The Associated Press (news wire USA)Friday 17 August 2007
Thompson's Senate office had
letter for both abortion sides
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee -- While a Tennessee senator, Fred Thompson kept two form letters to respond to people writing in about abortion -- one labeled "pro abortion" and the other "con abortion."
The Associated Press found the nearly identical letters in Thompson's papers at the University of Tennessee.
Both called abortion "a subject on which many people have strong and deeply held personal convictions." They said the Republican senator generally believed "government should not interfere with individual convictions and actions in this area."
In an AP interview Friday in Iowa, Thompson called himself "unabashedly pro-life."
Thompson's 1995 letter to abortion opponents pointed out that he voted for an amendment banning federal funding of abortions except in cases of rape, incest and when the mother's life is in danger.
That wasn't mentioned in his letter to abortion supporters.
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The Associated Press
Tuesday 26 June 2007
Clients include Haiti's ousted Aristide
'Washington Outsider' Fred Thompson
an insider lobbyist millionaire
by Erik Schelzig, Associated Press Writer
NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Fred Thompson, a likely Republican presidential candidate, on Tuesday defended his work as a Washington lobbyist, telling The Associated Press that lobbying is an important part of life because "government's got their hands in everything."
The actor and former U.S. senator from Tennessee added, "Nobody yet has pointed out any of my clients that didn't deserve representation."
Thompson, who likes to cast himself as a political outsider, earned more than $1 million lobbying the federal government for more than 20 years. He lobbied for a savings-and-loan deregulation bill that helped hasten the industry's collapse and a failed nuclear energy project that cost taxpayers more than a billion dollars.
He also was a lobbyist for deposed Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who was widely criticized for endorsing "necklacing," the gruesome practice of execution where gasoline-soaked tires are thrown over a person's neck and set ablaze.
In September 1991, Aristide said: "The burning tire, what a beautiful tool! ... It smells good. And wherever you go, you want to smell it."
Aristide became president in Haiti's first democratic elections in 1990, but he was deposed in a military coup a few months later in 1991.
Lobbying records show that in 1991 Thompson called then-White House Chief of Staff John Sununu on Aristide's behalf. Thompson was working "in connection with efforts to obtain the restoration of the democratically elected government" of Haiti, the records say.
Aristide was restored to power in 1994 by U.S. troops under President Clinton. He was elected to a second term in 2000, but was overthrown again in 2004, fleeing amid an armed rebellion and protests against corruption and other problems.
In a brief interview with the AP, Thompson said he expects to hear criticism about his lobbying activities as he moves closer to declaring his candidacy. Opponents emphasized his lobbying work during his Senate races in 1994 and 1996.
"They'll talk about it -- probably with the same results," he said.
Thompson said he doesn't take much stock in talk about whether he's too connected to the halls of power in Washington.
"I've never talked about that inside-outside stuff," he said. "I've been critical of Washington, both before, during and after my Senate days."
Thompson said he made his home in northern Virginia so he could commute between Washington and New York for his radio and television work. After leaving the Senate in 2002, Thompson joined NBC's drama series "Law & Order" and later became a commentator on ABC radio.
More than 200 supporters gathered earlier Tuesday at the Nashville airport to greet Thompson. He told the crowd he's "testing the waters" about a run, "but the waters feel pretty warm to me."
Thompson was scheduled to attend a fundraiser in Nashville later in the day hosted by Mike Curb, a record label founder and former lieutenant governor of California.
© Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
The Associated Press
Tuesday 26 June 2007
Clients include Haiti's ousted Aristide
'Washington Outsider' Fred Thompson
an insider lobbyist millionaire
by Erik Schelzig, Associated Press Writer
NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Fred Thompson, a likely Republican presidential candidate, on Tuesday defended his work as a Washington lobbyist, telling The Associated Press that lobbying is an important part of life because "government's got their hands in everything."
The actor and former U.S. senator from Tennessee added, "Nobody yet has pointed out any of my clients that didn't deserve representation."
Thompson, who likes to cast himself as a political outsider, earned more than $1 million lobbying the federal government for more than 20 years. He lobbied for a savings-and-loan deregulation bill that helped hasten the industry's collapse and a failed nuclear energy project that cost taxpayers more than a billion dollars.
He also was a lobbyist for deposed Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who was widely criticized for endorsing "necklacing," the gruesome practice of execution where gasoline-soaked tires are thrown over a person's neck and set ablaze.
In September 1991, Aristide said: "The burning tire, what a beautiful tool! ... It smells good. And wherever you go, you want to smell it."
Aristide became president in Haiti's first democratic elections in 1990, but he was deposed in a military coup a few months later in 1991.
Lobbying records show that in 1991 Thompson called then-White House Chief of Staff John Sununu on Aristide's behalf. Thompson was working "in connection with efforts to obtain the restoration of the democratically elected government" of Haiti, the records say.
Aristide was restored to power in 1994 by U.S. troops under President Clinton. He was elected to a second term in 2000, but was overthrown again in 2004, fleeing amid an armed rebellion and protests against corruption and other problems.
In a brief interview with the AP, Thompson said he expects to hear criticism about his lobbying activities as he moves closer to declaring his candidacy. Opponents emphasized his lobbying work during his Senate races in 1994 and 1996.
"They'll talk about it -- probably with the same results," he said.
Thompson said he doesn't take much stock in talk about whether he's too connected to the halls of power in Washington.
"I've never talked about that inside-outside stuff," he said. "I've been critical of Washington, both before, during and after my Senate days."
Thompson said he made his home in northern Virginia so he could commute between Washington and New York for his radio and television work. After leaving the Senate in 2002, Thompson joined NBC's drama series "Law & Order" and later became a commentator on ABC radio.
More than 200 supporters gathered earlier Tuesday at the Nashville airport to greet Thompson. He told the crowd he's "testing the waters" about a run, "but the waters feel pretty warm to me."
Thompson was scheduled to attend a fundraiser in Nashville later in the day hosted by Mike Curb, a record label founder and former lieutenant governor of California.
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© Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
2 comments:
This surprises anyone? The definition of a good politician is one who possesses the ability to speak out of both sides of his mouth and his ass simultaneously. Every time most of them speak, it is a virtual chorus of bullshit. The verbal manure that most of them insist on spreading all over us reminds me of when they used to spread the fields in the spring in Hadley, MA or on Hartford, VT.
PLATFORMS IN CONTRAST
The would-be office-holder,
With chip upon his shoulder,
In anger seems to smolder
Against "Big Government."
Yet passion grows not bolder,
But anger turns much colder
When he--maturer, older--
To Washington is sent.
The world upon his shoulder,
Past words filed in a folder,
So he becomes the scolder
When too little is spent.
Government has to intervene
In every nook, even between
A woman and her fetus--e´en
In acts consensual never seen
Amongst adults; and it is keen
To regulate what is obscene
Or heard on airwaves, keeping clean
Of thoughts original as mean
To threaten the vast sales machine
Of media interests, as they lean
On old and young, teen and pre-teen;
And mostly, spending every bean
While posing a know-nothing sheen
To bomb and kill, as venting spleen
In wars abroad, as have but been
Waged upon pretext, and careen
Wildly towards hell, a crazy scene
As makes one wish for Howard Dean.
The "ways of Washington"
Are most decried by one
Eager to get there, spun
As almost fraudulent.
From when it is begun
Until the campaign´s done,
The charge weighs like a ton,
And seems a keen intent.
"An outsider I run"
Says one, son or grandson
Of some old Congressmun:
"Curb of Big Government."
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