To be honest, I don't think the recent YouTube video hitting Senator Thompson on abortion is a slam-dunk by itself. Maybe it's because I don't watch Law & Order and don't really get the joke, but I do agree with the oft-made critique that the editing is awfully close--and I also think the editors didn't do such a great job of letting his words speak for themselves.

But with that said, I do think this video has drawn some attention to a noteworthy issue. Near as I can tell, from looking at it and doing some research, Senator Thompson believes two things on life. First, he thinks the states should decide abortion policy, which would require overturning Roe v. Wade. So far, so good. Second, Senator Thompson himself would not support a ban on abortion in his state. Here he is very recently on Hannity & Colmes:

Readers, if you think I am misconstruing Senator Thompson's position, please e-mail and say so--because I don't want to do that. But I don't think I am. And if I'm right, there is an extremely important difference here between Governor Romney and Senator Thompson--because Governor Romney has already said that he not only opposes Roe, but would also support a ban on abortion in his state. And, of course, the other frontrunner (Mayor Giuliani) has already said that he doesn't care whether Roe is repealed. Of those three approaches, I think it's obvious which is most in keeping with pro-life principles--it's the convert's.