The reasons behind the NRLC nod

Posted: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 10:56 AM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Kelly O'Donnell
The National Right to Life Committee announced its endorsement of Thompson this morning in Washington. Officials said the vote among its state organizations held this past Sunday "was overwhelming" in support of Thompson.

The NRLC cited three factors in its decision: record, stand on the issues, and electability. The group said it reviewed Thompson's Senate voting record and found 21 "pro-life votes."

In addition, Officials noted they believe Thompson is more electable than Huckabee, who they acknowledge has a "strong pro-life record." Officials said they considered standing in the polls and were persuaded by Thompson's frequent second-place showing, as well as the fact that he's "positioned well to win South Carolina."

The NRLC said it was moved by "necessity" to see that a "pro-life" candidate is the GOP nominee.

Officials said the issue of Thompson's past support for McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform was less of a factor, arguing that "it cannot be compared to abortion." The NRLC also cited Thompson's current view that the campaign finance legislation did not work.

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Comments

Another plus for Thompson: A new poll suggests that he would be the only Republican able to carry Tennessee without breaking a sweat, as Rudy Giuliani is locked in a toss-up with Hillary Clinton. Link: http://www.campaigndiaries.com/2007/11/three-states-that-were-not-close-at-all.html

Daniel, NY (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:04 AM)

I give them this, unlike Pat Robertson they weren't willing to sell out their ideals just to get a winner.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:06 AM)

Oh how I hope he get the republican nomination he will get creamed in the general

Ed, Syracuse (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:55 AM)

Huckabee is strong! So he doesn't have the money like the other guys. That's all this government is about...money! People want change, then we need to get someone in there with a backbone and character enough to do it! I'm for Huckabee!

Kyle F. , Centerville, OH (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:04 PM)

NRLC must have missed Fred's recent numbers in New Hampshire. Oh well, it's not as bad as if they endorsed Brownback, but I wonder who they'll endorse after Fred drops out of the race...

Mr. X (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:38 PM)

Yeah, they are all pro life until birth but isn't it the right who opposes child healthcare, innoculations, laws against executing minors, laws against child labor exploitation? isn't it the right who will protect the unborn and then execute them 10 years later? hmmmm?

Rick, WS, NC (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:44 PM)

Thompson is a joke. He has as much chance of becoming President as I do. Besides, "getting the nod" from the religious right is reason enough for me to vote against him.

Ron Jeffers (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:44 PM)

Daniel - With all due respect, winning Tennessee is hardly a surprising plus for Thompson, as it's his home state.

Shadow, Hamden, CT (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 1:25 PM)

And didn't Thompson lobby for Planbned Parenthood at some point? I thought that group was one of the rights big turn offs. I'm voting for Ron Paul this time. I'm tired of all the crap the goverment is spending the money on. I'm tired of policing the world and geting squat in return. We need to seriously fix some of our own problems before trying to fix everyone elses on our dime.

Tim (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 1:29 PM)

Ron Paul is also a huge proponent of the right to life!

The Ron Paul Revolution
http://www.prezronpaul.com

Ernie (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 1:43 PM)

So if you read between the lines, the ONLY reason the NRLC chose Thompson over Huckabee is because, for whatever reason, they think he's more likely to win. Far be it for their committee to do a little digging into both the recent numbers (which show Huckabee holding a solid lead over Thompson) and the records of both candidates (Huckabee's is unwaveringly pro-life, whereas Thompson not only lobbied for Planned Parenthood, but also thinks the issue of abortion is best left to the states, about half of which would undoubtedly legalize all types of abortion... so you're okay with letting that slide, Fred!?) before making an intelligent, unselfish, true-to-the-cause decision on who to back. Way to go, Right To Life, for rendering your organization as weak, funds-coveting, compromising, and obsolete. We know where your priorities lie now - not with the unborn children you say you exist to defend, but with your own self-interest. SHAME ON YOU for supporting the very thing you condemn!!!

Huckabee in 2008! He's the only true conservative left and is the best choice not only for the GOP nomination, but for the Oval Office!!

Karissa Barrows, Hampton, VA (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 2:06 PM)

The social conservatives seem confused, angry, and disoriented.

Some support Giuliani (third marriage), some Romney (Mormon, not that it should matter as long as just one wife), and now NRLC supports Thompson (young wife, Fred clearly losing sleep - and it's not for procreation).

Then there is Huckster Huckabee who says the the "right" words on abortion, but plays rock music (the devil's playground).

If the NRLC was really "pro-life" they would work with Democrats to keep abortion safe, legal, and rare, banning the practice as science's ability to keep babies alive moves further and further back toward conception.

Why does the "right-to-life" end at birth? You hypocrites never answer that question. If your views were consistent, you would be equally as passionate about ending U.S. involvement in what has becomes largely an Iraq civil war?

You all deserve each other, just leave the rest of us alone!

Gary, Franklin, WI (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 2:37 PM)

NRLC have voted like hypocrites. Right to whose life? Fred Thompson endorses the Iraqi war where more soldiers and Iraqi men, woman and children will be killed... hey there "christians" thall shalt not kill.....

Ron Paul is the obvious choice, NRLC.... idiots.

Styles (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 2:56 PM)

Gary, watch this clip (featuring someone you more than likely enjoy watching - Jon Stewart): http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=80701&title=gov.-mike-huckabee

That'll address your little "Why does the 'right to life' end at birth" concern. We're not all hypocrites, and we're not all flip-flopping on the important issues. Don't let the few who stand in the limelight represent the rest of us. We're not exactly happy about this either.

And, being a military member, I would know about this - if we pull out of Iraq now, it would be a disaster for everybody. Not even Hillary will pull out of Iraq for a while, no matter what she says. There is not one person on or off the ballot that would be able to pull us out of Iraq any time soon because, deep down, they know the consequences would be grave.

Either way, check out the video before you prematurely run your mouth about conservatives again.

Karissa Barrows, Hampton, VA (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 3:54 PM)

To: Karissa Barrows, Hampton, VA

Lighten up!

First, I saw the Jon Stewart interview with Huckabee when first aired.

Second, my comments about Saint Huckabee should not be taken too seriously, just as I take with a grain of salt your "before you prematurely run your mouth about conservatives again" admonishment. A little touchy today aren't we Karrisa?

Where will the social conservatives go next should they ever win the abortion battle? The evils of rock music, women outside the home, the "need" for prayer in the schools?

Finally, to end one a positive note, we actually seem to agree on the complexity of extracting U.S. forces from Iraq. It is not simple, nor can it be done easily. My point was NRLC would be more credible were it to be as concerned about Darfur or Sunni/Shia conflict in it's support for "right-to-life" for the unborn.

Gary, Franklin, WI (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 4:59 PM)

Fred is polling 5th in Iowa right now, and 5th in New Hampshire. He'll be out of the race before he gets to the southern states. Horrible move by the NRLC. They've lost major support from their grassroots efforts already today.

Mike Huckabee's online support has swelled big time because of this bogus endorsement of Fred. I hope it blows up in the faces of the NRLC.

Dave, St. Louis, MO (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 5:27 PM)

This is one big mistake and I just don't get it. Thompson trails Huckabee in Iowa. He's not coming out of there with a splash. He's hardly campaigned there. In fact, he's hardly campaigned anywhere!

Thompson wants to leave decisions about abortion to the states. While that sounds like good old fashioned federalism, it isn't quite so effective when you are deciding whether a child is killed or not.

National Right to Life won't get one more penny from me. The well is now dry and Value Voters are scratching their heads asking why.

Bob R. Los Angeles, CA (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 5:39 PM)

Mike Huckabee is the true pro-life conservative in this race. He received 51% of the on-site voting at the Values Voter Summit in DC. None of the other candidates received more than 10%!

It's sad to see many leaders and organizations backing guys like Thompson who are all talk and no action. I think they're in for a big surprise come January when the votes start getting counted.

Pedro, Miami, FL (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 8:08 PM)

Good going Chris Matthews. These conservative anti-abortion fanatics need to be made to answer the hard questions:
Why not prosecute women for murder if they have an abortion? Why is there "exception" wording--if abortion is murder, it's murder, regardless of whether the woman was raped or not. These people need to be forced to answer for their position on a procedure that can only be made more dangerous by the legislation they want enacted.

Gay Brown, Allison Park, PA (Sent Tuesday, November 13, 2007 8:10 PM)

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