US News is reporting today on Fred Thompson's public advocacy for Scooter Libby:
In a move that suggests he's not worried that backing convicted perjurer Lewis "Scooter" Libby will hurt his presidential chances, former Sen. Fred Thompson is planning to host several fundraisers to help the former Cheney aide pay his legal fees.That's one way to put it. You might also say that Fred Thompson isn't actually running for president although he is the focus of an intense draft movement. One might also note that many many Republicans are in favor of a pardon and that this position actually helps Thompson's chances if he were running.
But it's also clear that Fred Thompson is closely connected to Libby and considers the whole thing a travesty from top to bottom. and has gone on record for a pardon of Libby. So whether or not he runs for president is clearly incidental. The previous AP report makes it clear that no decision will come sooner than this summer in any case.
What I wonder is that if Fred Thompson, with his newfound popularity and threat to enter the race, can move the other GOP candidates toward his position on a pardon for Libby. Giuliani is reportedly cool to the idea of a pardon and McCain has stayed mum.
Reader Comments ( Page 3 of 6)
31. Fred Thompson:
Another Republican supporting members of an administration who abhors the truth. They lie even when the truth won't hurt them.
Nick Bane at 8:11PM on Mar 14th 2007
32. Thompson is right. The Scooter incident is a travesty. Nothing more than polital pay-back by the left wing lunatics of the Democratic party for the Clinton impeachment. Pathetic.
lasalle345 at 6:11PM on Mar 14th 2007
33. Lets face it, when Clinton lied he did not jeopardize peoples lives. He used extremely bad judgment. And as for lying I can honestly say the Republicans get the LIONS SHARE. They wave their banner and exclaim. Do as I say not as I do.
zsuzsanna at 6:14PM on Mar 14th 2007
34. Libby did not disclose any thing on mrs Plain. And ms Plain was not an operative at the time of her name being disclosed. Libby only lied about what he did or did not remember. Ms Plains idenity was disclosed by another person and the prosecutor knew this all the time.
Keith at 10:33AM on Mar 15th 2007
35. And by the way, Fred Thompson was a senator from Tennessee, and did an execelent job.
Keith at 10:32AM on Mar 15th 2007
36. It figures, folks are arguing about Dems and Reps when they have both put themselves above the law and the voter. we need to give everybody in Washington a pink slip next time, everybody!! I feel like a libraterian right now
chevybelair57sd at 6:22PM on Mar 14th 2007
37. All lies are not the same. When it unjustly destroys someones life and ability to earning potentials and also may enable others to die. It is great traversty. It is obvious you do not understand the difference between Libby and Clinton.
zsuzsanna at 6:26PM on Mar 14th 2007
38. Fred Thompson is head and shoulders above any of the current crop. Vote Fred.
Mitch Smith at 9:14AM on Mar 15th 2007
39. Senator Thompson is a man of principles, ethics, and high standards. I do hope that he will enter the race for President as he will be a positive factor in improving the current sorry state of US Politics. There are so many in the Republic, such as Move on Dot Org, that are clueless of actual events and realities and are only motivated by the venom of their hate and vitriol. May all hearts find peace and solace within themselves.
Mark at 6:30PM on Mar 14th 2007
40. Hoorah! Hoorah! Fred must have gotten tired of actually working in Hollywood or wherever..., again, and now he just wants a steady gig with all the freebies a Congressman/woman can rake into their sack. "We The People"...keep taking it on the shin or backside and so we must ask ourselves, "When will we hold the elected ones accountable?" Inside the DC-Beltway, it's a different world...A New World Order, where deception, lying, winking, and looking the other way is their way of life? They just want to keep their gig because they really don't want to have to work for a living...that's just not in their character. Man, do I miss Johnny Carson.
Bubba at 6:57PM on Mar 14th 2007
41. There are three Republicans with balls. One already running and two may be's . Duncan hunter, Fred Thompson and Newt Gingrich.
Terry at 6:51PM on Mar 14th 2007
42. Of course, Scooter is taking the fall for his bosses, but that doesn't mean he isn't guilty too. He deserves everything he's getting except a pardon from a so-called pres, who was appointed the first round voter "frauded in" (fixed Ohio vote) round 2. So that makes me wonder: What does Scooter have on Fred Thompson?
berthavenus at 1:45AM on Mar 15th 2007
43. no way he should be pardon. he broke the law, did'nt he. he should the price just like everyone else.
michael edwards at 7:02PM on Mar 14th 2007
44. I think Fred Thompson should run for President, he is the best of the GOP mix. I like Rudy if he were a little more socially conservative instead of just fiscally conservative. If Thompson doesn't run, Rudy might be the only pick....that would take alot of soul searching, not sure if I could vote for someone who is for gay marriage and abortion. As far as Libby, he should be pardoned and so should the border guards. I will be quite upset with Bush if he doesn't pardon them all. And I am a hard core Bush supporter. I have written to the white house to express my views. With this war on terror we need a no nonsense President that will be very tough on terror. We do not need a cut and run democrat. They don't have the guts to stick with a war that is an absolute necessity. If we do not win this war on terror, America as we know it is gone.
candy at 7:05PM on Mar 14th 2007
45. Who said that movie stars don't make good politicians? Ronald Reagan was not such a bad thing to happen to this country. I would vote for Fred Thompson for Presdent tomorrow if I could. I really think he would look after our interest as a US citizens.
The previous polititians have sold us down the river as far as looking out for our country's citizens.
(1)They have voted in favor for the large corporations to ship all the jobs overseas.
(2)They turn their backs by refusing to realize that we have a crisis on our hands with illegal immigration stepping accross our borders on a daily basis.
(3)They have gave false pretense to invlove us in a war in Iraq that now no one can understand just what the hell our true goals are at this point.
(4)They continue to accept the gifts from lobyist which should be against this country's laws.
(5)They have all forgotten about issues such as social security & healthcare. We will here about that soon as 2008 elections roll around.
(6) What about accountability? Our politicians have all but lost their fear of accountability. As long as you have the two party system, blame it on the other party that you are not affiliated with.
Summary;
I am sick of what our political system has become! I have tried to be a patriotic citizen by making my vote count. What it really boils down to is that none of our votes count if we do not hold our polititians accountable. This country has to get mad and start voting these guys and gals out of office. Then one day our vote will count. At this point evryone is just trying to vote between the less evils!
Dennis at 7:10PM on Mar 14th 2007