How... "progressive"

The CarpetBagger Report, a professed liberal blog site, has some not-so-progressive rhetoric aimed at presidential candidate Fred Thompson:

"Thompson... looks like Shrek with liver spots. That may be enough to do him in."

I was under the impression that the left was supposed to be the bastion of acceptance, and prided themselves on being less dismissive, tolerant and ignorant of others than their conservative foes.

Then again, this comes from the same site which accused conservative bloggers of hyping the terror threat, only to turn around days later and complain that Bush was not doing enough to combat the growing terror threat.

Hypocrisy.

Liberal Wisdom

The CarpetBagger Report on Fred Thompson:

"the poor guy doesn’t know very much, particularly on matters of national significance."

Surely a man who has: practiced law for some 30+ years, including stints as an assistant U.S. Attorney, worked as a campaign manager for a U.S. Senator, served as White House counsel, investigated presidents and civil servants (including Watergate), who is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and a Visiting Fellow with the American Enterprise Institute, and who served 9 years in the United States Senate can be expected to know a little about "matters of national significance."

CarpetBagger, a liberal blogger, from my (shudder) own Democratic party, who promotes political novices such as John Edwards and Barack Obama, not to mention a one-and-a-quarter-term Hillary Clinton, displays some profound ignorance and hypocrisy with the claim that Thompson "doesn't know very much."

Question the man's positions or his politcal views, call him a conservative or right-wing, but he's not stupid.

Stupid is telling your voters to throw away their SUV's when you own more than a few.

Ignorant is calling for a withdrawal from Iraq, but an attack on ally Pakistan.

The NYT On Fred Thompson

There's a little something in there for everyone, I suppose:

Over time, as Mr. Thompson traversed the highly politicized terrain of the Congressional investigations that built his off-screen career, he evolved from a man primarily cast as a defender of Republican interests to one whose fair-mindedness would win praise from Democrats and incur the wrath of the Republican leadership.

and

But the White House’s worries were quickly set to rest by the man the Senate had chosen to get to the bottom of the matter, Fred D. Thompson. In July 1981, just one day into his job as special counsel to the Senate Intelligence Committee, Mr. Thompson assured the White House that there was no “smoking gun,” documents show. He had yet to interview a single witness.

The Corner has more.

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.

The NY Times on Cuban Healthcare

‘Sicko,’ Castro and the ‘120 Years Club’

Having practiced medicine in both Cuba and the United States, Dr. Cordova has an unusual perspective for comparison.

“Actually there are three systems,” Dr. Cordova said, because Cuba has two: one is for party officials and foreigners like those Mr. Moore brought to Havana. “It is as good as this one here, with all the resources, the best doctors, the best medicines, and nobody pays a cent,” he said. But for the 11 million ordinary Cubans, hospitals are often ill equipped and patients “have to bring their own food, soap, sheets — they have to bring everything.” And up to 20,000 Cuban doctors may be working in Venezuela, creating a shortage in Cuba.

It seems Mr. Moore hasn't checked his sources very well. But Fred Thompson has.

Mount Suribachi

From Townhall.com:

Dogtags and pins placed by United States soldiers decorate a signboard at the United States Marine Corps Landing Memorial on top of Mount Suribachi, Iwo-Jima in this December 13, 2006 file photo, the site of a fierce battle between Japanese and United States forces for control of airfields on the island during World War II. Iwo Jima and its airfields were the prize the United States needed so that fighter planes could escort bombers all the way to Tokyo. The Japanese knew they had no hope of victory, but to delay the U.S. victory and attack on the mainland, they built miles of tunnels and bunkers across the island from which they could be dislodged only with flamethrowers, hand grenades and small arms. To match WITNESS-IWOJIMA/ REUTERS/Michael Caronna/Files (JAPAN)

Fred Thompson History Lesson

He obviously reads Hitchens:

...Congress refused to act directly against the Barbary pirates for years. Eventually, between 10 and 20 percent of U.S. revenues would be paid annually without ever buying actual safety for Americans. In the end, Thomas Jefferson acted on his own, sending forces into harm’s way. America entered into its first and protracted foreign war. From beginning to end, in fact, the conflict lasted approximately 14 years. I couldn’t tell you, by the way, if the Barbary wars were ever described as a “quagmire” or "lost."

More here.

Fred Thompson Isolationism, Taxes and Term Limits

Fred Thompson at the Lincoln Club Annual Dinner:

Some want us, to the extent possible, to withdraw from the world that presents us with so many problems, in the hope they will go away. Some would push us towards protectionist trade policies. Others see a solution in raising taxes and redistributing the income among our citizens.

Wrong on all counts. These are defensive, defeatist policies that have consistently been proven wrong. They are not what America is all about.

Let's talk about the issues here at home, first. A lot of folks in Washington suffer from a big misconception about our economy. They confuse the well-being of our government with the wealth of our nation. Adam Smith pointed out thesameproblem in his day, when many governments mixed up how much money the king had with how well-off the country was.

Taxes are necessary. But they don't make the country any better off. At best they simply move money from the private sector to the government. But taxes are also a burden on production, because they discourage people from working, saving, investing, and taking risks. Some economists have calculated that today each additional dollar collected by the government, by raising income-tax rates, makes the private sector as much as two dollars worse off.

To me this means one simple thing: tax rates should be as low as possible. This isn't anything ideological, and it really isn't some great insight. It's common sense arithmetic.

That's why the economy booms when taxes are cut. When the Kennedy tax cuts were passed in the 1960s, the economy boomed. When Reagan cut taxes in 1981, we went from economic malaise to a new morning in America. And when George Bush cut taxes in 2001, he took a declining economy he inherited to an economic expansion -- despite 9-11, the NASDAQ bubble and corporate scandals.

And

Sometimes I think that I'm the last guy around who still thinks term limits is a good idea. The professionalization of politics saps people's courage. Their desire to keep their job and not upset anybody overrides all else -- even if it hurts the country.

Saving Lives

Fred Thompson:

A new study from Johns Hopkins University indicates that, since the Taliban was ousted five years ago, Afghan infant mortality rates have improved dramatically. Every year, more than 40,000 babies live that would have died under Islamofascist tyranny -- and the statistics are still improving. The main reason, according to the study, is improved women's access to medical care.

Hamid Karzai:

"The next time I'm reminded of the suffering women endure in too many radicalized Muslim cultures, or apathy toward their plight back here at home, I'm going to conjure up the image of 40,000 or 50,000 Muslim mothers smiling into the faces of healthy babies. You might try the same — and remember, while you're doing it, that these babies would not be alive today if it were not for the U.S. and coalition soldiers."

More on Thompson, and his blogging, here.

Fred Thompson the Blogger on Cuban "Health Care"

Fred Thompson on Cuba:

According to Forbes magazine, by the way, Castro is now personally worth approximately $900 million. So when he desperately needed medical treatment recently, he could afford to fly a Spanish surgeon, with equipment, on a chartered jet to Cuba. What does that say about free Cuban health care?

Hey, the guy Blogs - how cool is that?

All the Presidents to be

Mona Charen argues Why Fred Thompson Should Run

His voting record is solidly conservative. He is articulate, self-made (his father was a car salesman), highly intelligent, and exudes calm authority. His star power offers him an opening with independent voters that other candidates can only dream of, while his solid conservative credentials will excite the Republican base.

It would be difficult for opponents to discredit Thompson on the grounds that he lacks experience - former New York City mayor Giuliani and freshman Senator Obama, are a case in point. There are better questions to ask, such as - what to do about Iraq?

The Chicago Tribune quotes Obama's point of view:

I don't think there are any good options left in Iraq.

and

There are bad options and worse options.

Many have lauded Obama's inspirational style and rhetoric. Those are not the kind of inspirational words I expect from my President. I do not fancy stylistically defeatist platitudes. How can one run on a platform of "we're screwed, guys"? Obama's bestseller is titled The Audacity of Hope. Does he not reserve even a modicum of hope that success in Iraq is achievable?

I'm holding out. As commonplace as the the prevailing attitude seems, the consensus is correct in my view - the current field is uninspiring. However, there may be surprises in store. The Washington Post writes today about a long-standing rumor that Bloomberg is eyeing '08, observers say.

The thought is appealing for its shock value, and allure to disaffected voters. Perhaps Bloomberg, running as an independent, can skillfully craft an amalgamation of each party's greatest features; Strong defense/small government Republican ideals, and Strong Health Care/Social and environmental Democratic concerns.

The persistent religious overtones and social policy intransigence among Republicans is disappointing. The seeming inaction among Republicans to adequately express the nation's need to strengthen its energy security (despite perceived global warming fears) is woeful.

The consistent projection of weakness and nonsensical multilateralism among Democrats is similarly obnoxious. Furthermore, the tendency toward overzealous private sector regulation is disturbing.

I would welcome a serious, legitimate third party candidate.

The Politico on a Thompson Run

Insiders Map Plan for '08 Thompson Bid

Fred Dalton Thompson was bored in the U.S. Senate and has had more fun playing District Attorney Arthur Branch on NBC’s “Law and Order.” Now, he’s a step closer to the ultimate audition: running for president of the United States.

Thompson sees a potential opening in the unsettled field of Republican hopefuls as a no-nonsense, charismatic conservative who would offer reassurance at a time when voters are craving security, according to the friends.

About the only factor that makes his candidacy plausible at this late date would be his celebrity and the deep dismay that conservatives feel about the current field. Thompson also would have to answer questions about a notable embarrassment from his Senate career – a failed four-month series of hearings on the Democratic campaign finance scandals that he conducted in 1997 as chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee.

One drawback? Like some other Republican candidates (Giuliani & McCain), Thompson is on his second marriage. So far Romney is the only prominent candidate in the field who has only been married to one woman.