Fred Thompson

[jhat01]

What' funny is, this is the first article I've read about him. A no smoking ban? lol This is the "champion" of the republican party?? He walks right down the party line like the rest of them.



Fred Thompson: Al Qaeda smoking ban pushed Iraqis to U.S.

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BY RICHARD SISK
DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU

Saturday, September 8th 2007, 4:00 AM


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SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Freshly minted GOP White House hopeful Fred Thompson puzzled Iowans yesterday by insisting an Al Qaeda smoking ban was one reason freedom-loving Iraqis bolted to the U.S. side.

"They said, 'You gotta quit smoking,'" Thompson explained to a questioner asking about progress in Iraq during a town hall-style meeting.

Thompson said the smoking ban and terror tactics Al Qaeda used to oppress women and intimidate local leaders pushed tribes in western Anbar Province to support U.S. troops.

But Thompson's tale of a smokers' revolt baffled some in the audience of about 150 who came to decide whether the former Tennessee senator is ready for prime time.

"I don't know what that was about," said Jim Moran, 72, who had driven from nearby McCook Lake, S.D.

Iowans, several of whom told the Daily News they were intrigued by Thompson's down-home charm, got their first extended chance to press for details of his broad theme of "common-sense conservatism."

On abortion, Thompson said he would appoint judges in favor of overturning Roe vs. Wade but had reservations about a constitutional amendment banning it.

He also said he'd finish a wall along the Mexican border to stop illegal immigration: "We get to decide who comes into our home."

Thompson said "things are turning around" in Iraq and that troop reductions should not be linked to some "arbitrary time line."

His cue to stop talking came from 4-year-old daughter Hayden, who came on stage with a bow in her hair to tug on Thompson's pants leg - drawing "oohs" from the audience.

Thompson received mixed reviews from several listeners who had reservations about his late entry into the race.

Carol Perrin, 62, a retired schoolteacher, said, "I was impressed. I don't think he's selling us a bill of goods."

But Ralph Hecht, 61, a farmer and Marine Vietnam veteran whose son served two tours in Iraq with the Army, said Thompson's attempts at folksy appeal wouldn't work with him. "For me, it will be the issues stuff," Hecht said.

[mosca]

He might have baffled some of the audience, but what Thompson says does have some merit to it. In areas in Iraq where al-Qaeda gangsters came to take power, bans on smoking and other fundamentalist laws (which Iraqis hadn't been subjected to until now) have helped in turning the local Sunni populace against the al-Qaeda.

[alkemical]

Yeah but he also lobbied for Aristead - so wtf good is he.

[Bronco Bob]

Originally Posted by mosca

He might have baffled some of the audience, but what Thompson says does have some merit to it. In areas in Iraq where al-Qaeda gangsters came to take power, bans on smoking and other fundamentalist laws (which Iraqis hadn't been subjected to until now) have helped in turning the local Sunni populace against the al-Qaeda.

Something else you don't hear to much about is one of the reason a lot
of those Sunni tribal leaders in Anbar came over to the US side is that
the US paid them off. Now I don't have a problem with buying friendship
if it's going to save American lives, but lets not mistake these Sunni
leaders turning to our side out of some sense of freedom and morality.

[alkemical]

Originally Posted by Bronco Bob

Something else you don't hear to much about is one of the reason a lot
of those Sunni tribal leaders in Anbar came over to the US side is that
the US paid them off. Now I don't have a problem with buying friendship
if it's going to save American lives, but lets not mistake these Sunni
leaders turning to our side out of some sense of freedom and morality.

If friendship is bought, then you know there's a price tag on it....

[SPfloppy]

Still he's a better option than Hildog

[Rohirrim]

I think Fred is the perfect fit for what America needs now: A nap. Every time I see the guy, I'm reminded of Old Yeller. Old Yeller with the personality of Eeyore.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

I think Fred is the perfect fit for what America needs now: A nap. .

Similar thougts here Ro. What America needs now is a uniter - someone who can bring us all back together and repair all of the bad will and polarization. I don't see that in any of the candidates and some would make a bad situation worse.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Originally Posted by Billy Clyde Puckett

Similar thougts here Ro. What America needs now is a uniter - someone who can bring us all back together and repair all of the bad will and polarization. I don't see that in any of the candidates and some would make a bad situation worse.

I really don't see how that is possible.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

I really don't see how that is possible.

The corporate thugs who own the political system lock, stock, and barrel don't want a united America.

Polarization is their bread and butter.

If you're still not convinced, then read the article TJ just posted describing the way Ron Paul was treated by the corporate media lapdogs in the recent GOP debates.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

I think Fred is the perfect fit for what America needs now: A nap. Every time I see the guy, I'm reminded of Old Yeller. Old Yeller with the personality of Eeyore.

[alkemical]

Fred Thompson to raise funds for Scooter Libby defense