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Thompson Disavows Pro-Choice Lobbying

Allegation could mar conservative cred

By Sam Biddle, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 7, 2007 10:52 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Fred Thompson camp vehemently denied a claim today by an abortion-rights advocacy group that he worked as a lobbyist for them in 1991, the Los Angeles Times reports. The group claims Thompson contacted White House officials as part of an attempt to ease restrictions on abortion counseling at federally funded clinics.

The National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Assn. produced minutes of a meeting reflecting his hiring, and a current Democratic representative, Michael Barnes, who was a colleague of Thompson's at the lobbying firm at the time, recalled discussing the work with him, calling the denial "absolutely bizarre." The pro-life Thompson is expected to announce his candidacy this month.

Presidential aspirant Fred Thompson gets ready to speak to Republicans in the nation's earliest presidential primary state in Bedford, N.H., Thursday, June 28, 2007.(AP Photo/Jim Cole) (Associated Press)

Prospective Republican presidential candidate former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, of Tennessee, speaks at a South Carolina Republican Party fundraiser, Wednesday, June 27, 2007, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Brett... (Associated Press)

Republican presidential hopeful former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., speaks at a South Carolina Republican Party fundraiser in Columbia, S.C., Wednesday, June 27, 2007. (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick) (Associated Press)

Steve Lefemine, the Director of Columbia Christians For Life, protests outside of the Clarion Townhouse Hotel in Columbia, S.C., on Wednesday, June 27, 2007, where Republican presidential hopeful former... (Associated Press)

Actor Fred Thompson, a former U.S. senator and possible candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, speaks to Republicans in Bedford, N.H., Thursday, June 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Jim Cole) (Associated Press)

Actor and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, right, followed by Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Fla, left, arrives at the Capitol Hill Club on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this April 18, 200 file photo, where... (Associated Press)

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Allegation could mar conservative cred

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Rudy Tells Moral Critics: 'Cast the First Stone'

And he leads among churchgoers

Rivals Attack Rudy's Record as NY Mayor

Gotham chief soft on immigration, tough on gun control, foes taunt

GOP Is Chasing Away Latino Voters

Immigration policy hurting party, says American Prospect

Candidate or DA: Thompson Can't Be Both

If he runs, NBC will pull 'Law & Order' episodes

From Whispers, GOP Hopefuls Aim for a Roar

Backchannel back-stabbing on rise ahead of Iowa poll

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Thompson Disavows Pro-Choice Lobbying

Allegation could mar conservative cred

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

abortion • Fred Thompson • presidential election

MOST POPULAR STORIES

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More Newser Stories

Rudy Tells Moral Critics: 'Cast the First Stone'

And he leads among churchgoers

Rivals Attack Rudy's Record as NY Mayor

Gotham chief soft on immigration, tough on gun control, foes taunt

GOP Is Chasing Away Latino Voters

Immigration policy hurting party, says American Prospect

Candidate or DA: Thompson Can't Be Both

If he runs, NBC will pull 'Law & Order' episodes

From Whispers, GOP Hopefuls Aim for a Roar

Backchannel back-stabbing on rise ahead of Iowa poll

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Newser By Users

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More News

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