Oh, that Jena Six

[Poiuyt]

Oh, that Jena Six
By Steve Benen

By any reasonable measure, Fred Thompson, the actor-lobbyist-presidential candidate, is off to a rough start. Particularly on policy matters, Thompson has been confused and uninformed about everything from Social Security policy to drilling to Everglades for oil to the 2005 Schiavo controversy.

But this has to be my favorite.

NBC's "First Read' reports that when Thompson was asked Thursday about Louisiana's "Jena Six" protest of Old South racism on his way into a San Antonio fundraiser, he replied: "I don't know anything about it."

Bush fielded a question about it at his news conference the same day, saying the events in Louisiana had "saddened" him. Thompson's staff said he knew all about the issue but was unfamiliar with the expression "Jena Six."

Look, there are ways to try and spin a candidate's unfamiliarity with an issue, but this isn't one of them. If someone knows "all about" the racial injustices in Jena, La., then that person has to know about the "Jena Six." Those six young men are the point of the controversy.

It's a bit like saying you know "all about" the arrest of Abbie Hoffman, Tom Hayden, and others during the 1968 Democratic National Convention on charges of conspiracy and inciting to riot, and then arguing you've never heard of the "Chicago Seven." It just doesn't make any sense.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/053923.php

Thompson has to be the most uninformed candidate ever!