Fred Thompson's easy ride "starting to get a bit bumpy"

[DeepModem Mom]

The Politico: Rivals try to deflate F. Thompson campaign
By: Kenneth P. Vogel
Jun 13, 2007


Can Fred Thompson resist being cast as a lawyer and a lobbyist?
(Photo by AP)

Fred Thompson has had a relatively easy ride as he has flirted with a bid for the Republican presidential nomination. His strategists have found traction promoting him as the heir to Ronald Reagan -- and a conservative alternative to the top tier of the GOP field.

But the ride is starting to get a bit bumpy.

Opponents and their researchers have begun working -- mostly behind the scenes -- to highlight perceived soft spots in his conservative bona fides.

And Thompson will have to neutralize questions on the campaign trail and in the media about his centrist votes in the Senate, his stances on litmus test conservative issues including abortion and -- perhaps most significantly -- his work as a lawyer and lobbyist.

Thompson's biggest challenge will likely be cementing his image as a conservative country lawyer fixin' to shake up Washington -- before his opponents brand him as an influence peddler and trial lawyer....

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0607/4470.html

[AX10]

1. Romney's henchmen will the one's to do this.

They have the most to lose. Romney looks the most presidential.
McCain will take his digs too.

[BringBigDogBack]

10. agree with you completely, sir.

[Phredicles]

2. I gather "lazy airhead" isn't considered a negative in Publican circles.

[DeepModem Mom]

3. LOL!

[The Magistrate]

4. No, Sir, It Is A Basic Qualification

The equivalent of 'Jacks or better' in a friendly game of Draw....

[Ganja Ninja]

5. Neither is liar, wife beater, convicted felon, alcoholic, crook,

sneak thief, moron, pedophile, brain damaged, criminally insane, religious fanatic, serial killer, mule molester, drunk driver, con-artist, toe sucker ... well you get the picture.

[Lyric]

13. hey---nothing wrong with toe suckers!

:D

[DavidDvorkin]

6. Kewl

I wanna see them fight!

[LiberalFighter]

7. Exactly what cases has Thompson tried? How does he rate as a country lawyer?

1969-1972 Asst US Attorney
1972-1972 Howard Baker campaign manager
1973-1974 Senate Watergate Committee
1975-1992 Lobbyist -Westinghouse, General Electric, Tennessee Savings and Loan League
1982-1982 Lobbied deregulate Savings and Loan industry
1991-1992 Arent, Fox, Kintner, Plotkin, & Kahn -- Registered FOREIGN Agent
2004-2007 Equitas Ltd -- Asbestos issues
1985-1994 Actor
1994-2002 Tennessee Senator
2006-2007 Libby Scooter legal defense fund advisory board

[TwilightGardener]

8. We can now tie him to Dick Cheney, K Street and asbestos.

Three things about as popular as cancer--oh wait! That's four!

[gratuitous]

9. What oppo research?

A simple review of his career and where he's gathered up his paychecks should be enough to expose Fred Thompson as that worst and most dastardly of all politicians (accoring to the popular media): The Dreaded PHONY.

But then again, doing actual research and comparing what a Republican says with what he does has not been a long suit for the folks "reporting" from the campaign trail.

[BringBigDogBack]

11. for some reason I still see Romney taking the pukes nom

[AX10]

12. Repubs are in love with image. Romney offers the.......

image of a "President", Thompson looks like a back alley Pit Bull.

[tammywammy]

14. Maybe it'll end up being

Romney/Thompson?

I can see that happening.

[AX10]

15. Maybe!

[StudentsMustUniteNow]

16. "a conservative country lawyer fixin' to shake up Washington"

:rofl: