Republican and Conservative political analysis and commentary

I've been reading as much blog and media coverage of former Sen. Fred Thompson and his possible presidential candidacy as I can and, so far, I've spotted three of what you might consider big "issue" problems facing him if he decides to run.

Possibly four.

The first is Thompson's vote for the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform law widely seen by conservatives (and even some liberals) as detrimental to free speech if not wholly unconstitutional.

Thompson is going to have to find a way to finesse this issue - he can't go back and take back his vote and he shouldn't apologize for his view that the campaign finance needed reformed, but he can come out and express support for reviewing McCain-Feingold's effect on free speech and for enacting reforms where dictated by respect for the First Amendment and the people's right to speak.

A hallmark of McCain-Feingold is the provision that bans the broadcasting of independently produced ads criticizing members of Congress in the last 60 days before an election. It is a patent offense to the basic foundational concepts of the United States of America, the right of the people to speak out about and criticize their government, and to seek change through the ballot box. Surely Sen. Thompson could come out now for repealing that provision without flip-flopping on his support for sensible campaign finance regulations.

The second "issue" problem facing Thompson involves medical malpractice reform. I'll let the Illini Pundit tell you about that one:

Anyone wondering why I'm not excited about the idea of a Fred Thompson Presidential candidacy?

In 1995, the GOP-led House passed a tough medical liability bill that included tort reform as part of the Contract With America. Things were all ready to go in the Senate under Majority Leader Bob Dole, when freshman - and former trial lawyer - Thompson introduced his own medical liability reform bill, sans tort reform. The bill passed and in conference committee the House's tort reform package got completely extirpated. Conservatives were outraged and many blamed Thompson.

Plus, like Sen. McCain, Thompson is a supporter of campaign finance "reform" / free speech restrictions.

Meh. 

I'm sticking with Rudy, warts and all, for now.

The third "issue" problem facing Thompson may be his stance on illegal immigration, which may or may not mirror McCain's, says Blake Dvorak at Real Clear Politics. If Thompson's views do mirror McCain's, that will hurt his chances.

The fourth "issue" problem facing Thompson may actually not be a problem at all - his unabashed support for winning the war in Iraq. The anti-war media, which is salivating at the prospect of lionizing anti-war Republican senator Chuck Hagel if he runs for the GOP nomination, will attempt to drag Thompson down for his support for winning the war, and his defense of the Iraq invasion.

But that may actually help Thompson show voters his expertise and deep thinking on the related issues of national security, terrorism, nuclear weapons proliferation and rogue anti-American regimes. Some voters (a few Republicans, many more Democrats) may well disagree with where Thompson comes down on the war and national security, but they won't doubt that he is a serious man who has given the issue serious thought.