Pro-life Thompson
WALLACE: … So let’s do a lightning round — quick questions, quick answers, a variety of issues — to see where Fred Thompson stands.
THOMPSON: Um hmm.
WALLACE: Abortion.
THOMPSON: Pro-life.
WALLACE: Would you like to overturn Roe…
THOMPSON: You said lightning round, now. If you want…
WALLACE: Well, let’s go.
THOMPSON: … more, give me another question. I’ll work through it.
WALLACE: Do you want to overturn Roe vs. Wade?
THOMPSON: I think Roe vs. Wade was bad law and bad medical science. And the way to address that is through good judges. I don’t think the court ought to wake up one day and make new social policy for the country. It’s contrary to what it’s been the past 200 years. (Fox News Sunday, 3/11/07)
Pro-choice Thompson?
Both [Thompson and Houston Gordon] also are basically pro-choice on abortion although Thompson has voted to bar federal funding of abortions. Both candidates said they would have voted to override Clinton’s veto of a bill this year that would have banned a controversial partial-birth abortion procedure. (Memphis Commercial Appeal, 11/4/96)
U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson says he seldom hears about abortion in campaign travels throughout Tennessee and hopes the issue is downplayed at the Republican National Convention. The Tennessee Republican, a pro-choice defender in a party with an anti-abortion tilt, is preparing for next week’s convention in San Diego. He said the party must avoid distracting issues and focus on electing Bob Dole as president. “We need to concentrate on what brings us together and not what divides us,” Thompson said in an interview with The Tennessean published Tuesday. Thompson said he opposes making early-term abortions a crime, as some Republicans would like to do with a constitutional amendment. “But I don’t think you should bolt on one issue. I’m still not convinced platforms are a good idea. We know what we believe in and I don’t think we need to write it all down in a document,” Thompson said. (AP, 8/6/96)
On abortion, both Thompson and Cooper are pro-choice. But Thompson favors parental notification, Cooper voted against it. (National Review, 6/27/94)
Though Thompson says he’s pro-choice, his voting record on abortion issues (which includes opposing fellow Tennessean Henry Foster’s nomination for surgeon general) has earned him high marks from both the Christian Coalition and the National Right to Life Committee. He has also won the backing of the tobacco industry and the NRA. (Washington Monthly, 12/1/96)
Good ol’ Fred flip flopped on Nixon, too.
I was very happy to read that in the Nixon tapes, Thompson is regarded as “stupid”…
Let’s face it. He was a shill who would screw over anyone he had to in order to make a name for himself. I’m throughly disgusted by this man’s history.
He needs to be buried in this race! If somehow this goon ends up with the nomination, it will be as clear a sign as any that the Republican Party needs to die.
This is the best hit piece you have on Fred Thompson John?? If the LA Times prints it, then there can be no doubt it is true…LMAO!
http://www.myspace.com/inflationnationband
Check out Steve Dore’s campaign songs for Ron Paul. Vote for the doctor who loves babies. Afterall, he has delivered over 4,000. Join a Meetup Group, while you are online and get involved with the campaign.
I just emailed Freedom Alliance as a Georgia Marine Mom and told them that it is wrong to use the military and a 501c status to advance the political agenda of Mr. Hannity and Mr. North and the Fox News Network aka Rupert Murdock by introducing Fred Thompson to the crowd. As a matter of fact, I know longer support Freedom Alliance. I make my donations to the USO.
“I no longer support.”
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=188563357&MyToken=a65ea18f-0085-4c31-a378-2f7dfaa49840
I think this link will work for Steve Dore and his Ron Paul campaign songs. My Space is messed up, and I think it is Murdock Conspiracy. Could be? Right?
Wow, I am sorry that this link is so spread out, John. I should not have copied and pasted this mess. Perhaps you can delete it.
But the link works. Just click the first line, really the songs are great!
[...] WWE Link to Article fred thompson Thompson Flip Flops on Abortion! » Posted at Control Congress on Monday, July 09, 2007 Fred Thompson said he could not re-call being a lobbyist for the pro-choice groups, National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, and added he “does not remember” ever having been pro-choice! The only problem is, Fred Thompson … Fred Thompson supporters spin this video! View Entire Article » [...]
“Too many good docs are gettin’ out of business.
[PAUSE]
Too many OBGYNs aren’t able to practice their, their love with women all across this country.” ~ President George W. Bush
Bush/Cheney `08
Bart
How is this video a hit piece?
Fred’s great…I think?
http://www.ImWithFredT.com