Fred Thompson Last Update: 12/20/07 Biography

republican Party Fred Thompson 2008 Candidate for President of the United States of America Campaign Website | Candidate Forum

			Issues

(Select An Issue to Jump Directly) Abortion Affirmative Action Death Penalty Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Energy Plan Free Trade Global Warming Guantanamo Bay Detainment Camp Gun Control Health Care Immigration Iran Iraq Plan Kyoto Protocol Line Item Veto Medical Marijuana Military Funding Minimum Wage Increase National Deficit Net Neutrality No Child Left Behind Act Nuclear Power Same-Sex Marriage School Vouchers Social Security Stem Cell Research Tax Reform Unemployment

	Fred Thompson on Abortion
	Stance: Pro-Life Description: Thompson does not believe abortion should be criminalized but states should have the right to impose "reasonable restrictions on abortions such as parental notification" and that, "The ultimate decision on abortion should be left with the woman and not the government." As a senator, Thompson voted for legislation to ban so-called partial-birth abortion and to prohibit federal funding of abortions except in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is in danger. Thompson opposes embryonic stem cell research, but supports adult stem cell research. Citations: 1. EXCLUSIVE: Fred Thompson Pro-Life Video Address (7/24/07) A pre-recorded Fred Thompson video addressing the National Right to Life conference tonight in Kansas City. Because of his schedule, he couldn't be there in person so instead he recorded a two and a half minute video for the pro-life crowd. 2. Interest Flares for Thompson's Papers (7/24/07) Article discussing findings in the politicians old papers and possible inconsistencies in his political stances. 3. Fred on the Issues (7/24/07) Video of Thompson answering questions regarding his stance on a variety of issues 4. Fred Thompson Talks about Abortion (7/24/07) Fred Thompson gives his views on whether or not abortion should be criminalized. 5. Fred Thompson at the Orlando Debate (1 of 5) (10/26/07) Fred did some work for planned parenthood in his days as a lawyer but says he has voted anti-abortion in every bill in the Senate.

	Fred Thompson on Affirmative Action
	Stance: Supports Description: In 1995, Thompson voted against Senate amendment 1825 to H.R. 1854 (the "Gramm Amendment") which would have banned affirmative action in the awarding of federal contracts. Thompson also voted against amendment 1826 to H.R. 1854 (the "Murray Amendment") which reaffirmed the use of affirmative action programs in federal contracts provided that the beneficiaries are qualified. Citations: 1. Senate Votes on the Gramm Amendment (10/30/07) A vote to ensure equal opportunity and merit selection in the award of Federal contracts. Thompson votes 'Nay'. 2. A Vote Summary on an Amendment to the Murray Amendment (10/30/07) A vote to provide that none of the funds in this Act may be used to award Federal contracts to unqualified persons, in reverse discrimination, or in quotas, or is inconsistent with the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in ADARAND CONSTRUCTORS, INC., v. PENA on June 12, 1995. Thompson votes 'Nay'.

	Fred Thompson on Death Penalty
	Stance: Supports the death penalty Description: Thompson has said that while "the use of DNA evidence to clear long-held prisoners from murder charges proves that we need to be more careful about handing out death sentences," scientific studies have shown "that the death penalty deters murders." Thompson voted for a 1996 bill to limit death penalty appeals. In a 1994 political questionnaire, Thompson indicated support for "impos[ing] the death penalty for certain federal crimes, including civil rights murders, rape and child molestation murders, death resulting from drive-by shootings or carjacking, and murder of court officers or federal witnesses." Citations: 1. The Candidates on the Death Penalty (7/23/07) His stance on the death penalty

	Fred Thompson on Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
	Stance: Supports Description: Thompson voted yes on drilling ANWR on national security grounds. Citations: 1. Fred Thompson Bio (8/14/07) Says he supports drilling in ANWR

	Fred Thompson on Energy Plan
	Stance: Achieve energy independece Description: Thompson believes that we can't be totally independent of oil, but we need to look at increasing fuel emissions and other things. He is still looking at the feasibility of other solutions. Citations: 1. Fred Thompson - Fox News Part 2 (8/29/07) He talks about his "non" existent energy plan. 2. Fred Thompson answers question about energy independence NH (10/26/07) Senator Fred Thompson campaigning in Nashua, NH on September 9, 2007, answers a question about energy independence.

	Fred Thompson on Free Trade
	Stance: Supports Description: As a Senator, Fred Thompson repeatedly voted for free trade. Citations: 1. Facing Our Challenges (8/21/07) These are challenges. But how we react to them is more important than the challenges themselves. 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.

	Fred Thompson on Global Warming
	Stance: Humans are not causing global warming Description: Thompson is skeptical that global warming is caused primarily by human activities. To support his view, he has cited an argument (originally raised by K.I. Abdusamatov of the Pulkovo Observatory) that warming has been observed in several other planets in the solar system (including Mars) and that this is evidence that Earth's warming is the result of solar activity. Citations: 1. Plutonic Warming (8/14/07) Some people think that our planet is suffering from a fever. Now scientists are telling us that Mars is experiencing its own planetary warming: Martian warming. It seems scientists have noticed recently that quite a few planets in our solar system seem to be heating up a bit, including Pluto.

	Fred Thompson on Guantanamo Bay Detainment Camp
	Stance: Supports Description: Fred Thompson supports the basic idea of Guantanamo though he has helped Lybian terrorists to get legal counsel. Citations: 1. Thompson is Sparse on Policy Positions (8/29/07) He adds: "The French jail perfectly nice people for politically incorrect comments, but scold us for holding terrorists at Guantanamo." 2. Fred Thompson Says Bin Laden Should be Caught, Killed, But Receive Due Process (10/4/07) Later, a Thompson spokesman explained that Thompson meant "the same rules ought to apply to him as to everyone at Guantanamo Bay, and there ought to be due process thru a special military court or commission."

	Fred Thompson on Gun Control
	Stance: Generally opposes gun control Description: "Well, I'm against gun control generally. If you check my record you'll find I'm pretty consistent on that." - Fred Thompson Citations: 1. Fred on the Issues (8/29/07) An interview with him from fox news

	Fred Thompson on Health Care
	Stance: Opposes socialized / universal health care Description: Fred Thompson has spoken against socialized health care. He has not stated whether he would change the current health care system. Citations: 1. Duplicating Disaster (8/26/07) We're hearing those phrases again; national health care, universal health care, socialized medicine. We're being told that government bureaucrats can take over our entire medical industry -- which by the way is the best and most complex in the world -- and make it better. It used to be a lot easier to make the case for nationalizing health care before we actually started looking at the countries that have it. A lot of people don't seem to have noticed but, in recent years, the grand experiments in bureaucratic medicine are coming apart at the seams. Nearest home, it was the Canadian Health Care system that lost its luster. Despite paying nearly half their incomes in taxes, and as much as 40 percent of each tax dollar on health care, many Canadian experts have recognized that their health care system's in a state of crisis. The problem has been, simply, not enough health care facilities to serve the population -- leading to long and sometimes fatal delays while waiting for treatments. Many Canadians have started coming to the US for treatments that they just can't get at home. Now, top officials of the British National Health Service, often held out as an example of the kind of socialized medicine America should adopt, have acknowledged that they have similar problems. One in eight National Health Service hospital patients has to wait more than a year for treatment. Thirty percent wait more than 30 weeks. Think about it. This is what we're supposed to copy? The poorest Americans are getting far better service than that. And there's nothing about Americans that would make us any better able to run a government health care bureaucracy than the Canadians or the British. In fact, we've got less practice at that sort of thing than they do -- and we might be a lot worse at it. 2. Fred on "HillaryCare" (10/26/07) Fred Thompson gives his thoughts on Hillary Clinton's new health care proposal. He says the best way to improve health care is to expand choice.

	Fred Thompson on Immigration
	Stance: Secure borders, Work with the Mexican government, Finish the Border Fence, Opposes amnesty Description: Fred Thompson said, "We solve the security problem first, and then we'll talk about what to do with regard to other things & certainly no amnesty or nothing blanket like that." He also stated, "You're going to have to, in some way, work out a deal where they can have some aspirations of citizenship but not make it so easy that it's unfair to the people waiting in line and abiding by the law." Citations: 1. Fred Thompson On Illegal Immigration (7/24/07) Thompson criticizes the lack of action and criticizes the Mexican government as well out outlines his plan. 2. Thompson on 'FOX News Sunday' (7/24/07) A transcript from an interview with Fred Thompson from fox news which includes talk on immigration. 3. Ask Fred - Building the Border Fence (10/26/07) Joel Anderson of Mesa, AZ asks Fred about completing the border fence along our southern border and Fred answers.

	Fred Thompson on Iran
	Stance: Support the people of Iran and use our intelligence resources to have regime change Description: Thompson is concerned that Iran's vow to destroy Israel is more than empty rhetoric: "If we know anything from modern history, it is that when fanatical tyrants pledge to 'wipe out' an entire nation, we should listen. We must gather our alliance, and do all in our power to make sure that such men do not gain the capability to carry out their evil ambitions." But he believes that the United States may be able to change Iran without using military force: "Iran might fall of its own weight if we give it a little help. We're not doing nearly enough to get communications in there. There are riots ... that are seldom reported, but they're taking place all over the country nowadays. Their inflation is up; unemployment is up." By encouraging the people of Iran and using our intelligence resources we may be able to help bring about a regime change. Citations: 1. Remarks to Policy Exchange in London (10/4/07) Thompson says we need to listen to Iran when they say they want to destroy Israel. 2. Exclusive! Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson on Possible White House Bid (10/4/07) Thompson believes that the United States may be able to change Iran without using military force: "Iran might fall of its own weight if we give it a little help. We're not doing nearly enough to get communications in there. There are riots ... that are seldom reported, but they're taking place all over the country nowadays. Their inflation is up; unemployment is up." By encouraging the people of Iran and using our intelligence resources we may be able to help bring about a regime change.

	Fred Thompson on Iraq Plan
	Stance: Supports the war Description: Thompson said in March 2007 that he would do "essentially what the president's doing" on Iraq, though he noted that mistakes have to be "rectified." He said he has "faith" in General David Petraeus' leadership: "We need to take advantage of any opportunity we've got down there." If the U.S. pulls out of Iraq under "bad circumstances," Thompson warned, then Iraq will become a "haven for terrorists" and the resulting instability could lead Sunni countries to develop nuclear weapons as a counterweight to Iran's nuclear program. Citations: 1. Fred Thompson Speech on Iraq (7/24/07) A speech he gave in London about Iraq. 2. Fred on the issues (7/24/07) A laundry list of issues that Fred answers when interview by Fox News 3. The Candidates on the Iraq War (7/24/07) His stance on Iraq. He supports it.

	Fred Thompson on Kyoto Protocol
	Stance: Opposes Description: Fred Thompson voted against the Kyoto treaty while in the Senate. Citations: 1. Voting record for Kyoto Protocol (8/14/07) Thompson voted against the Kyoto protocol.

	Fred Thompson on Line Item Veto
	Stance: Supports Description: In 1996, Fred Thompson voted 'yea' to give the President line item veto authority with respect to appropriations, new direct spending, and limited tax benefits. Citations: 1. Vote on Line Item Veto (10/15/07) Fred Thompson votes 'yea' to give President Line-Item Veto powers in 1996.

	Fred Thompson on Medical Marijuana
	Stance: Supports Description: "Well, you've got federal drug laws. We have federal drugs laws in this country that are involved. I'll tell you what my heart says about this. I would think that surely, in the era that we live in, and things that are helping my 87-year-old momma, things that are helping so many of us, and the revolution that we have seen in terms of medicine in this country, that marijuana would not be the only thing that's going to relieve the pain and suffering for these people. That there would be other things that we could turn to first. Now if somebody can convince me that's the only thing that will keep someone from undergoing that kind of suffering, I'll have to take a new look at it, but that's the way I approach it until you educate me further." - Fred Thompson Citations: 1. Fred Thompson: Champion of Stoners and Crackheads (8/27/07) Discusses cases that Senator Fred Thompson worked on when he was a lawyer. These cases involve marijuana. 2. Senator Fred Thompson on Medical Marijuana--Sept. 8, 2007 (10/3/07) Fred Thompson dodges the question.

	Fred Thompson on Military Funding
	Stance: Supports a strong military and would spend whatever it takes. Description: Fred Thompson would be willing to spend any amount of money in the interest of national security. Citations: 1. Fred Thompson: A New Hope? (8/14/07) Talks about the possibility of Thompson running and that he wants to increase the military. 2. 2008 DMR/ IPTV IA Republican Debate (Part 2) (12/20/07) He would be willing to go into a deficit to have a strong military.

	Fred Thompson on Minimum Wage Increase
	Stance: Opposes Description: Fred Thompson has voted against increasing the federal minimum wage in the Senate. Citations: 1. To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the Federal minimum wage. (9/24/07) He voted 'nay'

	Fred Thompson on National Deficit
	Stance: Use a market-based approach to reform, Open the government's fiscal books, develop a solution, cut spending Description: We need market-based approaches to reform that guarantee benefits for those who need them and embrace personal responsibility and cost-effectiveness without raising taxes. I am committed to: * Opening the government's fiscal books on this looming crisis for all to see and understand. * Working with individuals of all political persuasions to develop a comprehensive solution to the pending fiscal crisis. * Leading and making the hard choices necessary, to include cutting wasteful government spending, to safeguard our security, promote our prosperity, and protect our children and grandchildren from fiscal calamity. - Fred Thompson Campaign Site Citations: 1. Federal Budget and Spending/Budgetary Reform (10/8/07) "We need market-based approaches to reform that guarantee benefits for those who need them and embrace personal responsibility and cost-effectiveness without raising taxes. Given the scope and urgency of this problem, and the burden it will place on our children, reform is not only an economic necessity, it is a moral imperative that requires action now." - Fred Thompson

	Fred Thompson on Net Neutrality
	Stance: Has not taken a public opinion Description: At this time, Fred Thompson has not stated his views on net neutrality. Citations: 1. '08 Candidates Split Over 'Net Neutrality''08 Candidates Split Over 'Net Neutrality' (8/13/07) Gives his stance on net neutrality

	Fred Thompson on No Child Left Behind Act
	Stance: Voted for No Child Left Behind but says it did not turn out as expected Description: "I voted for No Child Left Behind. What has happened is that indeed states have taught to the test and we have not gotten some of the transparency and the accountability we thought we were getting." - Fred Thompson Citations: 1. Fred Thompson at the Orlando Debate (2 of 5) (10/26/07) Thompson voted for NCLB but he says it has not gone as expected and supports the states making the bulk of the decisions.

	Fred Thompson on Nuclear Power
	Stance: Supports nuclear power Description: Thompson supports nuclear power as a method to achieve energy independence. Citations: 1. Tommy Thompson Addresses Energy Independence in Davenport IA (8/10/07) Tommy Thompson's outlines his energy plan.

	Fred Thompson on Same-Sex Marriage
	Stance: Opposes Same-Sex Marriage Description: Senator Fred Thompson opposes same-sex marriage. He has not voiced support for civil unions. Citations: 1. U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes H.R. 3396 (7/25/07) Senator Fred Thompson voted for prohibiting same-sex marriage.

	Fred Thompson on School Vouchers
	Stance: Supports Vouchers Description: In 1997 he voted for a bill to allow school vouchers in the District of Columbia and again supported vouchers in a 1999 vote. Citations: 1. Candidates On Education (8/7/07) The Presidential Candidates stances on the topic of Education. 2. Fred Thompson at the Orlando Debate (2 of 5) (10/26/07) Thompson says that states should be able to experiment with vouchers.

	Fred Thompson on Social Security
	Stance: Supports partial privatization Description: Thompson supported a partial privatization plan for Social Security during the 1990s while he was in the Senate. While he has not revealed details of his current Social Security plan, he has said that it depends on whether current recipients will be willing to sacrifice a bit on their benefits for future generations. Citations: 1. From the Courthouse to the Whitehouse (9/30/07) Fred Thompson supports Bush's social security plan. 2. Another Bold Step Forward: The Bipartisan Senate Social Security Reform Plan (9/30/07) Thompson supports this. 3. Fred Thompson at the Orlando Debate (4 of 5) (10/26/07) Fred Thompson addresses the uncertain future of Social Security and Medicare, and making some necessary and responsible decisions about how to fix them.

	Fred Thompson on Stem Cell Research
	Stance: Opposes Embryonic Stem Cell Research but Supports Adult Stem Cell Research Description: Senator Thompson has stated that he supports adult stem cell research but does not support embryonic stem cell research. Citations: 1. Fred Thompson's views on abortion and family (7/24/07) At the 1 minute and 43 second mark, Senator Thompson states "On stem cell research: Im for adult stem cell research. Not for stem cell research where embryos of unborn children are destroyed."