The original Associated Press story is simple and brief (I reprint it below) but there are a few other angles on the matter, most notably from the New York Times, ABC News, and the Baltimore Sun.The bottom line? Thompson, if President, would not direct the government to intervene even in a case like Terri Schiavo's where the patient's basic right to life was being refused. That's certainly not the kind of message that will draw pro-life advocates to Thompson's camp, especially given their awareness of the ever-broadening scope of the euthanasia movement.
Republican Fred Thompson has previously sidestepped questions about the Terri Schiavo right-to-die case. Yesterday the former Tennessee senator said he's uncomfortable discussing it because of his own daughter's death.
Thompson was asked about the case in Florida, where is occurred and where it is still a major issue. He said it was an intensely personal issue. Thompson said the decisions need to be made by the family -- and the federal and state government should stay out of it.
Thompson's daughter, Elizabeth "Betsy" Thompson Panici, died in 2002 of an accidental drug overdose. She died six days after being brought unconscious to a hospital emergency room.
