"We are steeped in the tradition of honor and sacrifice for the greater good. We are proud of this heritage. I believe that Americans are once again ready to achieve this greater good, which is nothing less than the security, prosperity, and unity of our country."
In contrast, there is a rather damaging article about Fred Thompson on the ABC News site, The Blotter.
Nixon on Thompson: 'Dumb' but 'Friendly'
October 09, 2007 9:06 AM
Fred Thompson has made much of his role 30 years ago as a young Senate lawyer helping to lead the investigation of the Watergate scandal and President Richard Nixon.
But a much different, less valiant picture of Thompson emerges from listening to the White House audiotapes made at the time, as President Nixon plotted strategy with his aides in the Oval Office...
They have transcripts of Nixon and his cronies referring to Mr. Thompson as "dumb."
But, that is not what is damaging. Thompson is no Al Gore, but he probably is not stupid, either. Plus, no one cares what Nixon thought. What is damaging is this:
In another conversation some weeks later, Nixon and his advisers were still describing Thompson as not very smart but at least beginning to play ball.
"Our approach is now, we've got a pretty good rapport with Fred Thompson. He came through fine for us this morning," White House counsel Fred Buzhardt says on a tape from June 6...
...A few days later, White House aides are heard saying Thompson will be even more helpful than his boss, Sen. Baker, and that Thompson agreed to secretly help undercut the credibility of White House whistleblower John Dean...
If accurate, this means that Fred Thompson conspired with the Nixon team to interfere with an investigation. I'd say that our country has had enough of this kind of thing. Yeah, Watergate was a long time ago. Maybe Thompson has changed. But this is a highly damaging revelation, as it calls into question Mr. Thompson's commitment to truth and justice.
Comments
" ... and the American way"?
Based on the primacy of "security", it appears that's not high on his list either. What happened to "liberty" as a greater good to achieve?
Posted by: Mark P | October 10, 2007 1:11 PM
You liberals are always so caught up on the importance of abstract concepts, such as "Truth", and "Justice". Next week we'll be hearing about how "Beauty" is somehow a necessary prerequisite in our presidential aspirants. Meanwhile, real Americans have a war to fight. Against "Terror".
Posted by: stumpy | October 10, 2007 3:00 PM
Abstract concepts obviously are a little hard for stumpy to grasp. The "War on Terror" seems to be about as far as he can stretch his brain. Even an half-wit apologist should be able to see that conspiracy and obstruction of justice are probably not great qualifications for a presidential candidate.
Posted by: Don Grimm | October 10, 2007 4:14 PM
Er, I think '"Terror"' was in quotemarks there for a reason...
Posted by: Trip the Space Parasite | October 10, 2007 4:23 PM
I know Stumpy, and he's OK. He does tend to speak with an ironic twist, which is not obvious unless you are there to see it.
Posted by: Joseph j7uy5 | October 11, 2007 2:26 AM