The American Spectator

The Spectacle Blog

There's also a Weekly Standard cover story on Fred Thompson, in which he addresses some of the news accounts from his 1994 Senate run that described him as pro-choice:

"I have read these accounts and tried to think back 13 years ago as to what may have given rise to them. Although I don't remember it, I must have said something to someone as I was getting my campaign started that led to a story. Apparently, another story was based upon that story, and then another was based upon that, concluding I was pro-choice."

But, he adds: "I was interviewed and rated pro-life by the National Right to Life folks in 1994, and I had a 100 percent voting record on abortion issues while in the Senate."

Should he jump into the race--as now seems likely--more and more comments like this will surface from that time indicating he did once hold views that most people would consider pro-choice. However, based on anecdotally on feedback I've gotten when reporting on this issue, it seems that his voting record and overall likeability will be enough to make social conservatives overlook those past statements. Many conservatives are desperate to find an alternative to the current crop of candidates, and they really like Thompson, so they'll be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

topics:
Abortion