FRED THOMPSON: FIRST LOBBYIST FOR PRESIDENT

[Don Buckbee]

FRED THOMPSON: FIRST LOBBYIST FOR PRESIDENT

By DICK MORRIS & EILEEN MCGANN

Published on FoxNews.com on September 10, 2007.

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There’s a new first in the 2008 presidential campaign.

We’ve already se en the first woman candidate, Hillary Clinton and the first African American with widespread support and a serious chance at winning the presidency.

But now there’s another groundbreaker: the first lobbyist candidate — Fred Thompson.

Thompson was a lobbyist for 20 years before he was elected to the Senate, representing the Tennessee Savings and Loan Association, the deposed Haitian President Aristed and the National Planning & Reproductive Health Association.

Although Fred bills himself as strongly against government interference and handouts, he also lobbied for Westinghouse in its bid for government subsidies for a nuclear power plant in Oak Ridge. After retiring from the Senate in 2002, Thompson went back to lobbying, earning $750,000 since then from Equitas, the British insurance company that wants to limit payments to the families of those who died due to asbestos exposure.

Now Fred’s campaign is attracting other lobbyists, who are bundlers and donors to the Thompson campaign.

Most Americans feel strongly that a presidential candidate should not accept any money from lobbyists. According to a recent Gallup Poll, 75 percent of Americans find it unacceptable for candidates to finance their campaigns with contributions from lobbyists — and 80 percent want candidates to return any contributions they do receive from lobbyists

But Fred definitely doesn’t agree with them. His promising campaign is positively overflowing with advisers and donors who are lobbyists, former lobbyists or employees of lobbying firms. Aside from Thompson, there’s his wife, Jeri, who worked for the PR/lobbying giant Burson-Marsteller and law firm/lobbyists DLA Piper after she met Fred. Then there’s Ken Reitz, a senior campaign adviser, who works for 360Advantage — owned by two lobbying firms Burson-Marsteller and Quinn Gillespie & Associates. Reitz is the former CEO of Burson and became famous for creating the National Smokers Alliance — a faux grassroots group opposing tobacco regulation that was funded by the tobacco companies.

Fred’s first campaign manager, Tom Collamore, was a former tobacco lobbyist. He is one of the many Thompson staffers who was shown the door after disagreeing with Mrs. Thompson. Fred’s chief counselor is Michael Toner, an adviser to Bryan Cave Strategies, which represents Shell Oil and other corporations. Then there’s Tom Daffron, COO of the Jefferson Consulting Group that lobbies on homeland security issues. Ed Gillespie, co-founder of the Quinn Gillespie & Associates lobbying firm is also a close adviser.

Then there are the bundlers and donors. Public Citizen identified six Thompson bundlers as registered lobbyists, but the number associated with lobbyists significantly increases when the names of employees of lobbying firm, who are not necessarily registered lobbyists, are added:

Bundler/Lobbyists (amounts collected are not available)

• Richard F.Hohlt, a lobbyist for tobacco, nuclear energy, Chevron, and Fannie Mae
• Rachael Jones Hensler, lobbyist for the Nickles Group
• William Hilleary, lobbyist, Sommerstein, Nasy & Rosenthal
• Robert L. Livingston, lobbyist, The Livingston Group
• W. Timothy Loche, lobbyist, Smith-Free Group
• David Lugar, lobbyist, Quinn Gillespie
• Mach F. Mattingly, lobbyist
• Tom Collamore
• Michael Toner

Registered Lobbyist Contributors:

• Katie Huffard
• Chris Lamond
• Jeffrey Bloemaker
• Patrick O’Donnell
• William Timmons
• William Hilleary

Sources: Washington Magazine, Center for Responsive Politics

Other:

• Johanna Hardy, Dir., Legislative Affairs, Rolls Royce
• Kirk Clinkenbeard, Potomic Advocates
• John Dowd, partner Akin, Gump which has lobbying practice
• Sarah Newman, employee, Cassidy and Associates

Sources: Washington Magazine, Center for Responsive Politics

So the "Fred Thompson for President" campaign — based on his promises to shake up Washington — is being run by and paid for by corpor ate insider lobbyists.

Do you think Fred will make any big changes if he’s elected?

Thompson in 2008?

[Huck Finn]

QUOTE "Thompson was a lobbyist for 20 years before he was elected to the Senate, representing the Tennessee Savings and Loan Association, the deposed Haitian President Aristed and the National Planning & Reproductive Health Association".


The National Planning & Reproductive Health Association is a very Pro-Abortion group! Just thought you ought to know.

[Bruce FLinch]

Isn't Lobbyist a fancy name for Salesman?

All the Candidates are trying to sell themselves.

[berto64]

And wasn't all this years ago? Boy them liberals dig deep for dirt don't they?

I don't believe any of us are the same person today that we were 20 years ago. As we mature we tend to become wiser. At least I did, but I don't know about them democrats.

[Shooter45]

While Fred is the best the Republicans have running at the moment, keep in mind that he is an actor. He gets paid to pretend he is someone he is not.

I'm not bashing Fred but keep a close eye on him and all other politicians.

I listened to an interview with him this past week and agree with almost everything he said. He will most likely get my vote but I'll still keep a close eye on him.

I'm voting against everyone in office this election as I'm tired of liars and crooks. It may be harder to learn the fine art of lying and stealing when they only serve one term.

[Huck Finn]

Originally Posted by berto64

And wasn't all this years ago? Boy them liberals dig deep for dirt don't they?

I don't believe any of us are the same person today that we were 20 years ago. As we mature we tend to become wiser. At least I did, but I don't know about them democrats.

Yer right! Not like them swift boat vets are we? I guess it doesn't bother you that a guy will lobby for a pro abortion group (if the price is right) even ithough he claims to be anti-abortion. I wonder how much it would cost the "Brady Bunch" to get him to change his opinion on the RKBA?

[glocknut]

Being a lobbiest is not an evil thing. WE have our lobbiests in washington tyring to fight for our gun rights....remember that!!!!

mike
gn

[ramblinrose56]

Just another reason to vote for Ron Paul, along with this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inyCkCvqRO0

Ron Paul has delivered over 4,000 babies. I'd call that pro-life!!

[glocknut]

Originally Posted by ramblinrose56

Just another reason to vote for Ron Paul, along with this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inyCkCvqRO0

Ron Paul has delivered over 4,000 babies. I'd call that pro-life!!

The republicans verson of paul tsongas.... NO THANKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mike
gn

[ramblinrose56]

How can you vote against anyone that promises to get rid of the IRS and Federal Reserve??? Who doesn't want a bigger paycheck? Actually, Ron Paul doesn't. He's never voted to raise his pay. Glock, you didn't even have time to watch the video.

[Bruce FLinch]

I don't know much abour Ron Paul, but the video is damning against Bush & the Iraqi War.

[ramblinrose56]

Originally Posted by Bruce FLinch

I don't know much abour Ron Paul, but the video is damning against Bush & the Iraqi War.

Please look him up. From his website:

Brief Overview of Congressman Paul’s Record:

He has never voted to raise taxes.
He has never voted for an unbalanced budget.
He has never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership.
He has never voted to raise congressional pay.
He has never taken a government-paid junket.
He has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch.

He voted against the Patriot Act.
He voted against regulating the Internet.
He voted against the Iraq war.

He does not participate in the lucrative congressional pension program.
He returns a portion of his annual congressional office budget to the U.S. treasury every year.

Congressman Paul introduces numerous pieces of substantive legislation each year, probably more than any single member of Congress.

http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/

[rosierita]

Originally Posted by Shooter45

While Fred is the best the Republicans have running at the moment, keep in mind that he is an actor. He gets paid to pretend he is someone he is not.

I'm not bashing Fred but keep a close eye on him and all other politicians.

I listened to an interview with him this past week and agree with almost everything he said. He will most likely get my vote but I'll still keep a close eye on him.

I'm voting against everyone in office this election as I'm tired of liars and crooks. It may be harder to learn the fine art of lying and stealing when they only serve one term.

so far, i plan on voting for fred too.

[tgman227]

I agree, right now my vote go's to Fred

[White Hawk]

Originally Posted by ramblinrose56

How can you vote against anyone that promises to get rid of the IRS and Federal Reserve???

...and the CIA, and the FBI, and the NSA, and the Secret Service (well, except maybe for his security detail)...

Originally Posted by glocknut

The republicans verson of paul tsongas....

Worse. He's the republican's Dennis Kucinich.

[Appliancedude]

Originally Posted by ramblinrose56

Please look him up. From his website:



He voted against the Patriot Act.
He voted against regulating the Internet.
He voted against the Iraq war.



http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/

He's lost my vote.

[berto64]

Shooter45,

If you will think back a few years, you may remember another Actor who was pretty good at that president Role for about 8 years. Ronald Reagan.

It's not about what they have done, it's about what the DO when they get the job.

And it's about Faith.

[strayshot]

He was involved in politics and political law long before he was an actor (first acting role 1985)

Political Experience:
Senator, United States Senate, 1994-2002
Elected to Senate in a Special Election, November 8, 1994
Appellate Court Nominating Committee, TN, 1985-1987
Special Counsel to the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, 1982
Special Counsel to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, 1980-1981
Special Counsel to Tennessee Governor Lamar Alexander, 1980
Chief Republican Counsel (Minority Counsel),US Senate Watergate Committee, 1973-1974
Assistant US Attorney, Middle Tennessee, 1969-1972
Campaign Manager, Howard Baker
Staff Attorney to Senator Howard Baker.

[glocknut]

Originally Posted by White Hawk

Worse. He's the republican's Dennis Kucinich.

Dang!.... i wish i'd thought of that one!!!!!
You're right, he is alot like Kucinich. Kucinich even wants
us to pay war repirations to the Iraqis. In fact he'd probably
send the payments to Iraqs future management team in....IRAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!

mike
gn

[22WRF]

Fred is not the gun owners friend

Take a look at his Senate voting record on gun rights

http://conservativesagainstfred.word...senate-record/

[glocknut]

Originally Posted by 22WRF

Fred is not the gun owners friend

Take a look at his Senate voting record on gun rights

http://conservativesagainstfred.word...senate-record/

ooops....

mike
gn

[RMT]

I like Fred. He is genuine, he has a proven track record, but at the same time he is not a career politician.

[Marlin T]

22, thanks for the link.

I'm going to cheat and do the copy and paste from somebody elses post.

I have not verified this nor any of the other 'negatives' about Fred, but always trust then verify!

bubba Says:
September 14th, 2007 at 4:18 am
3. Taggants in gunpowder
On September 12, 1996, the Senate voted (57-42) to keep an anti-gun amendment off of the Treasury-Postal appropriations bill (H.R. 3756). The Kerry amendment — which Thompson voted for– would have made funds available for a study of tagging explosive materials, including black and smokeless powders (thus setting the stage for registering ammunition). The amendment also sought to further demonize firearms by selectively examining the misuse of firearms by criminals. The study would not examine the number of times firearms are used to save the lives of decent citizens.
——
Heres the link to the actuall vote.. 9/12/1996, 57-42,
U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 104th Congress - 2nd Session
as compiled through Senate LIS by the Senate Bill Clerk under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate
Vote Summary
Question: On the Motion to Table (motion to table kerry amendment no. 5279 )
Vote Number: 287 Vote Date: September 12, 1996, 02:19 PM
Required For Majority: 1/2 Vote Result: Motion to Table Agreed to
Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 5279 to H.R. 3756
Statement of Purpose: To make funds available for a study of tagging explosive materials, and for other purposes.
Vote Counts: YEAs 57
NAYs 42
Not Voting 1
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=104&session=2&vote=00287
Its an ON THE MOTION TO TABLE the ammendment..
C-SPAN Congressional Glossary
A MOTION TO TABLE
A MOTION TO TABLE, if adopted, permanently kills the pending matter. It also ends any further debate.
Fred voted to kill the ammendment not in favor of it!
I know, what about the other 12? Yeah well I already wasted enough of my life determining that #3 is a lie and really have no desire to waste any more of my life searching through more 10+ year old records when the very first one I researched turned out to be such a blatant lie!

[lohki13]

Originally Posted by ramblinrose56

Please look him up. From his website:

Brief Overview of Congressman Paul’s Record:

He has never voted to raise taxes.
He has never voted for an unbalanced budget.
He has never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership.
He has never voted to raise congressional pay.
He has never taken a government-paid junket.
He has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch.

He voted against the Patriot Act.
He voted against regulating the Internet.
He voted against the Iraq war.

He does not participate in the lucrative congressional pension program.
He returns a portion of his annual congressional office budget to the U.S. treasury every year.

Congressman Paul introduces numerous pieces of substantive legislation each year, probably more than any single member of Congress.

http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/

Sounds good to me (except the iraq part). He will get my vote. He sounds pretty libertarian and could be a good change from our norm government wise.But if not him Giuliani gets my vote.

[Marlin T]

By the way, Ron Paul has not a clue that a radical fraction of one of the world’s largest religions has declared a war on us.
So with that kind of isolationism mentality, I’m sure he would be alright with seeing Israel getting blow off the map, literally. You have to remember that Israel is only the “Small Satin” and the USA is the “Great Satin”. They ARE coming after us, let there be no doubt in your mind about this fact!