2008 SelectSmart.com Presidential Candidate Selector Candidate Positions Former Sen. Fred Thompson - Republican (Born August 19, 1942) Lawyer, lobbyist, character actor)

Iraq War Issues: Voted YES on authorizing use of military force against Iraq. (Oct 2002) Source Supports President Bush's decision to increase troops in Iraq. "Wars are full of mistakes. You rectify things. I think we're doing that now," he said. "Why would we not take any chance, even though there's certainly no guarantees, to not be run out of that place? I mean, we've got to take that opportunity and give it a chance to work." Source

Waterboarding and torture: Would not exclude waterboarding as an interrogation method of suspected terrorists. Source

Security/liberties: Would pardon former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby's conviction for perjury and obstruction of justice now, rather than waiting until all his appeals are exhausted. Thompson is a fundraiser for Libby's defense. Source

Social Security: Voted YES on Social Security Lockbox & limiting national debt. (Apr 1999) Voted YES on allowing Roth IRAs for retirees. (May 1998) Voted YES on allowing personal retirement accounts. (Apr 1998) Source

Stem cell research:

Same sex issues: Opposes gay marriage, but would let states decide whether to allow civil unions. "Marriage is between a man and a woman, and I don't believe judges ought to come along and change that." Source

Trade issues: Voted YES on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002) Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001) Voted NO on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001) Source

Budget issues: Voted YES on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts. (Apr 2000) Voted NO on 1998 GOP budget. (May 1997) Voted YES on Balanced-budget constitutional amendment. (Mar 1997) Source "Reagan showed what can be done if you have the will to push for tough choices and the ability to ask the people to accept them." … "Lower marginal tax rates have proven to be a key to prosperity now by Kennedy, Reagan and Bush. It’s time millionaires serving in the Senate learned not to overly tax other people trying to get wealthy." Source

Business & labor issues:

Abortion issues: Is "pro-life," and believes federal judges should overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision as "bad law and bad medical science." Source

Capital punishment: Voted YES on limiting death penalty appeals. (Apr 1996) Source

Marijuana: Voted YES on increasing penalties for drug offenses. (Nov 1999) Source

Gun control: Opposes gun control, and praised last week's 2-1 federal appeals decision overturning a long-standing handgun ban. "The court basically said the Constitution means what it says, and I agree with that." Source

Minimum wage: Voted YES on killing an increase in the minimum wage. (Nov 1999) Source

Health care:

Prescription drugs: Voted NO on allowing reimportation of Rx drugs from Canada. (Jul 2002) Voted YES on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001) Voted NO on including prescription drugs under Medicare. (Jun 2000) Source

Environmental issues: Voted YES on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. (Jan 2001) Voted YES on more funding for forest roads and fish habitat. (Sep 1999) Source

Immigration issues: Voted YES on allowing more foreign workers into the US for farm work. (Jul 1998) Voted YES on visas for skilled workers. (May 1998) Source
Mostly opposes amnesty/permanent legalization for illegal aliens and temporary legalization for illegal aiens as guestworkers Source

Education issues: Voted YES on school vouchers in DC. (Sep 1997) Source

Link to voting records and special interest group ratings. (If available).