Fred Thompson Runs New Iowa Campaign Ad Referencing Abortion Opposition

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Dec 30, 2007   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Fred Thompson Runs New Iowa Campaign Ad Referencing Abortion Opposition Email this article
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 30,
2007

Des Moines, IA (LifeNews.com) — Fred Thompson is running a new Iowa ad he hopes will catapult him to a strong top three finish and reinvigorate his chances of capturing the Republican nomination. Thompson has lagged in the polls behind Mitt Romney and Mike Huckbee and he hopes to make up some of the ground with the 70 percent of Iowa Republicans who are pro-life.

The new ad highlights other political issues but also touts his opposition to abortion and an endorsement from a leading national pro-life organization.

The 30-second Thompson campaign ad calls the former Tennessee senator the “clear conservative choice” and discusses positive comments from the Wall St. Journal, National Review and Investor’s Daily.

“And the National Right to Life Committee endorsed him because they know he can win. Fred Thompson,” the commercial continues.

The ad shows images of Thompson addressing various audiences, American flags, and Iowa supporters with signs and other campaign items at rallies for him.

Thompson has conducted a barnstorming tour of Iowa over the last few weeks hoping to put together a strong enough showing there to build up momentum for subsequent states.

Karen Hanretty, spokeswoman for Thompson’s campaign, told the Los Angeles Times that she thinks he can finish in at least third place and that crowds are getting bigger for Thompson at every campaign stop as the caucus vote on January 5 approaches.

"Momentum continues to be building," she said. "The reason is, he’s running on issues. He’s not talking platitudes to the people."

An average of the latest Iowa polls shows Thompson running alongside John McCain for a third place finish with about 10 percent of the vote. Romney and Huckabee are shown at closer to 30 percent apiece as various surveys show each candidate potentially leading in the state.

With his campaign essentially not competing in New Hampshire, Thompson will likely need to finish with a much higher percentage to continue on to South Carolina later in the month.

Thompson has to hope that the recent attacks Huckabee and Romney have lobbed at each other will cause their supporters to flock to him.

Several state pro-life groups have also endorsed Thompson as well, while some pro-life groups and leaders have backed other candidates. Pro-life groups have repeatedly said they’re opposed to Rudy Giuliani, the pro-abortion former New York City mayor who is seeing his standing erode in the polls.