Many on the Christian right are taking a hard look at Fred "The Tennessee Stud" Thompson, and wondering just how much enthusiasm they can muster for the man. Recent articles chronicle a clear desire for a Republican candidate who, like George W. Bush before him, will trod the well-worn path that non-believer Karl Rove cut in the ticket separating politics from religion. So, is Thompson their man?
Indeed, the subject of religion came up a lot yesterday on the campaign trail, and I'm happy to report that Thompson doesn't seem to have much of an appetite for it. From the AP:
Republican presidential contender Fred Thompson, who has based his campaign on appealing to conservative voters, said he isn't a regular churchgoer and doesn't plan to speak about his religion on the stump...Good for him. A return to a Ronald Reagan-like skepticism of wearing your religion on your sleeve has certainly been long in coming. Still, one has to wonder a little at Mr. Thompson's rather self-assured take on his current standing with God.
Talking to reporters later, Thompson, a former Tennesse senator, said his church attendance "varies."
"I attend church when I'm in Tennesse. I'm in McLean right now," he said referring to the Virginia suburb of Washington, D.C., where he lives. "I don't attend regularly when I'm up there."
"I know that I'm right with God and the people I love," he said in Greenville. It's "just the way I am not to talk about some of these things."Funny to hear someone talk about subjects that they aren't one to talk about. And I am interested to know how he knows that he's right with God. Is that like God telling George Bush that invading Iraq was the right thing to do? Small questions, I guess. The larger issue remains that James Dobson and his throngs of hard-core Christian voters still don't have their poster-child.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. I hope Thompson sticks to his guns on this. I agree we need a return to the days of candidates being private about their faith. I am tired of people like James Dobson and Pat Robertson thinking they own this country. But let's face it - no candidate would EVER be religious enough for them, except possibly Sen. Sam Brownback. Fortunatley, Brownback doesn't stand a chance at the presidency. Good thing too - he has made some repulsive remarks about gay people and in the last debate stated he wants a consitutional amendment to stop abortion.
Any candiate that refers to himself as "God's Senator" (as Brownback has) needs to be a preacher, not a president.
David S. at 11:26AM on Sep 12th 2007
2. It's better for the Nation to have a trained President not acting like a President.Solution? Vote Mitt Romney.
KaM at 3:54PM on Sep 12th 2007
3. I'm very ok with the way Fred is handling the "religion" issue. I wish he went to church more often, but I'm still OK with who he is.
VETERANS are still signing up for him at:
http://Vets4Fred.net
opditch at 5:22PM on Sep 12th 2007
4. Faith is the most important thing our next President really needs to have. IF by faith we mean to say a close personal relationship with God. Unholy factors are speaking of and promoting what they call a holy war. We need someone that understands the spiriual side of these so called political movements. Afterall even Satanism is a spiritual religion. Yes, it is VERY important that our leaders have serious knowledge and personal practice of true faith. Vets,remember:"God-Country-Honor"
Larry at 5:53PM on Sep 12th 2007
5. In the end only Fred Thomson responsible for bringing people vote for him and thats the nail in his coffin.
Realities at 3:15PM on Sep 13th 2007
6. I believe that it is about time to see someone like him. He said what he believes and that is what this country needs.
Natalie at 7:02PM on Sep 17th 2007
7. I don't understand why religion is such a controversial subject in this nation. This nation was founded on the basis of religious freedom meaning as the citizens wanted to practice religion and not having a "state" or government church as England had and as other countries in Europe had. Christianity is who America is. Why do we want to do away with it.
Mary at 9:21PM on Sep 17th 2007
8. woohoo for Fred~
James Dobson ROCKS too~
the contract...John 3:16
Mea at 11:32AM on Sep 18th 2007
9. We need Christians in office, in order to get "back to our basic foundation of faith, and what our country was built on, The Godly principles of the Ten Commandments". We need strong Christian leadership.
Jim at 1:12AM on Sep 19th 2007
10. As long as Fred and God are okay with each other, I guess they're okay with me, But what'cha gonna do about Allah?, It's a more serious question than it appears to be.
Dan at 10:48AM on Sep 20th 2007