Fred Thompson's Criminal Advisor: Sad Day to be A Scandalmonger

Thompson:Where's the Pepto-Bismol?

Nearly 30 years ago someone sold some marijuana. The same person over the next several years gets into various scrapes involving drugs.

Fast forward to 2007 and that person loans a buddy, who happens to be a presidential candidate his jet to make some trips. If you're Fred Thompson, that means it's going to be spun like you're a criminal mastermind.

Such is the stuff that passes for scandal these days.

It's not enough that the person running for high office be vetted: everyone he knows, associated with, grew up with or has employed has to pass a test of character that most reporters would fail.

No wonder Fred Thompson waited so long to enter the election process. No doubt, he's shaking his head and sorry that his buddy's long-lost past got splashed on the pages of a Washington Post that apparently was in need of copy.

More guilt by association from the Washington Post:

Republican presidential candidate Fred D. Thompson has been crisscrossing the country since early this summer on a private jet lent to him by a businessman and close adviser who has a criminal record for drug dealing.

Thompson selected the businessman, Philip Martin, to raise seed money for his White House bid. Martin is one of four campaign co-chairmen and the head of a group called the "first day founders." Campaign aides jokingly began to refer to Martin, who has been friends with Thompson since the early 1990s, as the head of "Thompson's Airforce."

So these days, it would seem the best candidate would be a hermit who'd been holed up in a cave for 30 years by himself. Then the favorite press tactic of hiring some out-of-work psychologist for a profile would be the only negative press you'd get. Or questions of your sexuality, if you're a somewhat reclusive bachelor, ala David Souter.

If all else fails, sling the familiar charge of "hypocrisy". From Talk Left

I'm all for former offenders participating in the political process and see no reason why Martin shouldn't be a player if he can. What I find amusing -- about both Thompson and Rudy -- is that they are former federal prosecutors who clearly don't share my views on the topic or support the rights of the criminally accused. Except, apparently, when it's their friends we're talking about.

Okay, maybe there's a little wryness in there. I do agree with the last point--and share the amusement.

That being said, it is a sad day to be a scandalmonger. If the candidate is clean, if his employees are clean, if his family is clean, what to do? Let's see who is associating with the candidate!

Since Thompson's from the GOP, the scandal bar is so low, the World Limbo Champion would be hard-pressed to make it under. Is the Washington Post implying that Thompson's going to be a drug dealer and needs advice on how to break into the market?

If everything one has done in his past is going to be splashed up as possible scandal bait, forget the people associated with the candidates.

Perhaps the Washington Post would like to start with its own employees first.

by Mondoreb & Little Baby Ginn




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