Thompson Trouble

According to an AP report this past weekend, former Senator Fred Thompson (R-TN) is considering entering the GOP presidential race. Thompson would be a formidable opponent. He is a powerful speaker, has experience, and he obviously has the star power lacking in any of the current GOP candidates. At first blush he may seem to be the lesser of the evils if you have to have a Republican president. He may even seem to be as good as a conservative Democrat. The problem with Thompson, however, is that when you look at his views, he can't even be considered a moderate Republican (if such a thing even exists anymore). According to the story, Thompson:

_Is "pro-life," and believes federal judges should overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision as "bad law and bad medical science."

_Opposes gay marriage, but would let states decide whether to allow civil unions. "Marriage is between a man and a woman, and judges shouldn't be allowed to change that."

_Supports the escalation in Iraq. He says that mistakes happen in war, and you rectify things, which he thinks is what we are doing now.

_Opposes gun control, and praised last week's 2-1 federal appeals decision overturning a long-standing handgun ban. "The court basically said the Constitution means what it says, and I agree with that."

_Would pardon former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby's conviction for perjury and obstruction of justice now, rather than waiting until all his appeals are exhausted. Thompson is a fundraiser for Libby's defense.

I guess I was lulled by his booming voice and his forceful presence into thinking that he is something that he is not. I even voted for him when he ran for the senate. But Thompson, if elected, and if he holds to his current views, could be not only one of most conservative presidents that we have had but also one of the most persuasive and effective. He could be Bush with a brain and a silver tongue. And that could be real trouble.

- Jeff Bloomfield