January 16, 2008
Posted: 05:30 PM ET
Thompson is getting tough on his rivals.
ABBEVILLE, South Carolina (CNN) -– Fred Thompson continued his attacks on all three of his main Republican rivals in South Carolina Wednesday. The former Tennessee senator, running behind John McCain, Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney in recent surveys in the state, has staked his candidacy on a strong showing in the GOP primary there this Saturday. Asked by a voter Wednesday how his record on "conservative Christian values" stacked up against those of Huckabee and John McCain, he immediately criticized the former Arkansas governor. "Just to cut through the baloney, it was me and not him who received the National Right to Life endorsement," he said. "Who do you think knows my record better? They've been following me since 1994." Thompson repeated the criticisms he made against Huckabee at last weekend's GOP debate in Myrtle Beach, especially on the issue of illegal immigration.
"He said, well he felt compassionate about the children. Well, what about the other children who are being induced to come across the border in the future, from Mexico or wherever?" asked Thompson. Thompson also criticized his close friend John McCain, calling the Arizona senator "wrong on immigration" and mistaken in his early opposition to President Bush's tax cuts, but quickly pivoted back to Huckabee. "At least McCain's record been out there for about 20 years. We got some Johnny-come-latelys now that don’t want to talk about their record. And they're hoping there's not enough time for anybody to examine it," he said. Thompson also gave a backhanded compliment to Michigan primary winner Mitt Romney. "Gov. Romney was very effective in Michigan doing what he does best, and that is tailoring his message to a different audience," Thompson said. – CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby Filed under: Fred Thompson South Carolina |
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