Consistent conservative: Fred Thompson touts voting record, time-tested values

CNA photo by STEPHANI FINLEY Hello: Former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., greets the public after his campaign speech Wednesday at The Windrow.

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CNA staff reporter Republican presidential hopeful Fred Thompson is banking on conservative consistency. The former Tennessee senator presented his principals in a frank manor, pulling no punches in front on an audience of more than 75 onlookers, which spilled out of The Windrow’s back meeting room Wednesday evening. The event was one of 50 Thompson is putting on leading up to the Jan. 3 caucus. With a well-lit background draped in a large campaign poster calling Thompson the “clear conservative choice,” Iowa’s 5th District Rep. Steve King, R-Kiron, introduced the senator as, “A man who will lay out the destiny of America.” Thompson said rural Iowans are concerned about foreign policy, national economy and security, as well as social values. He added, there are good and bad things resulting from the farm bill. “The fact that there’s a lot of people living in skyscrapers who are multi-millionaires receiving subsidies — I don’t think that’s right,” he said. Thompson’s politics draw upon conservative principals, which he said have been in place since the founding of the nation. His views also translate to his decidedly cautious take on government spending. “The things that occur to me go back to the very beginning of the country — the Declaration of Independence — reminding us that rights come from God, not from man.” Up front Establishing a simplified income tax form, “rebuilding” the U.S. military and saving the Social Security system are areas of importance to Thompson. These and other issues are presented in Thompson’s “white papers” found on his campaign Web site, www.fred08.com. Thompson said he is one of the few candidates to lay out plans on specific issues in such detail. He added, people are not going to endorse a set of plans at the Jan. 3 caucus, and that his consistent senatorial voting record should be considered, as well. This record includes a “100 percent pro-life” voting record. “Roe versus Wade was bad law,” Thompson said. “In an overturn of Roe versus Wade, if that happened, it would be remarkable progress. We can collect our marbles and see where we are then.” Thompson said his long-held views on all of these issues are “under assault” from the Democratic party. “(They) can hardly wait to take the reins of power in order to lead us down the road to a welfare state,” he said. National security Protecting America’s citizens ranks as Thompson’s most important issue, he said. He went on to say he has traveled the world and met with foreign leaders, even leading an advisory committee on foreign affairs after being called upon by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. “A nation that cannot defend its own borders cannot remain a sovereign nation,” he said. “We must stop illegal immigration.” Thompson expounded upon his military outlook, saying the U.S. shouldn’t “go looking for a fight.” “The best way to avoid a fight is to be stronger than your adversary,” he said. “If you find yourself in a fight, you do everything you can to prevail, because to do otherwise will invite attack in the future.” —————— Andy Goodell can be reached at (641) 782-2141 ext. 242 or agoodell@crestonnews.com