This guy is a JOKE, end of story.

Wonder if he will wear a Ronald Reagan mask to appearances.

Just another George Bush!!!Do we really want that or can we even afford that? I am tired of the same old worn out diversions the Republicans use to keep people from voting on real issues…What is next Flag Burning? Get real, please…

Oh puhleeze, like he's the moral majority? He's been married how many times? What gives him the right to overturn Roe V. Wade, and more importantly pass judgement on alternative lifestyles.

Just another George Bush and a Reagan want to be!!! I am tired of the worn out diversions Republicans use to keep people from realizing what they really stand for…What is next, Flag burning?

Fred Thompson does a pretty fair job of portraying a hard line conservative.
Acting is a great discipline for honing your pandering skills.

He will make a great candidate…for the democrats. lol
Hillary will crush him and then a little man in Phoenix Az. will be crawling back under his rock for EIGHT YEARS.

Van

Actually, the author of this story is not especially up on his politics. A conservative person would advocate Federalism and want the states to decide their own laws, or as Reagan said, "Vote with your feet."

So the person who compared him to Reagan is completely wrong and needs to brush up on history.

[...] Republican Law and Order star Fred Thompson running for President: "I don’t think that one state ought to be able to pass a law requiring gay marriage or allowing gay…."  Aside from banning marriage, he wants to completely restrict women's reproductive [...]

How the heck would he know if abortion is bad medicine? Last I checked, he doesn't have an MD. And as for his comments on gay marriage: "I don’t think that one state ought to be able to pass a law requiring gay marriage or allowing gay marriage and have another state be required to follow along…" Um, doesn't that fly right in the face of the full faith and credit clause of the Constitution (not to mention, more broadly speaking, the equal protection clause). Sure, if a state like Alabama doesn't want to recognize a gay marriage legally performed in Massachusetts, they can pass a state law doing so (which several states have done). But to try to completely ignore the principles of full faith and credit on the federal level, and via Constitutional amendment no less, screams federal over-reach and a violation of states' rights (two things one would think a conservative like Thompson would be against). For someone with a law degree, you'd think he'd consider the legal ramifications of his policy positions more carefully.

What an idiot. Why does this country love idiots so much?????

My sister was very sick while pregnant and was told she would stroke out and die if she did not terminate the pregancy. I feel some abortions are neccessary in that sense, and do not feel comfortable with that option being removed.

Give me a break? This guy is the GOP's great hope for holding on to the presidency? He sounds like a total idiot to me.

“We need to make every effort to make sure that we don’t get run out of there with our tail between our legs before we’ve done the job of securing that place.” Real tough talk from yet another chickenhawk.

Abortion is murder. This is not an opinion; it is a fact. I'd vote for anyone willing to protect babies in a heartbeat! When will someone stand up for the unborn?

I don't know a single person who will vote for this guy.
His comments concerning Roe vs Wade and Gay Marriage make me feel like qualifying him as against personal freedom and completely unamerican.
Imposing your core belief that someone should not have the right to choose marriage or abortion is abominable. People have to have choices and do what is right for them and their families. Be it gay, straight, white, black, hispanic, asian whatever we need to remember that personal freedom is a key core value of our nation.

What and idiot!

Thank goodness! We finally have a genuine homophobic sexist protestant white male in the race. Please save us Fred!!!

God I hate politicians. Power hungry bible thumper. What about abortions for rape and incest? Why so concerned about gays getting married. If they love each other why not. Get off it. Not an important issues. Geeze!

Same old Republican line, pandering to the would-be Christian ayatollahs and their campaign cash. Please, no more actors or cowboys in the White House.

For those naive enough to say they will ban Abortion, I have two questions… 1. How will you fund the needed additional jails and prisons? and 2. How long a sentence will you recommend for our women and daughters to serve? Abortion illegal = women in jail for it, no ifs ands or buts…

Geez, I'm a registered Republican and I would never give this guy my vote. If by some bizarre miracle he becomes the Republican front-runner, I'm going independant…

I don't have a problem with Fred Thompson's stance on Roe v Wade and not because of some right-wing neo-con moral stance. It is because women use their "right" to choose with almost wrecklace abandon. A woman's right to choose does not consider the choice of the father either. Abortion should be used only in extreme cases of rape, incest, and to save the life of the mother. Abortion should not be used as a matter of convenience.

I do have an issue with anyone who would tamper with the Constitution of the United States, especially when the matter is being addressed at the state level. This is the United States, meaning a group of states that are united together. A constitutional ammendment disregards the rights of a state government to pass legislation based on the will of the people.

I am interested to know how Fred will approach the issue of immigration reform. Right now Fred resembles Dubya WAY too much to get elected. If Fred is in favor of a guest worker program and a path to citizenship for the 12 million illegal immigrants Fred is pretty much toast, just like what happened to McCain.

Who the heck is this guy?

Another man who wants to dictate morals and take away a woman's right to choose. Sounds alot like the Taliban to me. I may have to apply for political asylum in another "democratic" country.

Hey, all you people who are so concerned about the unborn, maybe you could become more concerned about sentient human beings already living, and support a troop withdrawal from Iraq, or stem cell research, alleviating poverty, etc. I don't understand people like Fred Thompson who are all for life, but clearly despise living human beings.

By overturning Roe vs. Wade you'll be pushing women into "backalley" abortions which is far more dangerous. If an abortion is a danger to a woman's health then there should be that option. Also if a woman, or a teenager is raped the option for an abortion should be there. What right does anyone have to tell them that they HAVE to carry to term? Abortion shouldn't be used as a form of birth control, but you shouldn't have the government or religious zealots decide what's best for a woman.

Ugh, Fred, just go back to being a mediocre actor and leave us alone.

K from NC,

Eating animals is murder!!! It happens.

PS. As Giuliani would say "Fred you're a loser"

Stick to acting Freddy and don't push your personal views on me-remember this is AMERICA!!!

Fred is the reason we need Rudy. Rudy is socially liberal on issues of gay marriage and abortion and conservative when it comes to taxing hard working people.

It must have been a deliberate misquote by CNN that he would overturn Roe v. Wade. He obviously knows that only the US Supreme Court could do that. CNN, as usual, is guilty of attempting to influence the ignorant masses. I'm certain that many Democrats actually believe that the President could single handily overtun the law of the land. The truth is the biggest enemy of the Democrat party (and CNN).

Fred, while you make a good actor, and I enjoy watching you do act in fictional roles, you make a lousy politician.

Thompson's level of conservatism is draconian, and I shudder to think of him anywhere near the White House, much less in it.

Candidates such as Fred are the reason that Republicans will lose. Rudy is the only hope-someone that is socially liberal and fiscally conservative.

Hey K from NC–you're against abortion, but I bet you're also against family planning, and I bet you're also against higher taxes that will pay for the social services that will required in order to feed those kids born to mothers who cannot afford and aren't equipped to raise them. Sure, you love babies. But only until they're born. The arrogance of Fred Thompson at once revolts and frightens me. I cannot stand another bigoted, sexist and ignorant person posing as the president of my country who plans to start shredding our Constitution, as if it wasn't damaged enough already. If this is what he is outwardly saying he'll do, I can only imagine what his real objectives are. This country can't take another one of these bozoes.

“We are going to be getting in if we get in, and of course, we are in the testing the waters phase,” he said, adding, “we’re going to be making a statement shortly that will cure all of that. But yeah, we’ll be in traditionally when people get in this race,”

Who is writing the lines for this actor?

Until the day when Mr. Thompson can walk in the shoes of others without bigotry AND miraculously grow a uterus, he should stay quiet! Get out of lives of women & those who have the right to marry whomever they wish!

I think that the idea of conservatism has been corrupted somewhat in this country. It has been redefined to be a social conservative. Its very odd now because some of the things the Bush administration does to forward its Social Morals agenda would normally be considered rather liberal as far as I can see.

Jerry Orbach would be so disappointed. BOO FRED, BOO. "Marriage" is a religious term. Unions/Partnerships should be allowed, by law to all consenting adults. All people are guaranteed the SAME RIGHTS as citizens of this country. Let people practice marriage in their churches, synogogues and mosques. As for abortion, sure let's go back to backroom abortions, cause those really turned out well.

WOW! I love this guy! He is a strait shooter! Really, though, have some of you thought this through, Abortion. I have never talked to someone that is pregnant and they say, "Oh yea, I have a lifeless fetus inside me", they always say "I am having a baby!" If we can not protect life at its most innocent and precious point, then life means nothing. No wonder children are being treated like objects to sexual predators, the babies were nothing in the womb and not worth much more now, right?! If you think a baby with a heart beat and movement is like cancer then by all means abort it! Some people would hug a tree to save it but witness having a babies, sorry lifeless fetus, brains sucked out. Anyway, Fred is talking about it from a Constitutional stand point. Does not everyone in America have a right to LIFE, Liberty, and the Pursuit of happiness?

Sam
Knoxville, TN

“We are going to be getting in if we get in, and of course, we are in the testing the waters phase. We’re going to be making a statement shortly that will cure all of that. But yeah, we’ll be in traditionally when people get in this race”

What did he just say?!?? This stream of consciousness nonsense does not bode well for him.

I agree that abortion should only be used in the cases of rape, incest and to save the mother's life. If the mother is too sick and near death, it wont do the child any good if she dies (and takes the baby with her). Often times if the father doesn't want anything to do with the baby, then he wont be in the baby's life anyway. I suffered from Hyperemesis Gravidarum while pregnant with my son and it is a very real and life-threatening disease that only a very small amount of pregnant women get; it often gets trumped up as really bad morning sickness, but its much worse than that. It does pose the neccessary option of abortion. I feel it should definately be an option if needed, though not as a form of birth control.

As far as the gays and marriage, if they have the right to fight for our country and vote, then they should have the right to marriage.

Too bad this isn't the Dark Ages of the mid-20th Century, old Fred would surely win with his "ban abortion" platform. We seriously need to keep this dinosaur from further polluting the White House and dragging women down to 2nd class citizens who are unable to decide themselves what is best for them and their family. Fred as president would be Really Bad News!

I was initially excited to see that my favorite Law & Order character was going to run for presidency. I was just about to cross over from Hilary, UNTIL he opend his mouth. The problem is, the people that want to ban abortion are the same people that CANNOT get pregnant, carry a baby, or have to be responsible for it for the rest of their life. I love how men can make this decision when the product of rape or incest is not something that they will have to deal with. Thank God they can sit on their high horses, and dictate that some poor helpless victim will have to relive their pain every minute of every day for the rest of their life. What a country we live in.

This man represents a scary future for America. Even though you may not believe in something, that does not mean that you should press your views on everyone else. If gay marriage and abortion are banned, people will find loopholes and still continue to live as they choose. People need to understand that America was founded on the principle of freedoms, and trying to force your ideas on everyone is bad policy. What needs to be done is to balance law, beliefs, and policy so that people are still able to safely do what they choose, while causing the smallest disruption possible.

I look forward to a straight shooting candidate entering the race. Perhaps this is one candidate the we conservatives can finally embrace.

To Susan from New York,
Please identify the section in the Constitution that protects a women's right to kill babies. Even if it was some kind of personal right, why is it not a right to use drugs, ride a motorcycle without a helmet, drive without a seatbelt, buy machine guns, engage in prostitution, gamble. If you are going to be pro-choice, be pro-choice across the board. Else, you are hypocrite.

"Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country!"

-President Ronald Reagan

Not another actor in the White House, please! What makes these people think that they are at all qualified to be the President?!

Ol' Fred (as he likes to call himself) looks a couple of years ol'er every time I see him.

Oh plueeze. First thing this clown does it start an anti-woman campaign.

How about we ban condoms, Viagra, and vasectomies?

LEAVE WOMEN ALONE YOU BIG, MORONIC PHILISTINE!!!

So, pro-life country-boy Fred Thompson has a history of working for an abortion rights group. The alleged pro-life conservative Fred Thompson worked as a lobbyist for the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Assn. in the early 1990s, reports the LA Times.

It was Thompson's job to lobby the H. W. Bush Administration "to withdraw or relax" the abortion "gag rule" — a rule that "barred abortion counseling at clinics that receive federal money."

By the way Fred, How old's your grandaughter, I mean wife?

You have to appreciate the moxey of a guy who can look you straight in the eye and openly advocate discrimination, undermining the US Constitution, and a return to the dark ages of medicine and civil rights. Only in a Republican America! And I thought "W" was a low as the right could go.

I wonder how many gay and lesbians are involved in the production of Law and Order and why he wasn't so persistent on the abortion issue when he was lobbying. This man is suite with no conviction. America we can do better!

The Republican party was founded on the premises to give States more rights with less Federal intrusion. If he is the Republican candidate for President I am going to vote Democrat for the first time in my life (unless it is Hillary, then I am moving to Canada).

did I say Fred as president would be "really bad new" ?? Let me rephrase that: Fred as pres. would be an unmitigated disaster for every human being on the planet!

As a Democrat, I plead for the Republicans to nominate this pandering buffoon.

The party of less government wants to tell everyone what they can or cannot do with their body.

Time for your photo-op with Pat Robertson, Dr. Land and Dr. Dobson Freddie.

Go Fred Go!!!

I really hope the American people are tired of an over bearing president whom oversteps his powers. In that light a vote for Fred is a vote for more of the same. Let the courts make law, congress pass legislation and the president handle the executive branch and the direction of the country.

Earth to Liberals. The US Constitution does not protect murdering babies and homosexuality. If you are so enamored with the US Constitution, then why do insist on destroying the right to keep and bear arms, something that is actually constitutionally protected.

Thompson is no Jed Clampett-Hello Rudy!

Rock oN!

Sigh. He didn't say he'd "ban abortion", as your link indicated. The President doesn't have that authority, as anyone who has read your Constitution knows - apparently this doesn't include folks at Cnn.com. Thompson said he'd work to overturn Roe V. Wade. By all means : throw it back to the states, and create an abortion growth industry in Canada and Mexico.

First his not commiting allows his free publicity on Law and Order. As soon as he stated his intentions all the segments of L.& O. in which he acts should have been pulled.
He is not that good of an actor but his far right wing stance scares me.
I think he is a joke. But then I thought Rush Limbaugh was a joke, until I found some take him seriously. I hope no one considers Fred seriously.

Misleading text in article …
overturn Roe v. Wade implies banning abortions.

He's saying the Congress and the People of US should VOTE on this … not the courts.

I't very important that the people of the US have their say.

Courts are too powerful and are making laws.

Well, he's certainly sounding worse by the minute.

And to think that I was wondering and even concerned what Thompson getting into the race could mean for the Democratic Party's shot for the white House. What does Fred Thompson bring to the race and to his party’s chances? Obviously, he’s hoping to rely on the tried-and-true knee-jerk reaction votes of the extreme of the religious right, by using misinformation, bigotry and fear as his hot button sound byte issues. In other words, “Vote for me and we’ll show those “liberated” women and awful gays that were not having any of that!” Thanks, Fred. Now I can rest easy knowing that educated, reasonably minded, real people of both parties aren’t going buy that and let someone like you have the opportunity to take this country BACKWARDS. Thanks again! I’m relieved.

J.Miller, more qualified than the Democrat candidates. Let's see. Obama, a one term senator. Hillary, two term senator, but wife of former president. Not qualified at all. The best presidents tend to be governors, who have run an executive branch. Senators don't run anything. They are bought by lobbyists, and vote on legislation. Senators, by and large, are not qualified. Governors, or mayors of large cities, are the best executive heads.

After listening to Fred Thompson call for a ban on gay marriage and working to overturn Roe v Wade, we say how about a constitutional amendment banning stupid men that want to turn back the clock to the 1950s.

He's a great actor. Leave politics to the ones that do it full time and know what is really going on. Don't run. I

I really don't understand the conservative agenda. They want big government to stay out of peoples affairs by taking away from Medicare and privatizing social security and health insurance, but they want to be all up in my uterus and in my bedroom. Why is that? Who gave this guy the right to judge what is good or bad for me? Stay out of my bedroom and my reproductive system, Fred!

Even though I never had any intention of voting for him, I thought Fred Thompson had more common sense than this.

Thompson's idiotic opposition to gay marriage and misguided assault on abortion rights perfectly encapsulate the Republican Party's animosity toward the principle of bodily sovereignty. What Thompson and those of his ilk seem to forget is this: I own my body, and I may do with it whatever I wish. My marriage is none of Fred's business. My medical decisions are none of Fred's business. In short, Fred's moral opinions are inapplicable to me, just as my moral whims are inapplicable to Fred.

We have descended into a state of moralistic busybodies, intent on telling everybody what they can and cannot do. Buzz off, morality police!

The Dems are far from perfect. But, at the very least, they seem to respect bodily sovereignty. That, by itself, makes every Democratic candidate infinitely more palatable than every GOP would-be Big Brother.

http://mycaseagainstgod.blogspot.com

Like clock work, every four years a Republican will dust off the issues of abortion and gay marriage to rally the base. Trouble is, over the last decade-plus, their base has been conservative Christians who like a family values kind of guy. Hmmm…the Republicans better keep looking.

Let's have separation of church and state and have civil unions available to all couples of leagal age. Enough discrimination, yes, it's Discrimination not to give gays the same rights given to straight "married" couples. We did the same to blacks and women in the past. When will they WAKE UP.

If you really think that banning access to abortion is really going to solve the abortion issue, then you are blind, Mr. Thompson!

The goal of both sides of the coin is to reduce the number of abortions- but those of us who are pro-choice want to do it by providing reliable access to birth control. But OH, you don't have to dispense it if you don't believe in it! And abstinence is the only way (as long as you love Jesus and your Bible)!

Give me a break! Give me someone who actually understands women's rights and is willing to help.

HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT

WE ARE SCREWED IF HE BECOMES PRESIDENT.

WE ARE TOTALLY SCREWED

OK Men STOP PUNISHING WOMEN!
and keep safe abortion legal for those
who wish it else the mafia will perform
this procedure or worse.
It will be impossible to overturn Roe
Vs.Wade ,Have people forgotten Gore won
the popular vote for president?
Go Democratics!
Gore/Clinton will be the ticket i'd bet on it.

Dear Mr. Thompson

It seems like you may be even dumber than Bush. Congratulations that is a rare feat. By the way if you stumble upon this and happen to know how to read

1) Only the Supreme Court can overturn Roe v. Wade, and last I checked you are not a Justice. Even if you are a justice you would need to be 5 justices to overturn Roe

2) One state CAN NOT force another state to deny/grant/recognize a gay marriage. That is already law. For this you can thank Bill Clinton and DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act)

Once again you Sir are an IDIOT.

I am very disappointed in the Ticker Headline: "'Law & Order' star: I'll ban abortion". Overturning Roe would mean that abortion law would return to the states, instead of being a federally mandated 'right' opposed by over half the country. Some states would ban abortion, but most would not. Overturning Roe does not mean BANNING abortion!

I think old Fred needs to go hunting with Dick Cheney.

Hey, Ladies, if you used birth control (or just merely kept your legs crossed) we wouldn't be having discussions about abortion (incest, rape, excluded). Abortion is just a very convenient form of birth control. You are taking a life - it is murder. And you do have a right to choice - of birth control!!!!! (talk about idiots!)

In the words of Reagan…"I feel very strongly about those social issues, but I also place my confidence in the fact that the one thing that I do seek are judges that will interpret the law and not write the law. We've had too many examples in recent years of courts and judges legislating."

And Laurie…Start shredding our Constitution??? Roe vs. Wade set a precedent for how abortion is considered legal and that should not have happened as the Supreme Court over stepped their boundaries as they have not the power to make laws According to the CONSTITUTION - Article 1, section 1. "All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives" which means Congress has the sole power to make laws and needs to rule on issues such as these.

Abortion: Look, I don't support abortion but I am not about to impose *my* personal beliefs on another person. Why? Because I don't want anyone imposing their beliefs on me.

Hypocrisy: I know a man who is pro-life - he is opposed to abortion. He is also opposed to the death penalty, the war, and the dimunition of civil rights we are facing. I respect this man. Thompson? No, I don't respect him.

Gay marraige: Why do some people have such a problem with this? Civil marraige is a contract - thats all. Any two competent people should be able to enter into a contract if its their wish to. Personally, I feel that God is the embodiment of love. Where there is love there is God. Where there is hate there is an absence of God. As such, if any two people love each other God has already given His blessing. Even those that reject God are blessed by His love because love cannot exist without God. Unless you want to argue that love isn't a gift of God I don't see where you have a leg to stand on.

"Testing the waters" phase? He's joking right? I thought he was entering the race back on the Fourth of July. Now he's STILL testing the waters? All the while collecting campaing cash I'm sure.

Does that comment he made about getting into the race even make sense? I suppose he'll appeal to the "I'd have a beer with the guy" voter.

Oh, and is he bringing his little red pickup prop? The one he left abandoned after his Senate race? It may be a little rusty, new paint will fix that up.

I agree, this bozo's a JOKE.

Sounds more and more like Thompson's campaign is going to be over before it's even begun.

To Kay in Charlotte N.C. : So, I'm assuming, if Thompson does what he sets out to do and repeals Roe V. Wade, you'll be adopting lots of unwanted babies. Right?

Gee, what a shock, one more fat white American male who thinks he has the right to make decisions about my life and body. And, how amazing, one more moral-free politician pandering to the religious right. Shades of Bush's false promises, no?

No one is going to ban abortion - the country would go nuts. The only people who care about the abortion issue are the religous right who won't let it go.

Abortion will stay legal - so just move on to another topic - and who the hell cares about gay marriage?

The freaken polar ice caps are melting - let's worry about that.

Hey there Mr. Constitution! The Constitution does protect one thing - Have you heard of the 10th Amendment? I won't explain it to you - since it seems that you have to brush up on it anyway. Roe v. Wade prevents federal tampering with an abortion law.

Likewise, we do not need a constitutional law banning homosexuality since ALL marriage laws are state laws (Federalism) with the exception of filing Federal income tax. In addition, no states allow Gay Marriage - so you might as well ban Unicorns since neither exist anyway. So good job, you have just proved that you do not know very much.

By the way the person who said "the constitution does not protect a woman's right to kill babies" is probably the most unintelligent comment I have heard in a political debate in months. It is hard not to laugh at something like that.

Whatever happened to the Conservatives who used to believe in small government and personal freedom? Were they destroyed by theocratic neocons?

All I can say is THANK GOD I'M CANADIAN!!!!!!

Fred Thompson just got my vote!

I believe you misquoted Fred.

He actually said, "we are in the testing the Kool-Aid phase”.

We also ought to ban heterosexual marriage between people who are past child-bearing age. After all, marriage is for the purpose of having kids, right, not for love?

Earth to Liberals. The US Constitution does not protect murdering babies and homosexuality. If you are so enamored with the US Constitution, then why do insist on destroying the right to keep and bear arms, something that is actually constitutionally protected.

The Constitution provides what is called a 'penumbra' of privacy protection. This is well established and based on the the 1st (right to association), 4th (prohibition of unwarranted search and seizure), 5th (due process and right to private property), and 9th (protection of rights not enumerated). As such, what two consenting adult do in the privacy of their own homes is *none* of your business.

Oh, its *really* important you understand the 9th Amendment boyo. Here is the full text for you. Think on it. The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Is there an intelligient fiber in this man at all? What are the chances we and the MSM start giving him the nickname "Bozo" Thompson.

I am really starting to think he is solely in politics because he is super envious of Schwarzeneggar and Reagan. Either that, or he is trying really hard to prove he is NOT a leftist Hollywood type.

That is why I can not be a republican. Let gays and lesbian alone. Stop using the gay issue to divide the contry. We all know that eventually gays are going to have the same rights as everybody else. Stop the nonsense.

If his statements hold water, I am definitely voting for him. Abortion is a cancer on this country. We are a sick society that, out of personal convenience, prefers to dispose of "unwanted" children. Gay marriage is no better; I am sick of homosexuals pushing their views down my throat and those of my children, lest I or they be called a "bigot." They have far too much power, and need to be stopped.

[...] under: Asides — Sarah August 17, 2007 @ 2:41 pm I appreciate your blunt honesty on your campaign platform.  Now, please excuse me while I donate gobs of money to ANYONE WHO'S NOT [...]

Abortion is not a "right." It is a law that was passed, and a bad one at that.

Keep the ignorant, discriminating comments coming Fred… cause it will certainly keep you from getting to the White House!

What an idiot, he should stick to acting, he's not a leader.

His views are so far out of touch with the majority of the US, he should stay home.

I am tired of gays pushing their agenda down my throat and that of my children in the name of "tolerance." Tolerance is nothing more than a handy way of silencing those who disagree.

Oh dear! There are so many things in this life that involve the State or Federal Government. Deciding what an individual( a woman) should do with their own bodies is not one of them. No one I know supports women using abortion as birth control, but what overwhelms this isuue is the right to control your own life. That supercedes anyone else's personal belief system. Also, you has yet to agree when a zygot becomes a human being able to sustain life? Doctors cannot decide, politicians do not have a right to decide, religious leaders cannot even agree on a definition. It is only the women who knows. Back to Fred Thompson. I just hope that our country will not vote for another dictator like Bush. Both believe that the Presidency is a throne which to rule the world. Guess what, it ain't! They are a representative of all of the people. Not just the religious right Repulicans, not just the Democrats or the Progressives…everyone. Do not push personal belief systems down my throat and pass them off as a moral right of your power. Personal beliefs do not equal political law. Let consenting adults marry, let people have personal rights and let America stand for freedom and greatness again.

One less candidate I need to consider now.

There goes his shot at the White House….oh well!!

Abortion is not a right; it is a law that was passed. When did it become sacrosanct to kill your baby as a matter of convenience?

glad to see Fred attacking the issues that affect (effect?) about 3% of the population: abortion and gay marriage. He should be ashamed of himself for pandering to the politics of fear. He can not promise to ban abortion–the people will ultimately decide (and apparantly have decided) that issue. Nothing scares the devil out of people to vote republican quite like the thought of gays getting married. Can't say I'd blame him, its a tried and true formula.

And what an actor: loved him in "Joe Dirt". Oscar.

Some states are "requiring" gay marriage now? That's certainly news to me!

God forbid this man should ever become president.

Fred Thompson: the new self-declared leader of the Christian Taliban.

In seven years George W has nearly destroyed America. Now Fred wants to finish the job. At least on TV we had a handy OFF button! What a jerk!!

I've always said that if men got pregnant, termination would NEVER have been an issue. The republican party still uses the "under my thumb" tactics.
Grow up with the rest to of the country.

Thompson disparages the Supreme Court vote on Roe v Wade, calling it undemocratic and without opinions from the American people. Does he feel the same way about the Supreme Court decision, which did not consider or reflect the opinions of the American people, when the Supreme Court decided George W Bush won his first election even though Al Gore won the popular vote?

To answer your question Mike from Virginia, the Ninth Amendment states: "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people." Since Congress and the states can't define these rights because they cannot abridge the people's constitutional rights, by default, it has to be the Supreme Court. In Roe, the Court was not making law, it was interpreting the Constitution. And for you so-called strict constructionists, please identify the constitutional provision that gave Karl Rove the right to ignore a Congressional subpoena under a claim of executive priviledge? I couldn't find that right in Article II.

When are people finally going to get tired of many Republicans open bigotry? if they were trying to prevent some other minority from marrying their loved ones they would (correctly) be described as racists and such, but because its gay people discrimination is ok? besides, to quote george carlin, 'who has less abortions than gay people? youd think they would be natural allies'

Whoever said Abortion is murder is fact is sorely mistaken. It's not fact if it were fact everyone would believe it. Don't vote for the man because of one opinion take his opinions as a whole! He wants us back in the late 1800's no rights for women or minorities, only old rich white guys should have their say so! It'll be a sad sad day if Fred Thompson wins!

Thompson needs to stay on "Law and DISorder". What a dimwit!

With their miserable slate of candidates the Republicans are going to find it impossible to win in '08 even if they rig the voting machines!

Banning gay marriage and abortion? While I am a HUGE fan of L&W, this man won't be getting MY vote! I'm not gay and neither have I ever had an abortion in my 40+years on this planet (and I am of the female persuasion), but I support the "right to choose" on both issues.

These pronouncements are proof positive that he will continue the arrogant Republican platform of telling Americans what to do, not asking them what they want to do.

What? Are you joking! What is wrong with this republicans(american Taliban). This guy is just another Bush. God help us all.

How about we set up a time line for the government to stop interfering with personal freedom? Or maybe we could focus on real issues like education, health care or all the money we are wasting in Iraq? My idea of "bad medicine" is the disgustingly inflated prices on prescription medication. Perhaps we should focus on things that actually affect all American's rather than just a few people who feel they have the right to dictate morality to everyone based on their own religious beliefs…go back to the 1950's and stay there Thompson!

Allowing the government to make a decision to take away womens rights is rediculous. I will be ashamed to be part of a country that takes the rights of women away.

here we go… men should stay out of these women issues and stop using Roe VS Wade for political points…

next it will be the "gay" issue…
the GOP play book… it get's so sickening and so old…. we have real problems we need to fix in this country and these jerks just love the politics of divide… stop for god sakes stop.. stop …
we only need solutions not the old GOP bull crap…please

while we are at it lets just ban guns, free speech, and 8 year term limits.. why not just get rid of the constitution all together since everyone just wants to keep changing it..

I really wish that the Democrats would wake up and smell the coffee when it comes to abortion. If they modified their position to allow some limits and oversite of this procedure, this could take this issue right off the table and the wind out of the holier than thou sails of this unproductive debate.

I really do not understand the conservative viewpoint on abortion. The state does sanction the killing of innocent people, when it serves the greater good. What the heck is a war? A lot of innocent people get killed in a war. Or how about when the EPA needs to set guidelines? They have policies that deal with acceptable risks - its a nicer word than saying how many people will die as a result of their decision. The state DOES NOT require people to donate their organs upon death, a situation that kills hundreds of innocents every day. Abortion is horrible, but so is the long, agonizing death from liver or heart failure. Death is bad. Period.

So the state does set limits and deals with issues that result directly in death to someone. It would be so much better for this country if everyone would just give a little on this issue.

PS - Fred, we just don't need another guy who has to learn on the job.

As a woman who was unable to naturally miscarry a failed fetus, the ability to have a safe medical procedure to remove this was an absolute necessity. (It is possible to carry a dead fetus, make no mistake of that.) If not for Roe vs Wade, my life would have ended a year ago.

It is appalling that anyone in a country that prides itself on equality and acceptance would support someone filled with such hate. Abortion & Homosexuality are persecuted by religion. The option must be permitted on a government level. Every American does not share the same religious beliefs. That is exactly why the Constitution supports “separation of Church & State”. The options must be within government so that the People may decide as they believe. Tolerance is the essence of this country. The Federal Government as well as the State Government has absolutely no right to create laws that force inequality, bigotry, and segregation.

It's the 21st Century. I thought we had evolved beyond such hatred.

As far as Womans Reproductive Rights, If you have willingly engaged in unprotected sex, you should bare the results if conception occurs.

To say you have the right to wipe away the results of a decision you made, you're a hypocritical cheater of the gift you abuse by your own own flip-flop in not accepting the consequences of your choices and actions.

If your health or that of the baby are in jeopardy, or if the engagement was not consentual or legal, then you have the right to reconsider the terms of the resulting outcome. Otherwise - accept the consequences of your choices and actions.

The results are a likelihood, not an OOPS!

Abortion for all is just an easy out for not having the common sense to use protection in the first place. If you can't deal with the consequence don't do the deed.

I am not totally against abortion, only when it is a matter of convenience. I also don't think the state should pay to end a life when the state won't pay to help a couple with fertility problems.

But hey leave it to all you Democrats to be all about being reliant on the government to do everything, including whiping your butt for yah. It is why certain groups of people are thankful for your willingness to re-distribute wealth and act like the constitution doesn't specifically address equality in taxation.

As a Democrat, I would really like to see Fred run for President. It would be let's say, a gift from God and the Republicans!

As their fearful leader has said - "Bring Fred on!"

he has my vote…

So, CNN throws a slam-article out there with the idea of making Thompson look bad, and every one of the left-wing CNN-ites jump on it like a live grenade (oh, if only it were).

The hypocrisy in all these "comments" is overwhelming to the point of sickening. Courts don't make laws, congress does. Presidents don't make laws, although WJClinton certainly thought he could.

The real problem in the US right now is a population that refuses to read, learn, apply critical thinking, and examine issues without all the flag-waving (or -burning) hyperbole.

Anyone who commented here and included the idea that they'd rather move to another country: do it. Do it now. Don't wait to see how the vote goes. Just pack up and move to a better place. Don't let the screen door hit ya on the way out.

gee, i guess all those unwanted pregnancies that turn into unwanted children that turn into welfare recipients have something to look forward to - let's get his home address and send him some kids to take care of - what an idiot. i am never watching a Law & Order show again.

On the CNN homepage the link reads that Thompson would 'Ban Abortion', when in fact, he would not ban it at all! He would simply work to overturn Roe v. Wade, and when that happens the issue simply becomes one that the States can decide for themselves. But most people are uneducated to the extent that they believe that overturning Roe v Wade would ban all abortions, which simply isn't true. It is a State's rights issue, not a Federal one. Let the people decide and over turn Roe v Wade! More power to Thompson

I hope that we the people are not stupid enough to elect another moron to the White House.

And all you pro life people out there - if you are so pro life then go out and adopt a black child. And I say black child because black and older children are less likely to ever be adopted. So save a kids life if you are so eager to. And get your face out of abortion rights. Its not your business what I chose to do.

I agree with some of my fellow posters who assert that Thompson would be the BEST thing for the democrats.

He would do the same thing for Democrats that Hillary Clinton is currently doing for Republicans.

Talk like this (Roe) would also preclude the Republican candidate from getting ANY independent support.

It would be VERY bad for Republicans if this guy were to get the nomination.

Fortunately for them, he has NO chance to get the nomination.

So besides the fact that this guy is a joke, cant we worry about issues that are actually effecting the country? How does a woman having an abortion, or let alone even the right to have one, solve terrorism? How will that lower the crime rate? Why are sex offenders out on the street to harm other children and women? Gay marriage is not affecting me in anyway, Im sleeping just fine at night. No one has lost there job or gotten sick over till! I just dont understand! Lets try to fix the things that are actually bringing thid country down, how about that?

Lisa ~ San Diego

You wrote, "I really don't understand the conservative agenda. They want big government to stay out of people’s affairs by taking away from Medicare and privatizing social security and health insurance, but they want to be all up in my uterus and in my bedroom. Why is that? Who gave this guy the right to judge what is good or bad for me? Stay out of my bedroom and my reproductive system, Fred!"

Lisa, I don't think Fred, or any of us want to be "all up in your uterus". I'm not speaking for the whole conservative agenda (I don't think there really is an agenda unless your husband is being pursued for an elicit affair in the White House… then there is a VAST agenda) - but what most conservatives espouse are courts, which simply decide whether laws are good (constitutional) or bad (unconstitutional). Conservatives do not want courts, which legislate (create new laws) from the bench. Congress should create new Laws.

Why is this important?

Hypothetically - what would happen if the US Supreme court reversed Roe V Wade? (suggesting abortions are not legal). There would be an outcry. Congress would draft and pass some type of legislation supporting a woman's right to choose. THAT's how it's supposed to be done - through congress.

People on these blogs always cite "the Constitution" as the source for allowing all kinds of choices (abortion, gay marriage, etc) - but that is flat wrong. The Constitution SIMPLY names a few basic rights and then says the rest it up to the will-of-the-people (democratic legislation).

If the majority of Americans do not agree with Gay "Marriage" (as many states have already passed legislation) then Gay Marriage will not be legalized/recognized. If the majority of Americans do not support abortion (which clearly more DO support some type of choice) then things would change.

Everyone gets so hyped up when a conservative voices their opinion about social issues. It's ok, Lisa. You and your uterus are safe.

PS - many fiscal conservatives want to change social security (not Medicare) because it's going broke and can't sustain the aging retiring population. If your car is on empty you don't keep driving and think ignoring the warning light somehow makes the problem go away.

Just because you want to ban gay marriage does not mean you are a "gay basher" it can simply mean that you feel marriage is between a man and a woman. It doesn't mean you are trying to pass laws against someones sexual preference.
And for the abortion issue- I just cant understand why people think that if the mother and the mother alone-no say so from the father- wants to kill her unborn child than thats just fine as long is the child is still -or just a part of the childs body to be exact- is still in the mothers body -partial birth abortion- but once the baby is totally out we call that murder? Whats wrong with you people! Your outraged -as you should be- when a mother kills her newborn or when some crazy husband kills his pregant wife and child but you want to keep it perfecly fine and legal for her to have it done by a "doctor". The father should be able to press murder charges cause he sure would have to pay if the woman decided to keep the baby. Where are his rights? Why does he only have them once the child is born? Womens rights my rearend- by abortion your killin off half the future population of women.

These phony GOP hopefuls (one and all) don't have anything to say other than abortion, gay marriage, religion, or faith. They are more worried about preserving an unborn life (not conceived) than the human genocide taking place elsewhere in the world. And, the loss of these innocent human lives is due to Bush's arrogant policies. If these hypocrite bunch call themselves as true christians, then they should care for the welfare of millions of unisured children, and do something about the massacre that is going on elsewhere than to talk about these irrelevant issues. No wonder this country is considered as backward in its policies and welfare of its nation. If you elect these idiots, then there is no difference between us and the sponsorers of Taliban like government.

It's so funny how some conservatives blame CNN for anything negative about their political idols.
The far right (complete idiots) claim the "liberal media" and the far left (also idiots) complain about the media being totally part of the corporate agenda. Maybe there's some truth to these arguments, but you people are no worse than feeble-minded who see a conspiracy behind EVERYTHING.
Oh, and Fred Thompson…whatever buddy.

Jess…actually Giuliani has recently withdrawn his support for civil unions for homosexual couples, saying that he favors a much more limited set of protections for same-sex couples than for heterosexual couples. Any way you slice it, Giuliani is now (sadly) pandering to the right as well.

Another few important questions to ask the "pro-life" people here are –

(Yes, I put pro-life in sarcastic quotes because you usually support the death penalty, and do not support stem cell research that would help save existing people, and you support a war that kills many Middle Easterners as well as American soldiers (in vain))

–Are you people going to adopt all these unwanted babies if abortion was to be deemed illegal?

–Are you going to give money to overcrowded orphanages filled with unwanted babies?

–Are you going to agree with the large tax increases that would be caused by the even more overcrowded prisons and orphanages filled with these unwanted, unloved babies as they grow up?

My guess is that your answers to all of these would be no.

This just highlights the complete hypocrisy of most "pro-lifers".

18th Century Puritans like this are we are laughed at by all of the "civilized" nations of the world.
Yes, he will make agreat candidate, for the DEMS!

To: Mike, Reston, VA

Um.. WOW.

1) People have the Right to use drugs, the Viagra Thompson uses to keep up with is child bride is a DRUG

2) Prostitution is legal… ever been to Nevada?

3) Gambling is legal, ever been to the United State?

4) What is the difference b/w a AK 47(legal)/automatic pistol (legal) and a machine gun (probably legal esp. Texas)

5) It is not illegal (in every state) to ride a motorcycle w/o a helmet. Stupid but not illegal

Conservatives are all about personal rights until the personal rights of others conflict with their beliefs. What is right for you MIKE is not right for all. Stay in your bubble while I live my live.

"mayors of large cities, are the best executive heads"

Yep … and that's one of the reasons why Rudy will most likely get my vote … that and the fact that he is a republican, but actually has a brain inside that head that's on top of his shoulders.

Fred Thompson would propose banning abortion???? He should add except for those who can't afford a first class plane ticket to a first class, safe, European clinic where such a procedure can be performed with absolute privacy.

[...] isn't anything he hasn't said before, but CNN's Political Ticker has a new video of Thompson discussing his views on gay marriage, Roe vs. Wade, and when he will [...]

Conservatives are no longer conservatives. A true conservative is an advocate of the federalist papers and would not attempt to override state rights. A constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage would do just that.
This is the same rhetoric as the other republican candidates. they think they can garner the neo-conservative vote by pandering to their main issues which are a ban on abortions and gay rights. Personally, I think that an abortion should only be performed in the case of rape, incest or if the mother's life is in danger. However, I do not think the federal government should intrude upon a woman's right to choose. Nor do I think the federal government should intrude in one's bedroom.
We have other issues that need to be addressed such as that abysmal debacle in iraq, global warming, health insurance issues among others. This "candidate"(and i use the word in the broadest context possible) is just like the rest of the Bush wantabees. Much too much time is spent on gay rights and abortion rights when there are a myriad of other issues that need to be discussed but none of the republican candidates are doing so.
As far as I'm concerned there isn't much difference between al-quaeda and the neo-conservative republican base. they both have a very narrow definition of what they deem right and acceptable and if you deviate from their prescribed list of rights and wrongs you are castigated. one is just like the other and fred is just pandering to the neo-conservative republican base.

One word: MENACE. People like him should be deported! Instead of trying to track down illegal immigrants, we should be deporting hate mongers like Thompson!

Nice to see that Daily Kos kids are out in force.
If he's no danger to Shrill Hill, why hammer him so hard?
Me thinks thou(s) doth protest too much…

The headline poses him as "star" of "Law & Order". He is at best a B rated actor who has a total of about 2 minutes max on any episode. Fred Thompson is a phoney who rented a red pickup to portray himself as a "good ole boy" in the Tennessee Senate race he won. He was also a Nixon "mole" in the Watergate hearings, who informed the Nixon whitehouse of evidence the committee had when they were considering impeachment, although he was supposedly the counsel to the committee considering impeachment. He is a skalawag througn and through.

If Fred Thompson makes it through the primary, he will be another Bob Dole. He will lose and lose badly.

Oh Lord I am praying that a lot of idiots don't vote for this geezer….Heck, you thought Bush/Cheney was bad—well hopefully we won’t have this senile old goat running the country. Someone please tell me what qualifies this man to be president besides being a lobbyist and low level actor???

They can overturn Roe v Wade right after they make vasectomies mandatory. Vasectomies are reverseable and every male should be forced to comply with this. When they are ready to be daddies, they can have the procedure reversed. When they are done making babies it can be done again.

UNTIL men are forced to be responsible with THEIR reproductive organs, women need to have the right to be responsible for theirs, and in cases of rape, incest, the mothers health this is important. It is ALSO important when birth control methods fail those who are being responsible to be able to terminate a pregnancy they are not prepared for.

Lastly, the day men act responsibly when their hormones are raging is the day they MIGHT be able to try to dictate what I can and cannot do with my own body (and I can't have more children).

And for all those perfect people out there; there is no 100% full proof method of birth control outside of abstinance. Human beings ARE sexual creatures by nature, therefore abstinence is NOT realistic, at least not for the normal average person (especially where men are concerned by my experience).

I also don't understand this obsession with caring who loves who. If two people love each other enough to commit to each other, why not let them get married. On the other hand…….I say let's just ban "marriage" and grant everyone who is together as a couple and co-habitating, the same rights now afforded only "married" couples. A notorized letter of commitment would suffice, and a notarized notice of separation would remove those rights. This will eliminate the need for going broke paying some lawyer to produce the same results.

Wow, can he suck up to the right wing christian fundamentalists a little harder? Thats just what this country needs is another 4 more years of neoconservative insanity!! I think the winner of the '08 presidential election is going to be the anti-bush. thompson will get the fundies money, but mainstream America wont buy into this garbage anymore.

Another "Ripped from the headlines" republican populist idealogue.

So, Fred is for federalism when it comes to abortion, but against it when it comes to the right of states to decide their own marriage laws. Great, so he's for something except when he's against it. Just what we need, another guy who is going to do whatever he wants and not really care about justifying it with any sort of consistent principle, other than "God told me to".

This type of political platform makes me sick. Banning gay marriage and abortion…..If these are the items at the top of his agenda he should become a priest NOT the President of the United States. WAKE UP! We've got much more pressing issues in this country to deal with.

what a jerk! there are so many more important issues than abortion and gay marriage…no wonder this country is going to ruin! while the rest of the 1st world countries are offering health care, education, legal rights for everyone, policitians here only fixate on issues that do nothing for the country besides divide it even further. roe vs. wade should be left alone. good thing i got my abortion already!! and let me tell you…until a man has to make that decision with his body, he has absolutely no right to tell women what they can legally do. fred thompson-you seriously suck and you're a bad actor! find a different job!

Here we go. He couldn't wait to play the abortion card. Now we will have to put up with this non issue for a year or so.

Oh boy, here we go!! If that's how he wants his opening headlines to read as he jumps into the presidential candidacy fray, is he ever in for a shock!! And he's the last