Cameron again did not mention Thompson's conflicting views on abortion
On the June 28 edition of Fox News' Special Report with Brit Hume, Fox News chief political correspondent Carl Cameron again did not mention evidence that former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-TN) has taken conflicting positions on abortion since 1993. During an "exclusive national interview" with Thompson, who has strongly indicated that he will seek the Republican presidential nomination, Cameron asserted that "some say he is not pro-life enough" but did not note his inconsistent reported statements. As Media Matters for America noted, Cameron claimed on May 31 that Thompson is "consistently pro-life."
Indeed, rather than note the inconsistent statements Thompson has reportedly made on abortion, Cameron allowed him to claim that the National Right to Life Committee was the "only one[] who came down and sat down and interviewed" Thompson about abortion at the time. But as Media Matters noted in response to Cameron's May 31 claim, Thompson had given other interviews that covered his views on the subject of abortion. The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported on July 29, 1993, that Thompson said during an interview that he "supports the Supreme Court's Roe vs. Wade decision that established a constitutional right to abortion." In contrast with that report, Thompson spokesman Mike Corallo told the Nashville Tennessean in a written statement for a June 10 article that Thompson "believes Roe v. Wade ... should be overturned."
Additionally, on June 10, The Tennessean reported that it had found documents in Thompson's Senate archive at the University of Tennessee indicating "he has previously taken positions that could be viewed as tolerating abortion." The Tennessean reported that Thompson included "a handwritten clarification" on a 1996 Christian Coalition survey that said, "I do not believe abortion should be criminalized. This battle will be won in the hearts and souls of the American people." The Tennessean also reported:
In 1996, asked by the Memphis group FLARE (Family, Life, America, Responsible Education Under God Inc.) if human life begins at conception, Thompson circled "N/A."
As Media Matters noted, The New York Sun's Latest Politics Blog reported on May 7 that Thompson indicated in a 1994 Project Vote Smart questionnaire that he believed "[a]bortions should be legal in all circumstances as long as the procedure is completed within the first trimester of the pregnancy" (while also indicating his support for numerous restrictions).
The Tennessean reported that "Thompson and his small campaign staff say he has never supported abortion rights" and that Thompson said on June 5 that "I've always thought that Roe v. Wade was a wrong decision." Both statements contrast with the 1993 Commerical Appeal report that Thompson "supports ... Roe vs. Wade." As The Tennessean noted, Thompson was quoted in an April Weekly Standard article asserting: "Although I don't remember it, I must have said something to someone as I was getting my campaign started that led to a story. Apparently, another story was based upon that story, and then another was based upon that, concluding I was pro-choice."
From the June 28 edition of Fox News' Special Report with Brit Hume:
CAMERON: After lunch, the obligatory interview with the only statewide newspaper in New Hampshire, the conservative Union Leader, which has made and broken Republican presidential candidates for 50 years. Then he joined Fox News for an exclusive national interview in which he insisted he was not running as an outsider.
[...]
CAMERON: As he climbs in the polls, criticism mounts. Some say he's not pro-life enough.
THOMPSON: I got the National Right to Life endorsement in 1994 when I first ran. They were the only ones who came down and sat down and interviewed me at the time. And I had a full discussion with them. And then I proceeded to cast 100 percent votes in the anti-abortion fashion.
CAMERON: And after talking to the folks at Riley's Guns, he made clear that on gun rights, the contrast to [Republican presidential candidates Rudy] Giuliani and [Mitt] Romney matters.
Why is everybody worried about Fred Thompson?
He's an old, bald-headed duffer who's not too bright, and falls asleep alot.
...while behind the wheel of his red pickup truck.
Yeah but Bush fell asleep at the wheel of America. He crashed the U.S into 911 backed up and rammed the rear end into Iraq. He turned the wheel again and drove us through the illegal wire tapping toxic waste pond and man does that stink. Then he rolled America into the corrupted DOJ ditch.
If the above isn't bad enough he hasn't told us yet that he borrowed the car from China aka tax cut.
Wasn't the U.S. one of the most desirable models the world over just a few years ago? Now nobody's buying, and they can't even give it away. We've been parking it on the driveway of Iraq with the trunk stuffed full of money for 4 years now and they've made it pretty clear that they're not interested. Sometimes you have to recognize there's no sale.
Nice analogies, Pete and Harlequin. Very apt.
Inconsistent...bullcrap. Whatever position Thompson had prior to 1993 is different that his position over the last 14 years.
I dare mmfa or anyone else to find a non pro-life action in the last 14 years by Thompson.
A puny effort by Brian Levy and mmfa to distort the facts and pander to their liberal base...you know...and I know it.
I guess that handwritten clarification in 1996 would be post-1993.
Now, he's totally anti-choice. I just wish we'd have a Con who would stand up and be honest: Say it loud and proud: "I want to overturn Roe v. Wade! Ladies, get out your coat-hangers."
And then, if the votes are counted correctly, we can send this conservative back to whatever state he came from, and rid our nation for 50 years of the stench of conservatism.
You regressives are the ones that got everyone all hot and bothered about flip-flopping. Now you want a pass? Nope. You're a bunch of hypocrites.
Thompson doesn't pass the smell test
He's a flip flopper like all the rest
He's in good company
With Mitt and Guilliani
Is this really the RNC's best?
Juliajayne, BRAVO!!!!!
Thanks, Pearlene. I enjoy your posts very much.
"Whatever position Thompson had prior to 1993 is different that his position over the last 14 years" - Wesley
Thats kinda like you know........... THE POINT.
What? Another right-wing rapist-wanna-be who would use the laws to force their ways into our women's wombs and make them breed more slaves for the War God? Nah, can't be.
Fred is no different then any Dem or Rep who ever uttered the words" While personally I would never have or encourage an abortion, I want to see Roe v Wade stay legal." Its attempting to talk out of both sides of their mouths. Fred is latest in a long line of cowards who do not wish to have a solid stand on the issue.