Mitt Romney for President My Man Mitt: Fred Thompson: Abortion Lobbyist

The title is supposed to be dramatic. For effect.

You see for months Romney has taken it on the chin for his previous stances on abortion. Whether it was RedState's Erick Erickson abandoning all hope for Romney because of his wife's paltry donation to Planned Parenthood. Or EyeOn08's outrage over supposed "lies" from the Romney camp about abortion. Or Joe Carter casting his vote elsewhere because of the dog incident. But the outrage apparently stops only at just at Romney's door.

Today, the New York Times confirms that Fred Thompson worked as a legal advisor and lobbyist for an abortion group:

According to records from Arent Fox, the law firm based in Washington where Mr. Thompson worked part-time from 1991 to 1994, he charged the organization, the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, about $5,000 for work he did in 1991 and 1992. The records show that Mr. Thompson, a probable Republican candidate for president in 2008, spent much of that time in telephone conferences with the president of the group, and on three occasions he reported lobbying administration officials on its behalf.

Romney's sins were verbal for the most part, paying homage to a constituency that was overwhelmingly pro-abortion but demonstrating a strong voting record in favor of pro-life stances. Apparently, Fred was a working lobbyist for abortion advocates.

Three points here

1) In my book, I really don't care. I wouldn't vote for or against Fred because of this fact.

2) I do care that the Thompson camp has denied the fact.

2) I do care about the strange hypocrisy that many find themselves in: dissing Romney over abortion and rallying to Fred's side with a blind eye to the past.

3) The shoot-from-the-hip bombs we've been throwing at each other are indeed coming back to haunt us (I don't excuse myself from this criticism).

It's not pretty.... but I guess, that's politics.

Labels: fred thompson


	4 Comments: I know that I’m going to offend some on the right when I say this about Fred Thompson. Before I go there, let me say that outside of politics, I like Fred Thompson a lot. I know enough about him politically through his small and bleak record as a Senator to know that he’s not the right guy. As an actor he’s awesome. I saw him first in Hunt for Red October and a couple of other roles and everytime I saw him I thought “wow, he looks like a cool guy.” He has that down to Earth grandpa look about him. One that for sure makes me feel like he knows you when he meets you but I’m sorry, it’s not going to work in Presidential politics. Now to the offensive part for some - Religion, the GOP, and Fred Thompson. I think Fred Thompson provides cover for two groups - Southern Evangelical Christians who just can’t find it within themselves to vote for a Mormon and mainstream GOP politicos who think the same way only from a political bent that a Mormon can’t win. I mean why else would someone who has no platform, no message, and no real executive history be rolled out as the TRUE CONSERVATIVE? Before Fred, Rudy someone who is staunchly a Social Liberal was polling high against someone who has been married for 38 years, doesn’t drink, smoke, or seem to have any extraordinary vices. Has 5 sons all of whom are very family oriented like their Dad and still he doesn’t poll well among CHRISTIANS…what gives? The Draft Fred movement for me is not that big of a mystery. Now I read today on Politico, that realistically Thompson may be inclined to announce somewhere in August after the debate because as his people are saying, “they (Thompson advisors) realize how searing the scrutiny will be and want to be ready. And they want to have more of their staff in place. Thompson has to convince skeptics he’s ready for the race and ready for the job . . .” Was this “Draft Fred” movement not prepared for this? As I remember it, before Romney jumped in they were already labeling him a “Flip-Flopper” then after he announced, they put a video out about his being essentially “Pro-Choice”, he jumped on it to say “yeah I was wrong and now this is where I’m at.” Didn’t see a Draft Romney movement after that. Again it’s all about message. Thompson will fade and we’ll see who the mainstream GOP pols and Evangelicals run to after that. Do I hear a Draft Gingrich movement? Evangelicals and the mainstream GOP pols are going to have to eventually face the reality that Romney is the one to get behind…the question is will they? By Anonymous, at July 19, 2007 at 9:28 AM Anonymous, Excellent post. You are right on. There really is not other conceivable explanation. Romney is right on all issues. He is aligned almsot perfectly w/Evangelicals on social policy and his track record it unparrallel. Yet, significant Evangelical groups are pushing for Fred, who has no message and almost no relevant experience? Unspoken anti-Mormon bigotry is the only answer. Hopefully these folks will wake up after Fred's rapid deflation. By Slick-Willy, at July 19, 2007 at 11:22 AM If Mitt were a Methodist rather than a Mormon he would be leading the race. I am shocked at the bigotry of people and groups I USED to admire. By Anonymous, at July 19, 2007 at 6:02 PM Romney's multiple personality on issues such as abortion is also staggering. He vastly expanded taxpayer-funded abortions-on-demand via his much-lauded 2006 universal health care program, as the following article demonstrates: http://www.helmsmansociety.com/Issues/2007/mittromney072507.htm By dnewby, at July 26, 2007 at 2:33 PM Post a Comment