[see UPDATES at end of post]
Fred Thompson, who is exploring the possibilty of a presidential candidacy, went on Fox News Sunday yesterday, strongly criticized Roe v. Wade and said the answer to it was "good judges." But on this morning's "Today," Andrea Mitchell flatly stated that Thompson doesn't want to overturn Roe. So where does Thompson stand on Roe, and how can we explain Today's depiction of his views?
For answers, let's go to the videotape. The first portion of the clip is from this morning's "Today," the second portion from Thompson's Fox News Sunday appearance yesterday.
On "Today," laying out Thompson's positions on key issues, Andrea Mitchell stated Thompson is "anti-abortion but opposes overturning Roe v. Wade."
Where did she get that from? A good clue comes from the fact that just previously she had just played a clip of Thompson's appearance on yesterday's Fox News Sunday. While the clip had nothing to do with abortion [Thompson merely described his rationale for a possible run], it does demonstrate that Mitchell had watched Thompson's appearance and was likely relying on it as the latest, best evidence of his views.So what did the former Tennessee senator tell Chris Wallace about his views on Roe? Again, have a look at the video.
Chris Wallace: "Do you want to overturn Roe v. Wade?"
Thompson: "I think Roe v. Wade was bad law and bad medical science. And the way to address that is through good judges. I don't think the court ought to wake up one day and make new social policy for the country that's contrary to what it's been for the last 200 years. We have a process in this country to do that. Judges shouldn't be doing that. That's what happened in the that case. I think it was wrong."
Did Thompson say Roe should be overturned? Not in so many words, but that is the clear inference, in my judgement. He called Roe "bad law and bad medical science," and said that what the judges did in Roe "was wrong." His proposed solution is "good judges" who would "address that." The most obvious way they would address the "bad law" of Roe would be to overturn it. Roe. I take Thompson's statement that "we have a process in this country " to create new social policy as an allusion to the process for amending the Constitution as the appropriate process for creating a right to abortion, if that's what people want, rather than using the courts to "discover" a right in the constitution that's palpably not there.
So how could Mitchell possibly have listened to Thompson and come to the diametrically opposite conclusion? I think she focused on Thompson's statement that "I don't think the court ought to wake up one day and make up new social policy for the country." Since Roe is, currently, the country's "social policy" on abortion, and overturning Roe would therefore be making "new social policy," I think it's likely Andrea took that to mean that Thompson opposes overturning Roe.
But Mitchell overlooked the latter part of Thompson's sentence. He said that the court should not make new social policy "that's contrary to what it's been for the last 200 years." That is exactly what the Supreme Court did in Roe. From the time of America's founding until Roe, the individual states had had the right to set laws on abortion. Roe removed that power from the states and discovered a constitutional right to abortion that invalidated any inconsistent state laws. But Roe itself has only been in effect since 1973. So if the Supreme Court were to overturn it now, it would be making "new social policy" contrary to what it's been for 33 years -- not the 200 Thompson mentioned.
Conclusion: on all the evidence, I believe Thompson's statement on Fox strongly suggests he favors overturning Roe. My sense is that Mitchell and NBC didn't intentionally misrepresent his position, but might have heard what they were hoping to hear.
UPDATE AP vs. NBC! AP watched the same Thompson appearance on Fox News Sunday and came to precisely the opposite conclusion as to Thompson's position on overturning Roe. Check this excerpt from an AP article, which ironically I found on MSNBC's website. According to A, appearing on FNC, Thompson said he is "pro-life, and believes federal judges should overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision as "bad law and bad medical science."
UPDATE 3-13: Now it's MSNBC vs. NBC! My MRC colleague Rich Noyes reports that at about 9:13am EDT, interviewing Democratic strategist Dan Gerstein and Republican strategist Phil Musser about Fred Thompson's presidential prospects, MSNBC anchor Amy Robach stated that Thompson: "is in support of overturning Roe v. Wade, he opposes gay marriage, he opposes gun control. He supports the Iraq surge, he favors the Scooter Libby pardon -- this is what we know so far. I mean, Phil, do you think he could be the next Ronald Reagan?" MSNBC also displayed the graphic shown indicating that Thompson supports overturning Roe. Will NBC and Andrea
now correct her claim of yesterday that Thompson opposes overturning Roe?
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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So What's the Real Reason?
March 12, 2007 - 09:14 ET by CGatton"...might have been heard what they were hoping to hear..."
The only reason I can think of why this might be so is they are afraid, for whatever reason, a Thompson candidacy might halt a HillBilly victory. In fact, it almost seems they fear a Thompson victory despite his views on overturning Roe v Wade. Alternatively, they may be hoping for a Thompson win, though I don't see that in my tea leaves this morning.
R/
Clyde
"...the aspirants to tyranny are either the...men of the state, who in democracies are demagogues,... or those who hold great offices, and have a long tenure.." - Aristotle, Politics, c350BC
Mark - what do you want to
March 12, 2007 - 09:15 ET by Dee BunkMark - what do you want to bet that someone ignores your conclusion statement and attacks you saying she made an honest mistake?
Well I can't bet now because I might have ruined it.
Isn't it curious though how Bush did say that he thought it was the law of the land even though he didn't agree with it and the Press never gave that impression? Bush specifically said he didn't think it could be overturned but that there needed to be stronger restrictions on it.
I guess they won't hate Thompson from the start like they did Bush because he got rich by being a celebrity. I like Thompson - I'm just saying he isn't a foreign object to them like Bush and Mitchell and the rest have a harder time believing that people in their world could have strong opinions on abortion. They think that everyone who is against it look like the people in "Jesus Camp".
Fred Thompson stands head and
March 12, 2007 - 09:38 ET by joe3Fred Thompson stands head and shoulders above all the other republican candidates. He has enough experience in Washington to know the territory and how things work, without succumbing to the inside-the beltway virus that can cause otherwise good men to sacrifice their principles and core beliefs for political power. He is direct and uncompromising in his desire to do the right thing and is self confident without being arrogant. His conduct during the Clinton hearings demonstrated a leadership style and integrity that inspires others, even those who disagree with him. I don't think there is a democrat that can come close to winning against him if he decides to run in 2008.
Maybe its just his 'image' but I would vote for Fred.
March 12, 2007 - 10:32 ET by acaiguanaMaybe its just his 'image' but I would vote for Fred.
I am so tired of not having a Republican nominated by the Republican Party.
ACA
...
Quoted from: 'Acaiguana Notes from the Bomb Shelter' (soon to be a movie at theaters near you)
Aca - do you know anything
March 12, 2007 - 10:41 ET by Dee BunkAca - do you know anything about his education? I like him also, but I would need a lot more info to vote for him. I have no idea if he is qualified. I hope that he is because he would make a good candidate.
I know Bill Gates quit College. :-) ACA
March 12, 2007 - 10:45 ET by acaiguanaI know Bill Gates quit College. :-) ACA
...
Quoted from: 'Acaiguana Notes from the Bomb Shelter' (soon to be a movie at theaters near you)
I don't know much about his e
March 12, 2007 - 11:09 ET by BruzillaI don't know much about his education, but he was involved with the Watergate investigations as a counsel, and did some bit parts in movies as a sideline to serving as counsel for a lot of members of Congress. He was also smart enough to serve just one term in the Senate before realizing what a waste of his time that was, so I would say he's pretty smart.
Dee-- see here for bio of Fred.
March 12, 2007 - 11:14 ET by misterbillhttp://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=T000457
An ugly American is one who does not support his country.
Thanks Misterbill! He's at
March 12, 2007 - 11:22 ET by Dee BunkThanks Misterbill! He's at least as qualified as Obama and Hillary so he would get my vote.
I saw your comment on the smurf thread btw - cracked me up.
Dee- you may or may not know---
March 12, 2007 - 11:29 ET by misterbillDee- you may or may not know--- but I have been a strong Newt Gingrich fan. He is the only conservative that has had a plan and a good one. I have a strong aversion to almost all other potential Pubs, particularly McCain whose definition of cooperation with the other party is ,IMO, bootlicking. Other than Newt, I would only vote for the Republican candidate to not allow a leftie like Shrillary or Obummer from being elected.
All that being said--Fred Thompson is the first Republican besides Newt that I would gladly vote for. I do not have a lot of info on him, but the little I know suggests he is a true conservative.
An ugly American is one who does not support his country.
mrbill - I agree with you a
March 12, 2007 - 11:43 ET by Dee Bunkmrbill - I agree with you about Newt. Unfortunately the media have successfully demonized him and he is unelectable.
Ah, but??
March 12, 2007 - 11:55 ET by misterbillAh, but?? do you believe the press?? Do you think that most of America believes the press?? I am mostly with you, but I am naive enough to believe that when Newt gets in front of the public and shows the country that he is the most knowledgable, intelligent (until Fred) candidate and they hear him speak, then he may overcome the bad press. The good thing about Fred is there is almost nothing bad to say about him. Of course, The Roe v. Wade issue will be blown out of proportion and the lefties will try to win over the female vote with arguments that Fred is trying to remove their rights to make their own choices.
An ugly American is one who does not support his country.
Mrbill - I did in the past
March 12, 2007 - 12:14 ET by Dee BunkMrbill - I did in the past - I've been deprogrammed. I used to be a liberal Republican. Liberal on social issues but conservative on economic issues. Back when they were going after Newt - I thought he was obnoxious. After I had a child, the miracle of birth started making me question abortion more. Once I started to see how I had been brainwashed on that, I started questioning everything. It wasn't until I started seeing Newt as a commentator on FNC that I realized how nice and intelligent he was and that he was just another thing I was brainwashed on.
So sadly - I do think people who just watch the MSM will be very biased against him.
Did any of you watch the REAL
March 12, 2007 - 12:27 ET by Clear thinkerDid any of you watch the REALL BIG ANNOUNCEMENT today concerning Chicom Chuckie (Hagel)?
What an absolute hoot. He had sucked tons of press people to his REALLY BIG ANNOUNCEMENT to tell everyone he will be making a decision about a REALLY BIG ANNOUNCEMENT in the future.
MSNBC covered it live and ended up with egg on it's face. LOL!!!!!!
The liberal MSM has become an enemy of the USA.
CT --happily
March 12, 2007 - 12:29 ET by misterbillCT --happily, I missed it.
An ugly American is one who does not support his country.
oooops
March 12, 2007 - 12:29 ET by misterbilloooops.
Dee,Fred Thompson has a law d
March 12, 2007 - 11:46 ET by Dave RDee,
Fred Thompson has a law degree, but I'd vote for him if he only had the education of Jethro Bodine (That's the sixth-grade for those of you not familiar with The Beverly Hillbillies, from which Jethro graduated twice!)
There is an ambiguity here, a
March 12, 2007 - 10:51 ET by KC MulvilleThere is an ambiguity here, and it tells a tale. I agree with Mark Finelstein’s description of the ambiguity. I also agree that Andrea Mitchell based her description of Fred Thompson’s position on the interview yesterday, because there’s no other source for that suggestion. Thompson has consistently opposed (and voted against) abortion social policy for years, and I can’t find any quote that would suggest otherwise.
What interests me, though, is that if Fred Thompson publicly corrects the Today show report, will Andrea Mitchell or NBC air the correction? Will they apologize for their mischaracterization? Thompson acts on the NBC network, so it’s not unlikely that they’ll interview him soon. If/when they do, will they correct their mistake? I hope Thompson would demand a correction, but that’s his call.
It also raises the question about whether NBC or Mitchell double-checked their report by contacting Thompson before airing. If Thompson signed off on it, OK, but I suspect that they simply didn’t ask him. Mitchell should be criticized if she aired a report that depicted Thompson’s positions without asking him, especially on an issue that Thompson is known to feel strongly about.
Fred Thompson has the stature
March 12, 2007 - 10:51 ET by old croFred Thompson has the stature, recognition and consevative bona fides to be a contender. I, for one, cannot get his comment from "The Hunt for Red October" out of my mind, so my perseption of him is a little askew.
"What's his plan? The Russians don't take a dump without a plan son."
Rear Admiral Joshua Painter - USS Enterprise as played by Mr. Thompson
to Jack Ryan super spy as played by Valerie Plame
LOL!Both Jack Ryan and Val Pl
March 12, 2007 - 11:35 ET by ghotifunLOL!
Both Jack Ryan and Val Plame's "top secret" position are bounded by fiction...
Mark,I find this more than a
March 12, 2007 - 11:34 ET by Dave RMark,
I find this more than a little puzzling. Given the overwhelming support for abortion-no-matter-what that exists within the liberal MSM, would they not want to imply, as loudly as possible, that Mr. Thompson's position is one of overturning of Roe vs Wade, in order to scare the wee out of the fence-sitters out there?
Good point, Dave R. As we
March 12, 2007 - 11:41 ET by Mark FinkelsteinGood point, Dave R. As we speak, I am trying to get clarification on what was behind Andrea's comment. My guess is that, politics aside, she simply misunderstood what Thompson meant about being opposed to judges making social policy.
I personally think,unlike H
March 12, 2007 - 11:56 ET by Dee BunkI personally think,unlike Hollywood, many journalists are not necessarily with the Dems on economic issues - but all most all are social liberals. Many of them would vote for a Republican if they were Pro-Choice and supported Gay marriage. I think Mark's initial reaction was correct. It was an honest mistake based on thinking that Thompson is a reasonable man
Dee,Then perhaps Andrea is lo
March 12, 2007 - 12:40 ET by Dave RDee,
Then perhaps Andrea is losing it, as she is nowhere near among the very few remaing in the liberal MSM that I consider to be even remotely moderate. She is usually leading the charge against any and all things conservative.
That's always been my perception of her, anyway.
Dave - you could be right a
March 12, 2007 - 13:02 ET by Dee BunkDave - you could be right about her - I don't really know because I don't watch the MSM anymore. I would think she would have a better understanding of economics being married to Greenspan but one never knows with liberals. They don't like to learn from people smarter than they are.
Andrea's been a little confus
March 12, 2007 - 11:58 ET by ghotifunAndrea's been a little confused about a lot of things lately.
To my non-legal, but otherwise logical mind, Senator Thompson's comments are a definite discourse on the reversal of Roe v. Wade.
And it is the prime example of legislating from the bench.
Unless it was designed to sca
March 12, 2007 - 19:31 ET by BlazerUnless it was designed to scare the wee out of us conservatives, by making Mr. Thompson appear not so conservative, vis a vis, Romney, and Guliani.
Believe me Thompson scares the hell out of the liberals, they are in panic mode right now. They know this guy can get it done.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
Blazer,Plus they know there i
March 12, 2007 - 19:42 ET by bigtimerBlazer,
Plus they know there is absolutely NOTHING they can get on him or pound on him ad nauseum...
I love it!
As soon as I heard the news he may run I posted it here last week....I have been tickled since then, I hope he does!
The leftists have to be scared shiteless!
Some of the Republican candidates have to be pissed...or worried or both!
LOL!
Too fun!
bigtimer, Thompson is clean a
March 12, 2007 - 21:06 ET by Blazerbigtimer, Thompson is clean as a whistle, plus whether or not he supports the war, he couldn't have voted for it either way.
But you best believe, that if there is a single bone, in a closet anywhere, the Clinton Warroom will find it.
At any rate it should big fun. Dont' know much about Thompson, but for some reason when I heard he may be running, I felt electrified. I believe this guy is the piece of the puzzle thats been missing, and I think a lot of other people feel the same way. GIT-R-DONE!
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
Blazer,Deliciously fun!Get 'e
March 12, 2007 - 21:19 ET by bigtimerBlazer,
Deliciously fun!
Get 'er done is right!
Got to get dinner going..be back later...
Btw...You just know the leftist msm is looking everywhere with a scavenger type hunt!
Enjoy din din, by the way I s
March 12, 2007 - 21:26 ET by BlazerEnjoy din din, by the way I see Thompson was in the Senate during the war vote. Shows you how much I know about this guy. LOL!
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
Thompson's Voting Record is Pro-Life
March 12, 2007 - 11:39 ET by Paul DetrickAccording to OntheIssues.com, Thompson voted as follows:
I think there's another piece
March 12, 2007 - 11:43 ET by BruzillaI think there's another piece of the Fred Thompson interview that was even more interesting. Wallace kept asking him about when he was going to enter the race, and Thompson said when he had determined that there was aneed for him to enter it. Wallace kept going on and on about how if you don't get in the race now, it'll be too late come Fall. Wallace said "there are candidates out there now who are forming committees and raising tens of millions of dollars", and Thompson said "and they're spending tens of millions of dollars too."
I think MSM folks like Wallace are falling into this deficient mindset that if you don't get in early, you can't win. I think that Thompson and Gingrich are doing the smart thing. There are three RINOs campaigning right now, and I think the message of the 2006 elections was "we don't want RINOs". So why should true Republicans waste their time and money campaigning now? Let the RINOs spend the summer beating each other up, then go in and show why you're different and win.
By golly, I think you've got it!
March 12, 2007 - 11:47 ET by misterbillBy golly, I think you've got it! I think that Fred Thompson is right on and so are you in your analysis. I am already tired of the candidates and their verbiage. I am in no rush to listen to them with two years to go. It's almost as bad as press coverage of Anna Nicole.
PS The most dangerous animal in America is the RINO!
An ugly American is one who does not support his country.
My thoughts, too.There is way
March 12, 2007 - 12:04 ET by ghotifunMy thoughts, too.
There is way too much time until the '08 elections. Those that have already declared run the risk of having their candidacies run out of steam or, as has happened more recently, to say something really stupid and suffer the political consequences for their comment(s).
ghotifun,I am with you. We go
March 12, 2007 - 17:43 ET by msh1973ghotifun,
I am with you. We go from one election cycle right into the next. It is exhausting, by the time the real election comes around I am so sick of it I stop paying attention. Mitt Romney is already running TV ads! Newt told Michelle Malkin that it was just stupid to even think about who is in the lead at this point because it will change several times before 11/08.