-By Warner Todd Huston
First of all, I am a Thompson supporter and obviously so is this blog. But, there must be a comment made on this Martin story. I am sure by now everyone has seen the Washington ComPost story about the campaign fundraiser in Fred Thompson’s inner circle, a man that has a criminal past. I’ve waited a day or so to get all the facts and reactions.
I do have to dispute one thing with the Post’s coverage, first off. It seems (and I am no campaign insider mind you) that this guy is less an “adviser,” as the Post’s headline proclaims, and more of a high level fund raiser. Philip Martin has also legally lent his private jet to the Thompson campaign. Again, I stress, LEGALLY. But it seems he has been more of a fund raising source and long time associate for Thompson than a true adviser.
In fact, the thing that I take away from the Post’s report is that Martin has kept his nose clean for the last 20 years, which comprises the entire time that Thompson has known the man. This could easily mean that Martin successfully hid his past from all his current associates.
For their part, the Thompson campaign told the MSM that they cannot be expected to check every single member of the campaign for up to 20 years into their past. And, of course they can’t. As we have seen with the Clinton campaign, she doesn’t check the CURRENT criminal record of her donors!
But, let’s contrast this story with that of Hillary Clinton’s criminal associates many of whom are CURRENT criminals! Seems like Thompson’s errant pal is far from the same crop of criminals that the Clinton campaign employs.
… and lest we mention that her husband has a criminal past?
Still, this is certainly a problem for Thompson if it takes root as a story and candidates start to pound on Fred for it. Whatever the case, I hope the Thompson campaign takes this story seriously and makes a firm move one way or the other.
It is probably the wrong move, but I’d like to see Thompson stand up for his guy if that guy has a clean record in compliance with any parole requirements. If, however, Martin has violated laws or rules, then dump him. But don’t dump him just to avoid the problem.
Still, the easy thing would be to dump him, so It won’t be surprising if he is dumped.
In any case, this is definitely a bump in the road. Whether it becomes more than that remains to be seen. But, to me, it isn’t that big deal thus far.
**Update**
Well Thompson did just what I’d have hoped with his response about Martin on Meet The Press:
“I’m not going to throw my friend under the bus for something he did, you know, 25 years ago if he’s OK now,” Thompson said. “On the other hand, I’m running for president, I — I’ve got, you know, to, to do the right thing, you know, and problems occur, and I’ll just have to figure it out.”
Just as I would have done it. Good job, Fred.
Now we can await further investigations and see where it goes.
The BUS ran Monday.