Fred Thompson - Political Positions

Political Positions

Thompson has said that federalism is his "lodestar", which provides "a basis for a proper analysis of most issues: 'Is this something government should be doing? If so, at what level of government?'"

Thompson states "Roe v. Wade was bad law and bad medical science," and that judges should not be determining social policy. Thompson has also stated the government should not criminally prosecute women who undergo early term abortions.

Thompson does not support a federal ban on gay marriage, but would support a constitutional amendment to keep one state's recognition of such marriages from resulting in all states having to recognise them.

Thompson says citizens are entitled to keep and bear arms if they do not have criminal records and the Gun Owners of America says that he voted pro-gun in 20 of 33 gun-related votes during his time in the Senate.

Thompson says U.S. borders need to be secured before considering comprehensive immigration reform, but he also supports a path to citizenship for illegal aliens saying “You’re going to have to, in some way, work out a deal where they can have some aspirations of citizenship, but not make it so easy that it’s unfair to the people waiting in line and abiding by the law.” Thompson supported the U.S. 2003 invasion of Iraq and is opposed to withdrawing troops, but believes "mistakes have been made" since the invasion.

Thompson initially supported the McCain-Feingold campaign finance legislation, but now says certain parts should be repealed.

Thompson is skeptical that human efforts cause global warming and has pointed to parallel warming on Mars and other planets as an example.