Thompson Says He's No Churchgoer

[AlonzoMourning23]

Sept. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Republican presidential contender Fred Thompson, who has based his campaign on appealing to conservative voters, said he isn't a regular churchgoer and doesn't plan to speak about his religion on the stump.

Thompson, in his first campaign stop in South Carolina, told a crowd of about 500 Republicans yesterday that he gained his values from ``sitting around the kitchen table'' with his parents and ``the good Church of Christ.''

Talking to reporters later, Thompson, a former Tennessee senator, said his church attendance ``varies.''

``I attend church when I'm in Tennessee. I'm in McLean right now,'' he said referring to the Virginia suburb of Washington, D.C., where he lives. ``I don't attend regularly when I'm up there.''

Thompson said he usually attends church when visiting his mother in Tennessee and isn't a member of any church in the Washington area.

Thompson's remarks may not play well with religious voters who represent a sizable segment of the Republican Party and whose support he has been courting, portraying himself as a ``common sense conservative.'' President George W. Bush received 78 percent of the evangelical Christian vote in 2004 while Democrat John Kerry got 21 percent of that vote, according to the Pew Research Center.

Talking About God

Thompson's comment about not speaking out about his personal religious beliefs prompted a question from the crowd on whether he would commit to talking about God nationwide, not just in a southern state such as South Carolina, where many people identify themselves as evangelical Christians.

``I know that I'm right with God and the people I love,'' he said in Greenville. It's ``just the way I am not to talk about some of these things.''

Thompson's churchgoing habits weren't a problem for at least one onlooker.

``As long as he was acclimated in some kind of church, involved in the church, that's very important,'' said Jamie Darnell, 27, of Greenville.

Asked by reporters later to clarify his stance on religion, Thompson said: ``Me getting up and talking about what a wonderful person I am and that sort of thing, I'm not comfortable with that, and I don't think it does me any good. People will make up their own mind about that, and that's the way I like it.''

http://news.yahoo.com/s/bloomberg/20070911/pl_bloomberg/a23dx3a8oufe;_ylt=AhXqM0MFIAyTkl69deZbCuiog9IF

It's nice to see Republicans voting for someone who doesn't think spending an hour or two in God's house every week is worth it.

[Buck Laser]

I saw a picture of Ol' Fred with his wife for the first time today:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b260/mgroves/thompson1.jpg
I can't speak the thoughts that come into my mind when I see this bimbo.

[Elrathin]

Guys let's not jump to conclusions. I mean there are plenty of women that like shriveled up penises hehe.

[Stoner]

It's nice to see Republicans voting for someone who doesn't think spending an hour or two in God's house every week is worth it.


It's irrelevant. Going to church has nothing to do with running and leading a country.

[AlonzoMourning23]

I don't know stoner. The right has built an empire on the importance of religion in your daily life. Have Republicans been lying to me? Or are they wrong?

[ViolaLee]

I saw a picture of Ol' Fred with his wife for the first time today:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b260/mgroves/thompson1.jpg
I can't speak the thoughts that come into my mind when I see this bimbo.
She looks like she should be his daughter.

Makes him look like a pedaphile.

[Buck Laser]

I saw a picture of Ol' Fred with his wife for the first time today:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b260/mgroves/thompson1.jpg
I can't speak the thoughts that come into my mind when I see this bimbo.
She looks like she should be his daughter.

Makes him look like a pedaphile.

I wouldn't let my daughter go out in a dress like that. And she's 40.

[ViolaLee]

Fred's wife is 4 years younger than his own daughter.
You'd have to marry a 36 year old woman to equal Fred Thompson's wife/daughter scenerio.

[Stoner]

Have Republicans been lying to me?

Lie to you about what? And please include proof/evidence to back up whatever it is you come up with.

I love to see the libs go after his wife. You know why? The answer is a two-parter. First it means he is a danger to them. He poses a real threat to the libs so they attack him. Notice you don't see a whole lot of bashing of Republicans who don't have a shot. And the other reason I am happy to see the libbies go after his wife is they're attacking her age! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That's it?

If that's all the libbies have then it's going to be smoothe sailing next election. Go Fred!

And his wife is hot. He's a lucky dude.

[ViolaLee]

She is 4 years younger than his daughter. That's a bit much for the party of family values. It's the hypocrisy of the Republican party we go after. Not because he is a threat, not because of her age alone, but because her age goes against the moral family values that the Christian Right preaches about.

You have a candidate that announced his divorce at a press conference, that's the first Mrs. Giuliani, Donna Hanover. She heard about it on TV. He was since married two more times. I'm from NY, I remember.

You have a candidate that is married to a girl who is younger than his own daughter.

You have Senator Vitter who used prostitutes while he was married while preaching family values.

You have Larry Craig who's in a big mess because he wanted to have man sex in a public bathroom, while preaching and voting against gay rights.

You have Ted Haggart who preached against homosexuality and yet used homosexual prostitutes.

There's so much hypocrisy we can barely keep up.

[Drocket]

It's nice to see Republicans voting for someone who doesn't think spending an hour or two in God's house every week is worth it.

They've been doing that for decades. Bush basically only attends church on Christmas and Easter, and Reagan couldn't even manage that most of the time. Meanwhile, Clinton and Carter, both of whom attended church virtually every week their entire lives, even while in office, were and are absolutely despised by the "religious" right.

So, take Thompson's inability to make even a token effort at actually following through on his religion, combine it with his reputation for laziness and the fact that he can't even describe his own policies when asked, and you quickly realize he's basically the perfect Republican candidate. A regular Reagan 3.0.

[bobbylien]

It's irrelevant. Going to church has nothing to do with running and leading a country.

Absolutely agreed but we both know that the ability to run this country isn't why this is an issue.. except maybe to the religious right.

[heyjude]

Guys let's not jump to conclusions. I mean there are plenty of women that like shriveled up penises hehe.


Only if it is found on a man with lots of money and or power. I am a woman, and what I find offensive is that it is an insult to all women when a man his age marries someone her age. It tell us that men ( at least some of them), think women have only one use in this world. Oh, and it tell us he is married to a whore who will opt for a shriveled up penis if it attached to money or power.

[ViolaLee]

I just wonder if the evangelicals will give him their vote.

Oh who am I kidding, they gave the idiot, war mongering, oil greedy, moron their vote....

I keep thinking the evangelicals will follow the teachings of jesus.

Silly me.

[heyjude]

I just wonder if the evangelicals will give him their vote.

Oh who am I kidding, they gave the idiot, war mongering, oil greedy, moron their vote....

I keep thinking the evangelicals will follow the teachings of jesus.

Silly me.


:) Its ok. We all have those lapses.

[TheStripey1]

I saw a picture of Ol' Fred with his wife for the first time today:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b260/mgroves/thompson1.jpg
I can't speak the thoughts that come into my mind when I see this bimbo.


wellllll, with a wife like her at home, if elected as president, he wouldn't be hitting on the interns...[hr]

Guys let's not jump to conclusions. I mean there are plenty of women that like shriveled up penises hehe.


Only if it is found on a man with lots of money and or power. I am a woman, and what I find offensive is that it is an insult to all women when a man his age marries someone her age. It tell us that men ( at least some of them), think women have only one use in this world. Oh, and it tell us he is married to a whore who will opt for a shriveled up penis if it attached to money or power.



cmon HJ, you know as well as I why old men go for younger women... it's because women their own age have gone through menopause...

It is strange that someone who doesn't attend church regularly would try to run for president as a republican in this day and age.

[Stoner]

her age goes against the moral family values that the Christian Right preaches about.


I'm a Christian and I've never heard that before. Have a link showing where it states what you said?

My church says that as long as 2 adults are of legal age it's ok to date who you want. Age is irrelevant. Not sure where you're getting your partisan rants from.

[PatrickHenry]

I saw a picture of Ol' Fred with his wife for the first time today:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b260/mgroves/thompson1.jpg
I can't speak the thoughts that come into my mind when I see this bimbo.
Where are her feet? Did Thompson marry a double amputee?

[Buck Laser]

I saw a picture of Ol' Fred with his wife for the first time today:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b260/mgroves/thompson1.jpg
I can't speak the thoughts that come into my mind when I see this bimbo.
Where are her feet? Did Thompson marry a double amputee?

I just figger he married a short lady with big boobs and a stupid expression.

[Bill55AZ]

With a wife who looks like that, he should be able to keep his shriveled up penis in his pants while in the oval office.
OTOH, it appears his shriveled up penis is still running his life, and I don't want someone like that running the country.

[BoogyMan]

She is 4 years younger than his daughter. That's a bit much for the party of family values. It's the hypocrisy of the Republican party we go after. Not because he is a threat, not because of her age alone, but because her age goes against the moral family values that the Christian Right preaches about.

What? How does her being much younger than him go against "moral family values" Viola? I cannot wait to hear how you explain this one.


You have a candidate that announced his divorce at a press conference, that's the first Mrs. Giuliani, Donna Hanover. She heard about it on TV. He was since married two more times. I'm from NY, I remember.

Yep, that is a pretty sorry thing to do. Good thing Giuliani isn't a conservative.


You have a candidate that is married to a girl who is younger than his own daughter.

There is a Canadian comedy called "The Industry" whose theme song is called "I can get behind anything" and it talks about how the characters don't actually care about truth, but can ditch their beliefs and get behind any idea that will benefit their cause. That is EXACTLY where I place this comment.


You have Senator Vitter who used prostitutes while he was married while preaching family values.

Yep, and the dirtbag has been exposed for his actions.


You have Larry Craig who's in a big mess because he wanted to have man sex in a public bathroom, while preaching and voting against gay rights.

Another one expunged, if anything the public reaming the republicans are getting right now is going to force a cleanup of the party.


You have Ted Haggart who preached against homosexuality and yet used homosexual prostitutes.

See previous comment.[hr]

[ttriber]

It's nice to see Republicans voting for someone who doesn't think spending an hour or two in God's house every week is worth it.

They've been doing that for decades. Bush basically only attends church on Christmas and Easter, and Reagan couldn't even manage that most of the time. Meanwhile, Clinton and Carter, both of whom attended church virtually every week their entire lives, even while in office, were and are absolutely despised by the "religious" right.



Where is the proof of all these inaccurate comments? Bush has attended maybe more church then Carter and Clinton combined. The "Religious right" will not vote for Carter or Clinton simply because some of the laws they passed were against what they believed it's as simple as that. So If an atheist politician went to church a dozen more times then the guy hes running against the religious right must vote for the atheist? Mind Boggling stupidity Drocket get your head out of your a**.

What does the marriage between Thompson and his wife have to do with him running for office absolutely nothing. Making a big deal out of age give me a break like you've never seen a 50 years old man with a 25 year old woman? I've seen it at church and other events no big deal they must make a commitment its not like shes giving herself up to this 50 years because of his money. They must have a genuine love for each other. Making a big deal out of age lmao I'm sure their is at least one person in this forum who has a huge age gap difference to their spouse.

[Stoner]

I love the fact that the only dirt they have on Fred is he has a young wife.

[Labrocca]

I love the fact that the only dirt they have on Fred is he has a young wife.


Grasping at straws.

Too much partisan crap in this thread for my taste. :bye:

[Scorpion]

Guys let's not jump to conclusions. I mean there are plenty of women that like shriveled up penises hehe.


Only if it is found on a man with lots of money and or power. I am a woman, and what I find offensive is that it is an insult to all women when a man his age marries someone her age. It tell us that men ( at least some of them), think women have only one use in this world. Oh, and it tell us he is married to a whore who will opt for a shriveled up penis if it attached to money or power.


Well, that's just a load of speculative crap. Justify anything that you've said as being accurate to Fred Thompson and/or his wife. You can't because your just throwing out general, baseless nonsense.[hr]

It's nice to see Republicans voting for someone who doesn't think spending an hour or two in God's house every week is worth it.

They've been doing that for decades. Bush basically only attends church on Christmas and Easter, and Reagan couldn't even manage that most of the time. Meanwhile, Clinton and Carter, both of whom attended church virtually every week their entire lives, even while in office, were and are absolutely despised by the "religious" right.



Where is the proof of all these inaccurate comments? Bush has attended maybe more church then Carter and Clinton combined. The "Religious right" will not vote for Carter or Clinton simply because some of the laws they passed were against what they believed it's as simple as that. So If an atheist politician went to church a dozen more times then the guy hes running against the religious right must vote for the atheist? Mind Boggling stupidity Drocket get your head out of your a**.

What does the marriage between Thompson and his wife have to do with him running for office absolutely nothing. Making a big deal out of age give me a break like you've never seen a 50 years old man with a 25 year old woman? I've seen it at church and other events no big deal they must make a commitment its not like shes giving herself up to this 50 years because of his money. They must have a genuine love for each other. Making a big deal out of age lmao I'm sure their is at least one person in this forum who has a huge age gap difference to their spouse.


Absolutely spot on correct!

[Drocket]

Where is the proof of all these inaccurate comments? Bush has attended maybe more church then Carter and Clinton combined.

Just Google "Bush church attendance" and you'll find more than enough links. Bush doesn't attend church except on holidays. Never has in his entire life. Reagan didn't either. Clinton went virtually every single Sunday of his entire life, and Carter attended multiple sermons per week.

Sorry, you're wrong.

What does the marriage between Thompson and his wife have to do with him running for office absolutely nothing.
Approximately the same as the relationship between the Clintons has to do with Hillary running for office. Which according to most right-wing sources appears to be A LOT.

[Elrathin]

I love the fact that the only dirt they have on Fred is he has a young wife.


That's all they can get, he hasn't done any debates. What does he stand for? Who knows, he's just like the Republican version of Kerry. The only difference is Kerry had the balls to do a debate unlike Thompson so far.

[Scorpion]

Where is the proof of all these inaccurate comments? Bush has attended maybe more church then Carter and Clinton combined.

Just Google "Bush church attendance" and you'll find more than enough links. Bush doesn't attend church except on holidays. Never has in his entire life. Reagan didn't either. Clinton went virtually every single Sunday of his entire life, and Carter attended multiple sermons per week.

Sorry, you're wrong.

What does the marriage between Thompson and his wife have to do with him running for office absolutely nothing.
Approximately the same as the relationship between the Clintons has to do with Hillary running for office. Which according to most right-wing sources appears to be A LOT.


You're answering with a non-answer. Thompson's wife isn't a senator or a former US president. She's a nobody who isn't deserving of the media scrutiny likely in the future of either of the Clinton's.