A potentially very damaging allegation against Fred Thompson

The LA Times reported today that Thompson lobbied in 1991 to get rid of the "gag rule"--no federal money to clinics that do abortion counseling. A lot hinges on the outcome of this story, especially as Thompson's spokesman told the paper that the former senator denied doing it. This reminds me of story about John Roberts helping out the respondent in the Romer case. At the hearings Roberts claimed he helps out in mock trials anyone who asks him.

In Washington ideology matters much less than to voters, who often see things in terms of principles and their betrayal.

That Thompson may be more of a moderate will not help him in the race (by appealing to Republican moderates) because there are already plenty of candidates with mixed views, and not only would he be added to this pack, but his credibility would be damaged after having denied it through his spokesman.