When it comes to the 2012 election, Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-5) has ties to some of the prominent players.
On Tuesday, Thompson traveled throughout the region on a bus promoting the Republican ticket for president with stops including Wenzel's Hatch Patch in North Warren. This campaign has him especially excited because Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), the GOP nominee for vice president, is a friend of his.
Any Thursday they are both in Washington, D.C., Thompson and Ryan hold a Bible study. This has allowed him to learn about his character.
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Times Observer photo by Colin Kyler
Campaigning
Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-5) aboard a Mitt Romney bus during a stop in North Warren. Thompson was traveling throughout the region on Tuesday promoting the Republican ticket for president.
Besides that, Thompson believes Ryan is a smart man. He also likes his grasp on financial issues and thinks that's what the country needs.
Another man Thompson counts as a friend, Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.), has recently brought attention to the issue of abortion in the campaign. Running for a Senate seat, Akin said pregnancy resulting from "legitimate rape" was rare because "the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down."
Despite hearing the comments, Thompson said he is still unable to figure out what Akin was saying. However, he described him as a patriot.
According to Thompson, the wording Akin is being criticized for came from President Barack Obama and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. They have definitions for different types of rape and the Hyde Amendment which has been the law of the land for some time prevents federal money from being spent on abortions.
"Todd got confused," Thompson said. "It's unfortunate because he was primarily trying to stand up for the innocent unborn."
Right now, Thompson said America is on the wrong path and he wanted to get involved with the campaign to help provide change. Areas he cited as needing correcting include unemployment, deficits and energy costs.
In talks with people on the tour, Thompson said the top issue he hears is jobs. A family-sustaining job can repair most social ills, he said, but high unemployment has been at its longest since the Great Depression.
To fix this, Thompson advocated returning certainty to job creators like the owner of Hatch Patch. It and other small businesses provide jobs, he said, but government does not.