Former Gov. Thompson Defends Palin Vetting

Former Illinois Gov. Jim Thompson defended the McCain campaign's vetting of vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin in an interview with Carol Marin at the Republican Convention in St. Paul.

"She was completely vetted," Thompson told Marin. "I'm satisfied she was vetted," he later added.

Thompson also floated U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk as a possible 2010 gubernatorial candidate.

Watch NBC 5's video of the interview below:

While Thompson was speaking in a political context, the man who chaired the Hollinger International audit committee while top executives Conrad Black and David Radler were defrauding shareholders, may not be an ideal spokesman for oversight.

Comments

[Eric8869]

Who cares what he thinks of anything? I guess he was a better Illinois Republican Govenor than most because he's NOT IN JAIL!

[arthur2008]

Sheer nonsense, John McCain has shown precisely the sort of rash, ill-informed judgment his colleagues in the Senate have always expected and feared.

[Cogs]

"Pay no attention to that man behind the screen" Darn good advice when it comes to Thompson. He waived $20 million in legal fees and assigned Dan Webb to defend the most recent Illinois politician to facecorruption charges. That was a fiasco and George Ryan is now enjoying his golden years in confinement.

Thompson recently tried to swindle the taxpayers of Illinois to pay for the renovations of Wrigley Field.
The plan died on the ivy.

He apologized for failing to provide proper oversight and control of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Everything this guy touches turn to stone.

[DeanAdams]

Lets not forget Gov Thompson's role on the Board of Directors of the Sun Times as Lord Black and his cronies were pillaging the company coffers. His experience in the vetting department is a bit suspect.

[zull2]

Obama took the position of VP seriously enough to spend months carefully vetting all the candidates, whereas McCain pretty much threw a dart at a dartboard. That right there should clue in anyone who's still clueless as to who takes the duty of President more seriously.

[grata2ude]

OMG.........they all look alike. All Republican men look alike? Are we sure they are really against cloning?

[VOTER]

donkat

You aren't kidding about him not being much of a Governor.

I think he was lucky to have left office a free person.

And his mentioning Mark Kirk is just thrilling as it only helps to motivate us more
in stopping Mary Kirk's political career and getting Dan Seals elected.

[arthur2008]

Well, I am convinced: John McCain is ready on Day One -- to be George W. Bush.

[donkat]

He wasn't much of a governor. He's also, by the way, a closeted gay man. There's not a thing wrong with being gay so it's sad they always feel the need to cover it up. Now, he's defending Palin's vetting - as if he knew anything about it.

[Juneau1]

I heard about Thompson's "gayness" when I lived in Chicago. I suppose it is common knowledge. Another example...