Thompson sticks to guns over guns
On the day that South Florida mourned a gunned-down police officer, Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson stopped in Miami and stuck firmly to his guns over what he says is the unnecessary call for limiting the right to bear arms.
''I do not think that abrogating Second Amendment rights is a good idea,'' the Republican said at the Versailles Restaurant in Little Havana.
''The amount of violence created on the street by these kinds of weapons is very, very small,'' he said. ``It's too bad. It's horrendous. Any kind -- whether it's a knife or an IED or a gun -- innocent people, especially law enforcement officers, are vulnerable all the time, we know that. But on balance you've got to ask what is good for society and what does the Second Amendment say.''
Though such a position after the Thursday slaying of Miami-Dade officer Jose Somohano will make Thompson the target of gun-control advocates, it's all but guaranteed to shore up his already strong support among gun-rights supporters. Gun-show promoter Victor Bean, for instance, is granting Thompson's campaign exclusive access to his shows.
Thompson, a former actor, lobbyist and Tennessee senator, tours a Lakeland gun show today. And he headlined a New Port Richey Reagan Day Dinner Friday evening where a Colt .45 was to be raffled off.
Thompson made his remarks concerning guns to reporters and not supporters in Versailles. He later mentioned the need for strong Second Amendment rights at a speech in Cape Coral, where the crowd applauded.
In Miami, Thompson's tone was also less sharp when it came to curbing illegal immigration. He went to extra lengths to laud immigrants before he called for stronger border security, winning applause. The candidate couldn't say how much it would cost to stop illegal immigration from Mexico, which he has repeatedly singled out.
''Yeah, I've got it down to the dime, but not to the nickel yet. But I'll let you know when I do,'' he grinned when asked about the pricetag in Cape Coral. He also told reporters that he favors some type of ban on allowing illegal immigrants to gain preferential treatment for U.S. residency if their child is born in the country.
Thompson, running second in many Florida and national polls behind GOP rival Rudy Giuliani, blamed Democrat Hillary Clinton for what he said was unfairly hyping a comment he made in June suggesting Cuban immigrants were carrying ''suitcase bombs.'' He had clarified the statement to note that he was referring to potential spies.
At each campaign stop, Thompson mentioned the need for more energy independence and later told reporters he would consider approving oil drilling off Florida in addition to encouraging more nuclear power, ``clean coal(>>) and bio fuels. Throughout the day, the candidate stressed his campaign themes of ``Security, Unity, Prosperity(>>) by serving up detail-thin promises of less taxes, a smaller federal government, less spending and more support for the war in Iraq and against terrorists.
In comparison to his smooth campaign speeches Thursday across the state, Thompson, 65, seemed wearier Friday, fumbling for words more often in Miami and breathing heavily in the wilting humidity near the Caloosahatchee River at Jaycee Park in Cape Coral, where the crowd numbered in the hundreds and was heavily enthusiastic.
The reception was warm in Little Havana, though a few groused that there wasn't enough Spanish translation. Miami Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, who said Thompson inspired him to become involved this election, was asked by the campaign to keep the Spanish-speaking to a minimum.
At Versailles, Thompson told the mostly Cuban American crowd that he would maintain the embargo and other sanctions against the Fidel Castro government.
Thompson began his day in interviews on Spanish-language radio station WAQI-Radio Mamb?, where he was asked if he would, as president, move to indict Raul Castro, the head of the Cuban armed forces, for the shoot-down of two Brothers to the Rescue planes over the Florida Straits in 1996. The incident led to the deaths of four Cuban Americans.
''I'd have the attorney general look into that,'' Thompson said, though he warned he didn't want to take any action that would make it easier for other nations to indict American military leaders abroad.''
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/237555.html
''I do not think that abrogating Second Amendment rights is a good idea,'' the Republican said at the Versailles Restaurant in Little Havana.
''The amount of violence created on the street by these kinds of weapons is very, very small,'' he said. ``It's too bad. It's horrendous. Any kind -- whether it's a knife or an IED or a gun -- innocent people, especially law enforcement officers, are vulnerable all the time, we know that. But on balance you've got to ask what is good for society and what does the Second Amendment say.''
Though such a position after the Thursday slaying of Miami-Dade officer Jose Somohano will make Thompson the target of gun-control advocates, it's all but guaranteed to shore up his already strong support among gun-rights supporters. Gun-show promoter Victor Bean, for instance, is granting Thompson's campaign exclusive access to his shows.
Thompson, a former actor, lobbyist and Tennessee senator, tours a Lakeland gun show today. And he headlined a New Port Richey Reagan Day Dinner Friday evening where a Colt .45 was to be raffled off.
Thompson made his remarks concerning guns to reporters and not supporters in Versailles. He later mentioned the need for strong Second Amendment rights at a speech in Cape Coral, where the crowd applauded.
In Miami, Thompson's tone was also less sharp when it came to curbing illegal immigration. He went to extra lengths to laud immigrants before he called for stronger border security, winning applause. The candidate couldn't say how much it would cost to stop illegal immigration from Mexico, which he has repeatedly singled out.
''Yeah, I've got it down to the dime, but not to the nickel yet. But I'll let you know when I do,'' he grinned when asked about the pricetag in Cape Coral. He also told reporters that he favors some type of ban on allowing illegal immigrants to gain preferential treatment for U.S. residency if their child is born in the country.
Thompson, running second in many Florida and national polls behind GOP rival Rudy Giuliani, blamed Democrat Hillary Clinton for what he said was unfairly hyping a comment he made in June suggesting Cuban immigrants were carrying ''suitcase bombs.'' He had clarified the statement to note that he was referring to potential spies.
At each campaign stop, Thompson mentioned the need for more energy independence and later told reporters he would consider approving oil drilling off Florida in addition to encouraging more nuclear power, ``clean coal(>>) and bio fuels. Throughout the day, the candidate stressed his campaign themes of ``Security, Unity, Prosperity(>>) by serving up detail-thin promises of less taxes, a smaller federal government, less spending and more support for the war in Iraq and against terrorists.
In comparison to his smooth campaign speeches Thursday across the state, Thompson, 65, seemed wearier Friday, fumbling for words more often in Miami and breathing heavily in the wilting humidity near the Caloosahatchee River at Jaycee Park in Cape Coral, where the crowd numbered in the hundreds and was heavily enthusiastic.
The reception was warm in Little Havana, though a few groused that there wasn't enough Spanish translation. Miami Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, who said Thompson inspired him to become involved this election, was asked by the campaign to keep the Spanish-speaking to a minimum.
At Versailles, Thompson told the mostly Cuban American crowd that he would maintain the embargo and other sanctions against the Fidel Castro government.
Thompson began his day in interviews on Spanish-language radio station WAQI-Radio Mamb?, where he was asked if he would, as president, move to indict Raul Castro, the head of the Cuban armed forces, for the shoot-down of two Brothers to the Rescue planes over the Florida Straits in 1996. The incident led to the deaths of four Cuban Americans.
''I'd have the attorney general look into that,'' Thompson said, though he warned he didn't want to take any action that would make it easier for other nations to indict American military leaders abroad.''
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/237555.html
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Thompson doesn't have a "perfect" pro-gun record by any means....He does, however, speak out for gun rights at times when others are afraid to do so...
Not many politicians would speak out for gun rights the day after a cop was gunned down. Fewer still would call for allowing guns on campus in the wake of the Va. Tech shootings....0 -
20 something wife? what gives? a 20 something first lady? not hardly. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by bobski
20 something wife? what gives? a 20 something first lady? not hardly.
Ummmmm....Fred Thompson's wife is 400 -
I like Thompson on the second amendment, very much. I also like his views on immigration.
But he is so mistaken on Iraq that I can't vote for him.0 -
quote:Originally posted by allen griggs
I like Thompson on the second amendment, very much. I also like his views on immigration.
But he is so mistaken on Iraq that I can't vote for him.
What is his stance on Iraq? I just havn't payed attention to him so I don't know.0 -
Whoever wrote this story on Thompson sure leans to the left. 0 -
" 20 something wife? what gives? a 20 something first lady? not hardly." Lets stick to facts guy. She is at least 40 and have 2 children since their marriage. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by allen griggs
I like Thompson on the second amendment, very much. I also like his views on immigration.
But he is so mistaken on Iraq that I can't vote for him.
Who has the stance on Iraq that you can support yet is pro second ammendment?0 -
Thompson thinks the Iraq War is necessary, and that the surge is great.
Who wants to get out of Iraq, and also supports the second amendment?
Nobody.
Here is a good example of my dilemma.
Kucinich want the troops out as soon as possible.
On immigration, he wants open borders and citizenship given to all illegals. He won't even use the word illegal, says a human being cannot be illegal.
Also, he wants confiscation of all firearms.
I won't be voting for him, either.0 -
quote:Originally posted by allen griggs
Thompson thinks the Iraq War is necessary, and that the surge is great.
Who wants to get out of Iraq, and also supports the second amendment?
Nobody.
Here is a good example of my dilemma.
Kucinich want the troops out as soon as possible.
On immigration, he wants open borders and citizenship given to all illegals. He won't even use the word illegal, says a human being cannot be illegal.
Also, he wants confiscation of all firearms.
I won't be voting for him, either.
Bingo! It means you are going to have to give on something.
Don't you love voting for the least of two favorites? What a system we have![:(!]0 -
Does Fred Thompson own guns,are he and his family protected with armed bodyguards?I would like to ask that to all the Presidential candidates. 0 -
He was at the Lakeland FL gunshow today, said that he would push for a national carry law if elected! 0
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