Thompson Defends '100 Percent Pro-Life' Record
Presidential candidate Fred Thompson reaffirmed his "100 percent pro-life" on Monday – a day after expressing his disapproval of a federal ban on abortion.
During an interview Sunday with "Meet the Press," Thompson said he would not endorse a constitutional amendment to ban all abortions and said such abortion laws should be decided by states.
"[T]o have a constitutional amendment to do that (ban all abortions), I do not think would be the way to go," the former Tennessee senator told the show's host.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"You can't have a law that … potentially would take young girls in extreme situations and say, basically, we're going to put them in jail to do that. I just don't think that that's the right thing to do.
"It cannot change the way I feel about it morally, but legally and practically, I've got to recognize that fact," he added. "It is a dilemma that I'm not totally comfortable with, but that's the best I can do in resolving it in my own mind."
Following his comments, Thompson was criticized for allegedly holding a weak position on conservative issues.
"Senator Thompson's comments on 'Meet the Press' were disappointing and disheartening for those who were expecting him to be a solid voice for conservatives," said fellow Republican candidate Mike Huckabee in a statement Monday.
"The marriage and life amendments are critical issues for those of us who have been on the front lines of these cultural battles," added the former Arkansas governor. "Sen. Thompson's philosophy seems to be more 'cut and run' when it comes to these issues, rather than stand and lead."
On Monday, in New Hampshire, Thompson defended his pro-life record and said he will always support efforts to stop abortion.
"My record is clear. One hundred percent pro-life voting record over eight years at the national level. The proof is in the pudding there," Thompson told FOX News.
"Go back and look at all that record. My whole career I have said Roe versus Wade was wrongfully decided. I've been pro-life all my career and always will be," he added.
According to FOX News, Thompson also contrasted his consistent pro-life views with that of other Republican candidates like former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney who have changed their positions on abortion since entering the presidential race.
"The difference with me and most of the rest of them is that's where I was yesterday, that's where I am today and that's where I will be tomorrow," he said.
Thompson also responded to comments made by Huckabee, saying that former Arkansas governor was criticizing him on abortion to take the attention off his away from his own record on other political issues.
"Governor Huckabee talks about this, I suppose, because it is the only conservative position he has got," Thompson told FOX News.
In his statement, Huckabee had pledged to continue support "the passage of a constitutional amendment to protect the right to life," as he always had, if elected.
"My position on the sanctity of life has always been clear and consistent. No candidate has a stronger record on the sanctity of life than I do," said Huckabee.
"As Governor of Arkansas, I successfully led efforts to promote a human life amendment and marriage amendment in my state. For me, it isn't just talk; it's a conservative record of leadership and conviction."
Huckabee, named by Time Magazine as one of the five best governors in America in 2005, won the majority (51.26 percent) of onsite votes in a straw poll at the conservative Values Voter Summit last month in Washington. Thompson came in third with 8.09 percent of the onsite votes, behind Romney's 10.40 percent.
