Profile: Fred Thompson

Fred Dalton Thompson was born in 1942 in Sheffield, Alabama. In 1964 he graduated from the University of Memphis. He was the first member of his family to go to college. He was awarded a scholarship to Vanderbilt University to study law and graduated from there in 1967.

After graduating from law school, Thompson worked as an assistant US Attorney for three years. In 1972 he became the campaign manager for US Senator Howard Baker (R-TN) and followed Baker back to Washington after the election victory. Thompson worked as minority counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee in 1973-74. His role in Watergate has become controversial; he was originally seen by the public as aggressively prosecuting President Nixon’s actions, but recently released tape recordings from the Nixon era make him seem more like a GOP mole on the committee, keeping the President informed as to what the committee knew.

Thompson’s professional career since 1975 has taken him in and out of acting, lobbying, law, and politics. He is most famous for his role as District Attorney Arthur Branch in the NBC series Law and Order. In 1994, Thompson was elected to fill the unexpired US Senate term of Vice-President Al Gore. He was re-elected in 1996.

Abortion and Stem Cell Research

Thompson has been criticized by Conservatives for working as a lobbyist on behalf of a pro-choice group. He has said that he favors overturning Roe v. Wade, the US Supreme Court ruling the legalized abortion. But he does not think that abortion should be a crime in the early stages of pregnancy. He has promised to appoint conservative judges.

Education

Thompson has supported vouchers to pay private school tuition.

Health Care

Thompson opposes the creation of a national health care plan. He has suggested that America’s health care problems can be best solved by the free market and personal responsibility. His official website says that “Access to affordable, portable health care can be made available for all Americans without imposing new mandates or raising taxes.”

Immigration

Thompson is opposed to any form of amnesty for undocumented immigrants. He opposed the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007.

Taxes and Social Security

Thompson has said that the current tax system in America is broken and that the IRS should be dissolved. He is in favor of tax cuts because he sees them as stimulating the economy. He says that while progressive tax codes redistribute wealth, they do nothing for the economy. Thompson has flip-flopped on support for the “Fair Tax” proposal. That proposal would replace income tax with a 23% federal sales tax. Thompson was videotaped being asked by Fair Tax Dot Org if he would sign such legislation and told the “absolutely.” A campaign spokesperson later denied that comment to ABC News. He does call for “a new tax code,” though.

Gay Marriage

Thompson sees gay marriage as a state issue. He is opposed to constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. He voted against including sexual orientation in hate crime and in anti-discrimination legislation.

The Iraq War

Thompson supports the Bush Administration’s efforts in Iraq and says that US forces should stay in Iraq, though he admits that there have been mistakes. America should stabilize Iraq, not leave it, according to Thompson.

Conclusion

Thompson entered the GOP presidential race late – in September of 2007. Thompson has had difficulty selling himself as a true Conservative to the GOP faithful and his poll numbers have declined since he actually became a candidate.

Fred Thompson's Official Site: www.fred08.com

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