Careful, Fred - Updated, Thompson Camp Clarifies

I like Fred Thompson, I really do. If I had to vote for a Republican nominee right now, he would probably be the one I'd cast my ballot for.

But this:

Showing his conservative stripes, Thompson said he would push for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and would overturn Roe v. Wade.

...will probably cost him more centrists than it will win him conservatives.

And another thing. For a "Federalist," who has written about excessive legislation by the government, does he really need to be advocating more legislation (on social issues, no less), and even a constitutional amendment?

I am not gay, nor am I particularly supportive of the idea of abortion, generally. I suppose Fred's angle is to built momentum and solidify his conservative credentials before he announces his candidacy. He probably also knows a constitutional ban on gay marriage would almost certainly never pass, just as overturning Roe v. Wade would be daunting to say the least. So he can declare his intentions, knowing neither will likely ever get past Congress.

But still... come on, Fred.

Update:

Hey, this is Jon Henke, from the Fred Thompson team. I'm afraid CNN has mischaracterized Thompson's comment.

For the record, the Thompson camp has officially noted that "Fred Thompson does not support a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage." He supports the rights of States to choose their marriage law for themselves.

The Thompson camp just issued this statement:

In an interview with CNN today, former Senator Fred Thompson’s position on constitutional amendments concerning gay marriage was unclear.

Thompson believes that states should be able to adopt their own laws on marriage consistent with the views of their citizens.

He does not believe that one state should be able to impose its marriage laws on other states, or that activist judges should construe the constitution to require that.

If necessary, he would support a constitutional amendment prohibiting states from imposing their laws on marriage on other states.

Fred Thompson does not support a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.