Keyes Makes (Former Repub. Gov.) Thompson "Uncomfortable"

[liberalpragmatist]

Former Gov. James R. Thompson refused to endorse Republican U.S. Senate nominee Alan Keyes on Wednesday, saying some of Keyes' stands on the issues made him "uncomfortable."

"I'd be inclined to vote Republican," Thompson said. "His views are very conservative. Some of his positions would make me uncomfortable as a voter. I'm willing to give him a chance to tell the people of Illinois what his views are. I have not endorsed him."

In four terms as governor, Thompson supported legalized abortion and the Equal Rights Amendment, making him a hero of the party's moderate wing. Keyes holds strong views against abortion.

"There are no liberal Republicans anymore," Thompson conceded Wednesday.

Thompson criticized the Republican State Central Committee for choosing Keyes instead of home-grown candidates such as Thompson's choice, retired Air Force Maj. Gen. John Borling. Thompson had turned down pleas to jump into the race himself.

"I find it sad that the state central committee of the Republican Party could not find a Republican in Illinois to take this race on because we had a number willing to do so," he said.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/elect/cst-nws-sen12.html

[WI_DEM]

1. Good

Big Jim should just keep speaking out.

[Massacure]

2. Does James Thompson have any relation to Tommy Thompson?

[benburch]

3. Long rumored to be "In The Closet"

I can understand why Jim Thompson would be uncomfortable about Keyes who wants to send all gays to prison camps.

[lil-petunia]

5. Ye olde tub a lard had a whole nice bunch of boys

while he was governor. I don't care. Very few indictments during his terms. And taxes were not too crazy.

A powerful person be he. Why else was he on the 9/11 commission? Cause he is neither caustic nor a blabbermouth, plus he has tons of experience. Actually, he governed more like a dem than a rep, come to think of it.

[barb162]

4. I saw Big Jim on TV yesterday and he was truly uncomfortable

He said only a MODERATE Republican could win this race. (Meaning Keyes is outtahere, in his opinion). So here is a 4 time guv and Edgar a 2 time guv both refusing to endorse Keyes. Edgar just says "no comment." These guys won't openly come out and bash Keyes because it's their party candidate...but anyone can read between the lines these guys can't stand Keyes and what is happening to their party.

[chiburb]

6. Big Jim is looking out for himself...

As Chairman of the Audit Committee of Hollinger Intl., he rubber-stamped the fleecing/fraud perpetrated by Conrad Black and his minions. If there is a g(G)od, we'll see him indicted and frog-marched like Lay and Skilling. Don't forget, this is the same Board that included Perle.
He deserves to go down!

[KharmaTrain]

7. 6 Of One - Half Dozen Of The Other

Watching JRT on the 9/11 commission, I got the impression he was getting hungry for the limelight again. He's been playing corporate gun for 12 years now and he's ready for something new.

I speculated when Ryan first dropped out that Thompson may be the man to slide in and go up against Obama. It was a day or so later that Thompson, through the commission, announced none of the members would be involved in politics this year.

Thus, I think Thompson's looking at the debris of the GOOP...a party he left in control of virtually everything, now totally destroyed. I think we may see his hands more involved in things post November...and thus is keeping his distance for now.

No matter how wonderful Osama is, Thompson's still the master politician in this state.