Fred Thompson rips NYT on Palin coverage

ST. PAUL – Former Sen. Fred Thompson lambasted The New York Times for its coverage of Sarah Palin on Tuesday, claiming the newspaper is "trying their best to drag her down."

Thompson told Fox News that the Times has focused on Palin's children, saying, "I don't think they get it."

{mosads}But Thompson also said the Times is not the only one who has had unfair coverage of Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) running mate, claiming liberal bloggers "are in a state of panic" about Palin.

Thompson touted Palin as a outsider, suggesting that some Washington Republicans are "sore" that McCain didn't pick an inside-the-Beltway politician.

He said Palin "excites people like I've never seen before."

The ex-GOP senator from Tennessee will address the GOP convention on Tuesday, focusing on McCain's life and experience. He acknowledged that Monday's abbreviated convention schedule put Republicans "at a disadvantage" but said the Republicans' decision to put politics aside is consistent with the McCain campaign theme of "Country First."