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January 14, 2009

Fmr. Sen. Fred Thompson on the GOP

Hannity

HANNITY: But first joining us tonight for more on Obama's Cabinet nightmares, is former senator, presidential candidate, Fred Thompson, who was a member of the Senate Finance Committee.

Senate, how are you?

FRED THOMPSON, FORMER SENATOR: I'm good. How are you?

HANNITY: This is a great night for guests.

THOMPSON: No -- I understand you're going to have some good ones later on.

HANNITY: Well, we -- we got the "Great American Panel." Your wife is going to be on the "Great American Panel." So we're looking forward to it.

THOMPSON: I hope you're able to coax an opinion out of her.

(LAUGHTER)

HANNITY: Very well said.

THOMPSON: Hey, listen, you're not going to be one of those narrow minded guys who thinks that the head of the IRS ought to pay his taxes, are you?

HANNITY: I -- you know, I was thinking if I don't pay my taxes, it's only going to be a mere hiccup, right, Senator?

(LAUGHTER)

THOMPSON: Well, I'll tell you. I think that they're making a mistake. These senators on both sides of the aisle are getting out there and saying it's -- either serious or it's not before they have these hearings. There's enough there for them to look into.

They're going to apply the same standard they apply to these other people here. They're going to have to look into it, and there's some things there that really bear questioning. It doesn't make any sense from the onset. So they ought to, they ought to wait and find out what the facts are and do the right thing.

HANNITY: Well, we got -- look, it's Holder's tomorrow. We've got a special investigation in our next segment about him. He's got a lot of controversies. We also have conflicts of interest, the Clinton, the Clinton Foundation, Clinton speeches, all these countries, you know, hundreds of millions of dollars.

THOMPSON: Yes. They've set themselves -- I mean it's really kind of a press story.

HANNITY: Right.

THOMPSON: And the double standard that applies here because the administration set itself up, you know, no conflicts of interest. Well, you know, the new secretary of state is a walking conflict of interest. You know her husband is still going to be, evidently, taking, taking money from Saudi sheiks and things like that while she's secretary of state.

And you know, anti-lobbyist and so forth, and the skies across Washington are dark now with lobbyist airplanes coming in to get a piece of the stimulus package.

(LAUGHTER)

THOMPSON: They're all over the place, and they're going to be based on the policies that are -- already be (INAUDIBLE).

HANNITY: All right. One other controversial pick, Carol Browner, now part of a socialist, communist group that believes economically the United States should retreat, and you know, we ought to be giving in to climate change and redistributing our wealth worldwide.

I almost thing, when you put this all together, and see if you agree with me, can Barack Obama do anything wrong in the eyes of a nation sort of hypnotized by him?

THOMPSON: Well, we'll see. You know, he's -- he's undergoing a honeymoon treatment right now by the press, that's understandable to a point. But only to a point.

I mean I -- whatever the standard has been for George Bush and Bill Clinton and others with regard to these nominees, with regard to how much money they spend on their inaugural activities and so forth, and these other stories that are coming out, you know, that's the standard that ought to be applied.

They're going to be making a mistake if they don't do that because they're going to have egg on their face later. Everybody is going to make mistakes. Every administration make -- if they will face up to them and do them in a forthright manner, as they've criticized the current administration for not doing, they'll be OK, but the press can't afford to -- be their leading cheerleader the way they were during the campaign.

HANNITY: Do you see what I see? Republicans seem a little -- timid in going after some of these nominees?

THOMPSON: Yes.

HANNITY: Republicans seem a little timid.

THOMPSON: Yes.

HANNITY: . in combating the big spending?

THOMPSON: Yes.

HANNITY: Redistribution policies?

THOMPSON: I think so. I think so. They're back on their heels, you know, they've -- we've taken a pretty sound drubbing. The administration is in control of both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue and both Houses in the United States Congress, so, you know, they're back on their heels a little bit right now, and they're -- but the way to assert themselves and have an effect on the benefit -- for the benefit of the country is, you know, to call them out when they deserve to be called out and be strong based on the principles that we believe in.

HANNITY: Seems to be a battle. Some suggest that while conservatives are trying to pull the party too far to the right and others are saying no, no, we -- the Republicans better moderate or they'll be a party that is out of power for decades to come.

I happen to believe the reason Republicans are in this position is because they basically became a carbon copy of the Democratic Party. Am I right or wrong?

THOMPSON: I think that what Republicans need to do is to remember why they're supposed to be Republicans. That is basic conservative principles that have to do with free enterprise, that has to do with free markets, has to do with trade with our neighbors, a strong national defense.

Those things that -- not only made us a great party, but a great nation. The nations that have followed that template have become successful, we have, for sure, and we will again if we'll adhere to those principles, and even when it's tough doing so and learn how to articulate them in the process.

HANNITY: Senator, great to see you. And Senator Thompson's wife, Jeri, is going to be on our "Great American Panel." Appreciate you being with us.

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