Thompson doesn't see a woman as president yet
By Susan Milligan, Globe Staff
URBANDALE, Iowa -- Fred Thompson doesn't have a problem with a female heading a government. But he's not ready for it in this country, at least not yet.
Speaking today to a small group of supporters in the last campaign rush before the Iowa caucuses next week, Thompson railed against those who opposed -- and ultimately assassinated -- former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
"They're driven to distraction by the notion that a secular woman would be head of government,'' the Republican presidential hopeful said of the woman who was slain as she campaigned for her country's presidency after years in exile.
But in America, Thompson said, repeating remarks earlier in the week, no woman is up to the job just yet.
"This year, it's a man, and next year, it's going to be a man,'' said the actor and former US senator from Tennessee. "I can see no one else who's qualified to be president of the United States.''
Most other GOP candidates have been content to warn against the specter of a Hillary Clinton presidency, but careful not to specifically mention the New York senator's gender.



Fred, real nice on the day an amazing woman died in part because she was a woman. Those terrorist types you've spoken about in the past didn't want democracy in Pakistan and especially a woman to be in charge. Just as women are being killed in Iraq for not wearing the proper attire, women in Afganistan are is as bad of shape as ever which is a shame. I never would have voted for your anyway but believe me living in NH I will ensure all my friends and relatives, many of whom are Republicans and Independents, know of your stance. What an embarrasment you are as a politician.
Yeah! I just love being dumped on by some feminist spin from a woman who doesn't even observe the simplest of traditions of accepting an American name.
Anyone with an ounce of reason fully understands exactly who he's talking about...that would include your drool Bobby.
An inexperienced and woefully unqualified woman whose single wrong claim to running is a pathetic excuse for a spouse of an ex-president does not make another poor excuse for a president.
Wake up and smell what you're shoveling!
I love Fred Thompson precisely because he says what everyone is thinking and afraid to say! Hillary is not qualified to be President just because her impeached/disbarred husband was, nor does being a junior Senator from a liberal state qualify her. I truly hope Fred gets elected!
Boy - talk about taking it out of context. Fred made it clear that he has NO problem with a women becoming the head of ANY state, including the USA. But of the people running this year for the Presidency in '08, there isn't a qualified women. Now, since we can pretty well narrow that crowd down to one person, let's stop trying to insinuate he was talking about any woman!
Geez! Get a life!
The nationwide support of Fred Thompson is the thunderous applause of one hand clapping.
Hillary is far more competent and intelligent, a trait missing for the past seven years from the office of President, than an aging actor/shill for Dumb Thug Bush. Another eight years of Clinton and we might be in as good shape as we were when her husband left office. Plus watching Fred run against Hillary would be a dream come true. What woman over the age of 30 in middle America will vote for him with the image of him and his trade in, trophy wife seared into their heads?
Hillary is a fat lesbian. Sprag her legs for a president doesn't make her a president. Hillary is a stupid woman acts like she is smart, but Hillary is also the most manipulative woman in politics. Hillary will cut off Bill Clinton's penis to get herself famous again when she does not get elected, the same way Hillary manipulated and setup whitehouse interns to have sex with her husband to get herself famous.
Americans are yearning for someone who really says what they mean. Hillary is the epitome of the fork-tongued politicians. She made the military not dress in uniform while in the WH and has repeatedly and publicly demeaned them. Bill decimated the military - leaving the US without the resources to detect and respond to Sept 11. And there were 7 attacks by al qaeda on US interests abroad and Bill responded by bombing an aspiriin factory. Bill was offered Osama by Yemen and refused. Now Hillary pretends to respect our troops and to be tough on terrorism. You have to have fluff between your ears to want another Clinton in the WH. Who cares who Fred is married to? He has the right ideas, he speaks them. and he does not care about being "PC". Go Fred!!!
Why are women being allowed to comment on this story? Good God, giving them the vote and allowing them into political life is what led to Hillary in the first place! Ladies, surely you will silence yourselves for the good of this God-fearing, straight, white nation!
Wow, this is out of context! He was making a joke saying that Hillary is not qualified to be President, but he made it clear that he has no problem with the right woman being President. In fact, he said his own daughter is going to be President some day. My goodness, you need to report facts on stop spinning them to make a story!
The truth is that NO ONE really cares what Fred Thompson has to say. He'll spew just about anything when a camera is pointed in his direction. America is so OVER people like him and Bush. They don't even realize how stupid they sound. The American people know better, Hillary will be like a breath of fresh air.
Note to Editor: It looks as if the comments were made in reference to Hillary Clinton.
You know, that stand by your man, susie homeaker, lousy cookiemaker and her comments that played the gender card.
"Hillary be a dear and get out of the kitchen if you can't stand the heat and let the Good ole Boyz do the cooking (grownup work in the White House)".
Bon Appetit
I can understand knee-jerk feminist hairy arm-pitted bra burners going for Hillary, but the thought of a man pulling for her nauseates me. It's so...pink paisley.
Sexist comments! Fred implied that Hillary is not qualified because she's a woman! Why does gender have to come into it. The sexist comments will only hurt him during election time. And believe me, Thompson doesn't have a shot in hell!
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