Fred Thompson announced his candidacy for president today. He does not deserve your support.

 

 

First, Thompson downplays the role of people in causing climate change. This might play well among oil company executives, but Americans recognize the seriousness of climate change, support some sort of governmental response to global warming, and realize that it is caused by human activity.

 

 

Although claiming, predictably, to be a different kind of candidate “running a different kind of campaign,” Thompson repeats the same old Republican line about gay marriage: “Marriage is between a man and a woman, and I don’t believe judges ought to come along and change that.” Thompson is wrong: judges who rule that state constitutions cannot bar marriage between gay couples are merely upholding the law. His opinion strongly resembles that expressed in the 2004 Republican Party Platform: “We further believe that legal recognition and the accompanying benefits afforded couples should be preserved for that unique and special union of one man and one woman which has historically been called marriage.” 

 

 

The candidate gives greater weight to gun owners’ Second Amendment rights than to the safety of the public. This trend is popular with the Republican base, but is wrongheaded. Republicans of this ilk should balance the right to own a Glock against the right of children to walk to school in safety.

 

 

He accuses Giuliani of leaning too far to the left. This should speak for itself.

 

 

Thompson, lockstep with the loud, alarmist wing of the conservative movement, focuses on securing the borders rather than providing a workable solution to our country’s immigration problems.

 

 

His warnings about Iraq resemble the Domino Theory espoused by supporters of the Vietnam War. He is just as alarmist in his rhetoric as the president.

 

 

Most worryingly, however, are his bizarre and atavistic views on what used to be called state’s rights. “Strong states and limited federal government” receives his strenuous support. Few would argue against a limited federal government, but what Thompson has in mind smacks of the arguments advanced by segregationists. It is a common, knee-jerk reaction of those opposed to progressive social change. The fact that Thompson’s Principles page of his website is devoted to his conception of federalism shows that he sees everything through the lens of this sine qua non.

 

 

Even so Thompson has gotten a few things right, a very few things, and other candidates should take note. He supports free trade. This is sensible. He opposes abortion. This is humane. But these two bright spots are not enough.

 

 

To support Thompson is to support the failed policies of the Bush administration and the Republican party. A Thompson presidency would lead to insecurity, disunity, and torpor, the precise opposite of what candidate Thompson promises.