The "Fred Thompson Was a Pro-Choice Lobbyist!" story fizzles to a dispiriting end (for Democrats) as his billing records back up Thompson's version of the story. Ed Morrissey at Captain's Quarters has the details.
We can expect the billing records to make a big splash in the blogosphere. However, a few points should be noted. Fred Thompson made it clear that he never represented this group as a lobbyist, and that he never lobbied John Sununu on their behalf. Sununu verified Thompson's denial. Thompson never denied nor confirmed that he provided some consultation on their behalf through Arent Fox, saying that he could not recall either way.
If the source has the details correct, it would appear to support Thompson's statements. A lobbyist who only bills 19 hours in 14 months would be a highly unsuccessful lobbyist, and the client idiotic. The billing would be consistent with internal consultations at Arent between Thompson and whomever represented the NFPRHA's lobbying interests, perhaps in the nature of gaining Thompson's perspective on various members of the Bush administration, although there also could have been direct consultation with the NFPRHA.
Pfft. That's the sound of the air going out of this left/media/democratic attack on Thompson.
Remember, Thompson's record in the U.S. Senate on the abortion issue was 100 percent pro-life. And those who are trying to portray him as pro-baby killing are in fact pro-baby killing themselves and don't want the GOP to select a pro-life presidential nominee.
As one commenter at CQ reminds us, "the same drive-by media that is attempting to paint Fred Thomspon durring this primary season as somewhat sympathetic to abortion, will attack him for his opposition to 'a woman's right to choose' during the general election.
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There were (according to the NY Times) 3.3 hours billed to actual lobbying efforts. Once again, it does not change the point. But the MSM will use this to say that he DID lobby for them.
Posted by: Joel | July 19, 2007 9:08 AM | Permalink to Comment