Cohen Calls Out Lobbyist Thompson On His "Lie"

In today's Washington Post Richard Cohen points out that Fred Thompson hasn't been forthcoming to say the least in regards to his past. As lobbyist Fred Thompson has been running a "campaign" question about his past have arisen. The Los Angeles Times originally noted that Fred Thompson had been a lobbyist for a pro-choice orginization, something that Fred Thompson categorically denied through a spokesman. It turned out that that denial wasn't up to snuff, and Fred Thompson had to quickly back away from that "denial" when billing records became public.

Today Richard Cohen points out that major problem with the Thompson campaign and his as a "straight-shooting"lobbyist.

Fred Thompson has stepped out of character. To much of America, he is Arthur Branch, the district attorney he portrays on the TV series "Law and Order." Branch is a straight shooter, a no-nonsense kind of guy who says what he means and means what he says. In contrast, the actor who plays him can be quite a different man. I don't think Arthur Branch would vote for Fred Thompson.

Branch's problem, as well as my own, is that Thompson does not always tell the truth. He clearly did not when it was revealed that back when he was a lobbyist, he worked for a family-planning outfit. Such honorable work is, of course, verboten to most Republicans, and so, for understandable but inexcusable reasons, Thompson -- through a spokesman -- lied. There are nicer words, I know, but when you give the impression that what is true is false, that is a lie. Arthur Branch would understand.

"Fred Thompson did not lobby for this group, period," his chief spokesman, Mark Corallo, said in an e-mail to the Los Angeles Times. A bit later, Thompson himself tried the old disparagement dodge: "I'd just say the flies get bigger in the summertime. I guess the flies are buzzing.' " Arthur Branch would see through this folksy piece of evasion and note not only that Thompson now denies nothing but also that flies buzz around BS.

Comments (3) «

If he will say anything anybody wants him to say for money he's a lobbyist and a shill...just one step below a prostitute who at least gets down and dirty with his/her clients and doesn't deny what they are.

Thompson is a dream candidate for Democrats just like Newt. I hope they run together as a team.

1

SandyH on July 24, 2007 at 02:55 PM

Actors don't make good Presidents. They are admired because they play a part and someone else has to tell them what to do next.

2

freeforall on July 24, 2007 at 04:33 PM

Freddy Boy Thompson is a cheeseball second rate actor.
Freddy spent over 10 years as a bloodsucking lobbyist.
Freddy was one of the laziest Senators in history. Showing
up was hard work for Freddy cheeseball.

3

rjsnj on July 24, 2007 at 09:38 PM

« Hide Comments

Comments are now closed for this entry.