Fred Thompson, ready to run. AP Photo by Freddie Lee.
by Mark Silva
Fred Thompson, perhaps better known for film and television roles than for his own political career, is poised to formally entered a contest for the Republican Party’s 2008 presidential nomination open for a conservative newcomer who immediately poses a serious challenge for the party’s front-runners.
The former Tennessee senator plans to launch his candidacy on Sept. 6 with a Webcast on his campaign site and then a three-state tour of early primary states, he told supporters in a conference telephone call today.
While Thompson’s public persona may stem from his most recent starring role on television’s prime-time crime-fighting series, Law and Order, and roles in Hollywood feature films such as The Hunt for Red October, the former senator and federal prosecutor has a lesser-noticed career in public office as well.
He served as chief counsel for the Republicans on the Senate Watergate Committee, hired by then-Sen. Howard Baker of Tennessee, a friend who sees an opening in the Republican field for Thompson.
“I think the party is looking for the right candidate,’’ Baker has told the Tribune.. “He has character…He has experience. He has personality. He has presence.’’
In a statement released today, Thompson said: "I believe that there are millions of Americans who know that our security and prosperity are at risk if we don’t address the challenges of our time; the global threat of terrorism; taxes and spending that will bankrupt future generations, and a government that can’t seem to get the most basic responsibilities right for its citizens...
"The response that we’ve received makes me confident that we have an opportunity to change politics in Washington and across the country, and take on these challenges the way every generation of Americans has faced the challenges of their time – with unity, hard work and a belief that we will come out on the winning side,” he said.
As for Thompson’s conservative credentials – he opposes gun control and abortion – Thompson has said this of his reading of Barry Goldwater’s The Conscience of a Conservative: “The ideas were as clear as a church bell on a cold winter night.’’
When President Bush nominated John Roberts as chief justice for the U.S. Supreme Court two years ago, he tapped Thompson to introduce Roberts around the halls of the Senate for confiimation.
With a campaign based on little more than an “I’m With Fred’’ Web-site so far, and a campaign staff still organizing after an initial housecleaning of the Friends of Fred Thompson exploratory committee, Thompson has laid out a simple platform of low taxation, little government interference and high priority for national security.
Thompson offers a new, more conservative alternative to a socially liberal Republican front-runner, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, analysts say.
“The GOP primary is extraordinarily unsettled, with an unlikely front-runner and no top-running candidate with unquestioned conservative credentials,’’ says Neil Newhouse, a Republican pollster. “The challenge he faces is bringing his campaign up to speed with his opponents... The first 30 days of his candidacy should reveal a lot about whether he's prepared to go all the way.’’
As Thompson prepares from scratch for the premier Iowa nominating caucuses and New Hampshire primary election, he has hired a political director, Randy Enwright, who once served as director of the Iowa Republican Party, and just this week enlisted a communications director, Todd Harris, who campaigned for Sen. John McCain in 2000, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in 2002 and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2003.
With a tour of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida and a homecoming stop in Lawrenceburg, Tenn.,in September, the candidate also is making a statement about the power of television in this campaign. He plans an appearance on NBC’s Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Sept. 5, on the eve of his formal announcement, but he won’t take part in a debate with Republican rivals the same night in New Hampshire.
Thompson, who turned 65 this month, also announced earlier this year that he has cancer, a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which he says is in remission and requires no treatment. The American Cancer Society says people with Thompson’s form of lymphoma can survive for 20 years.
“I have had no illness from it, or even symptoms,’’ Thompson said at the time.
Before even formally declaring his candidacy for the GOP’s 2008 presidential nomination, Thompson has established a respectable position among Republican voters surveyed in early polling.
In the latest Gallup Poll, conducted Aug. 13-16, Thompson ranked better than two other candidates who have been running for many months: Favored among 19 percent of those surveyed, with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney drawing 14 percent, and Arizona Sen. John McCain 11 percent. The apparent leader in this and other early surveys of Republican voters: Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, with 32 percent.
Yet Gallup’s surveys have found something else as well: Giuliani could be riding on his early name-recognition, with a name known among 91 percent of those surveyed. Gallup has found that Thompson, whose name is recognized among 56 percent of those surveyed, actually outpolls Giuliani and the rest of the Republican field among voters who say they are familiar with Giuliani, Thompson, Romney and McCain.
“That says it’s an open’’ field, says Frank Newport, editor-in-chief of the Gallup Poll. “It suggests, on the Republican side, that it is a fluid race…At least, the potential is there for (Thompson) to do pretty well.... I think that conservatives and religious Republicans are not as enthusiastic about Giuliani. That could mean that Thompson could be a significant factor.’’
Other polls have revealed similar standings, suggesting a ready opening for a newcomer with Thompson’s credentials in the Republican field. A CBS News Poll run in early August found Giuliani supported among 38 percent of the Republicans surveyed, Thompson 18 percent, Romney 13 and McCain 12.
Thompson had played more than a dozen film roles – including parts in The Hunt for Red October and Barbarians at the Gate – and became a star on NBC’s Law and Order, playing a New York district attorney after leaving the Senate in 2003 following the death of a daughter.
He had been divorced in 1985 and remarried in 2002. He and his wife, Jeri, 40, have two young children.
He had served as an assistant U.S. attorney in Nashville from 1969-72, helped run Baker’s campaign for the Senate and then served as chief counsel to the Republicans on the Watergate Committee during the investigation that led to the resignation of President Nixon in 1974.
Thompson won a special election in 1994 to fill the Senate seat of Democrat Al Gore, who was elected vice president in 1992, and won re-election in 1996. He chaired the Senate Government Affairs committee.
A native of Sheffield, Ala., and raised in Tennessee, Thompson first married while still in high school and became the first member of his family to go to college -- Memphis State University and Vanderbilt law school.
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Comments
Bring it on dumb old man!!!
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | August 30, 2007 5:44 PM
BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG
YAWN YAWN YAWN!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Raving Loon | August 30, 2007 5:47 PM
"FRED THOMPSON BIG DEAL OR NO DEAL"
HE IS JUST ANOTHER PARTY BUSTER. HE HAS NO SUBSTANCE AND IS FLAT IN HIS IDEAS OTHER THAN LAW AND ORDER. GOD KNOWS WE DON'T HAVE THAT ON CAPITOL HILL. MAYBE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MAYBE VICE PRESIDENT WHEN CHENEY RESIGNS NEXT MONTH. WHO KNOWS BUT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
OVER EVERY BLACK AFRICAN AMERICAN BORN. SO I DOUBT IT.
NOT EVEN OBAMA HAS THAT VOTE LOCK AND KEY. I DON'T THINK BLACK AMERICA IS GOING TO LET DOWN AMERICA. THEY DON'T WANT THEIR CHILDREN FIGHTING IN ANYTHING THAT BUSH PUTS HIS EXECUTIVE ACTIONS TOWARDS.
THE GOP HAS NOTHING OTHER THAN THE FIX ON VOTERS AND VOTERS RIGHTS. THAT IS THE ONLY WAY ANYTHING FROM THE GOP CAN WIN.
MAYBE THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR ELECTIONS IN THE RESTROOMS OF MINNESOTA DURING THE COVENTION OR IN THE PARKS OF FLORIDA IN ORDER TO HAVE SOMEKIND OF IMPACT WITH SOME AMERICANS.
WOMEN OF AMERICA, BLACK AMERICA, AND WHATS LEFT OF HISPANIC AMERICA NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE AND VOTE THIS PARTY OUT OF OFFICE.
54.1 MILLION PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR THEIR OWN VOICES AND VOTE AMERICA AND NOT FAITH BASED.
LAW AND ORDER, WHAT A CONCEPT THAT THIS GOP DOES NOT HAVE A CLUE ABOUT.
THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.
LONG LIVE NANCY PELOSI!
Posted by: Roger Morris | August 30, 2007 5:54 PM
How many times have I seen or heard wingnuts saying hollywood celebrities should stick to making movies and keep their noses out of politics? Wonder if we'll see that now? Sort of legitimizes S Sarandon, B Pitt and M Damon making political statements, it seems to me.
Posted by: snitramc | August 30, 2007 5:57 PM
"FRED THOMPSON BIG DEAL OR NO DEAL"
HE IS JUST ANOTHER PARTY BUSTER. HE HAS NO SUBSTANCE AND IS FLAT IN HIS IDEAS OTHER THAN LAW AND ORDER. GOD KNOWS WE DON'T HAVE THAT ON CAPITOL HILL. MAYBE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MAYBE VICE PRESIDENT WHEN CHENEY RESIGNS NEXT MONTH. WHO KNOWS BUT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
OVER EVERY BLACK AFRICAN AMERICAN BORN. SO I DOUBT IT.
NOT EVEN OBAMA HAS THAT VOTE LOCK AND KEY. I DON'T THINK BLACK AMERICA IS GOING TO LET DOWN AMERICA. THEY DON'T WANT THEIR CHILDREN FIGHTING IN ANYTHING THAT BUSH PUTS HIS EXECUTIVE ACTIONS TOWARDS.
THE GOP HAS NOTHING OTHER THAN THE FIX ON VOTERS AND VOTERS RIGHTS. THAT IS THE ONLY WAY ANYTHING FROM THE GOP CAN WIN.
MAYBE THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR ELECTIONS IN THE RESTROOMS OF MINNESOTA DURING THE COVENTION OR IN THE PARKS OF FLORIDA IN ORDER TO HAVE SOMEKIND OF IMPACT WITH SOME AMERICANS.
WOMEN OF AMERICA, BLACK AMERICA, AND WHATS LEFT OF HISPANIC AMERICA NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE AND VOTE THIS PARTY OUT OF OFFICE.
54.1 MILLION PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR THEIR OWN VOICES AND VOTE AMERICA AND NOT FAITH BASED.
LAW AND ORDER, WHAT A CONCEPT THAT THIS GOP DOES NOT HAVE A CLUE ABOUT.
THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.
LONG LIVE NANCY PELOSI!
Posted by: Roger Morris | August 30, 2007 6:02 PM
Can't we find one candidate who has a chance in 2008, or for that matter truely represents real conservative Republicans. Runaway spending. A pre-emptive war based on lies. I am embarrassed to be a Republican. Fred Thompson? The pain never ends.
Posted by: Reagan Republican | August 30, 2007 6:13 PM
Yeah, right, and I'm going to clean out the attic then build some furniture.
Posted by: C.Morris | August 30, 2007 6:45 PM
Bring it on, Grandpa Fred:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp1TGBFtgEI
http://www.flickr.com/photos/87563349@N00/744653403/
Posted by: John E | August 30, 2007 6:53 PM
snitramc:
Did Brad ("the retard") Pitt ever serve in the U.S. Senate? Was he ever a lawyer, or a federal prosecutor; or did he even get a law degree? Does Susan Sarandon or Matt Damon have any of these qualifications either?
No. They don't. They can't even figure out what political gibberish to vomit unless someone else writes it out for them ahead of time. That's the problem conservatives like me have with these people. They are nothing but puppets when they enter the political arena.
On the other hand Fred D. Thompson has a law degree, practiced law, served as a federal prosecutor, served as a Republican lawyer during the Watergate Hearings, served as Senator for Tennessee for the unexpired portion of Al Gore’s senate term, and then served another term as Senator upon reelection.
That, by the way, is more political experience than John Edwards, and about the same experience level as Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama (counting Obama’s Illinois legislative experience). I don't hear you dismissing any of these folks – probably because they’re the Democratic frontrunners. So why the double standard?
There is no good reason for the double standard. It’s just asinine to dismiss Fred Thompson as just another Hollywood figure, as you have. That's really the tail wagging the dog.
Posted by: John W. | August 30, 2007 7:41 PM
Oh yeah, that doughy Republican who likes to flaunt his embargoed Cuban cigars; the guy with the acting skills to come across as credible.
Yeah, he symbolizes the GOP all right.
Posted by: Smirky McFlightsuit | August 30, 2007 7:54 PM
..."On the other hand Fred D. Thompson has a law degree, practiced law, served as a federal prosecutor, served as a Republican lawyer during the Watergate Hearings, served as Senator for Tennessee for the unexpired portion of Al Gore’s senate term, and then served another term as Senator upon reelection."...
...so, in other words, you're saying that Thompson can't seem to hold a job?...
...(and maybe he should have stayed in the Senate...he ain't much of an actor)...
Posted by: The Original BZ | August 30, 2007 8:11 PM
I still think he looks like a creepy old man...
Posted by: lochnessmonster | August 30, 2007 9:12 PM
Now here's a guy who looks and sounds like a President is supposed to. His detractors concerning his appearance obviously would have had a problem with FDR who had many of the same characteristics. Too bad lefties, you're stuck with Hildy.
Posted by: Shaka | August 30, 2007 9:46 PM
Thompson also spent years as a lobbyist. Why isn't that high on his resume?
Barry Goldwater would not recognize the Republican party today.
Posted by: athena | August 30, 2007 11:28 PM
I think he may have waited too long. i don't pretend to know how republicans think, afterall didn't they vote for Bush??
Well, seems Thompson might be a bit better than that.
But, he has played hard to get for so long people may have grown tired of waiting.
Posted by: vwcat | August 31, 2007 12:22 AM
I've got a feeling (a feeling deep inside) that Fred Thompson would make a very scary leader of the Free World.
Thompson says that global warming is caused by the sun--not human activity: "The science is absolutely decided. There's a consensus."
"NASA says the Martian South Pole's ice cap has been shrinking for three summers in a row."
"There is so much carbon dioxide that it does not disappear in one summer--in fact it may take hundreds of thousands of years to disappear," Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Orbital Camera, Release No. MOC2-297, 12/06/01.
"Maybe Mars got its fever from Earth. If so, I guess Jupiter caught the same cold, because it's warming up too, like Pluto."
A study of Jupiter by two University of CA, Berkeley, professors states: "The global (Jupiter's) change cycle began when the last of the white oval-shaped storms formed south of the Great Red Spot in 1939. As the storms started to merge between 1998 and 2000, the mixing of heat began to slow down at that latitude and has continued slowing ever since."
MIT's James Elliot talks of eruptive activity as the culprit on Pluto: "There could be more massive activity on Pluto, since the changes observed in Pluto's atmosphere are much more severe."
On the issue of Free Trade (no trade pacts to protect against cheap foreign labor...) Thompson says: "Free trade and market economies have done more for freedom and prosperity than a central planner could ever dream and we're the world's best example of that."
"Japan is challenging US technological leadership, not only in mature industries such as autos and steel, but also in high-tech sectors such as machine tools, computers, and electronics. Although the internal problems of the US economy have contributed substantially to these deeper problems, Japanese strategic trade policies and industrial targeting have also had a significant effect. JAPAN HAS KEPT ITS DOMESTIC MARKETS EFFECTIVELY CLOSED TO MANUFACTURED IMPORTS, while targeting export markets in one industry after another," The Japanese Trade Challenge and the US Response, D. Salvatore.
Skilled foreign national high-tech workers are allowed to work here under the H-1B visa program, because it is important that Industry not be hampered by a dearth of vital workers... However, the US Govt. Accounting Office says that employers use the program to hire less-expensive foreign workers. In 2006, the US Dep't. of Labor rubber-stamped 75 imported COMPUTER SOFTWARE ENGINEERS TO WORK HERE AT $11.88 AN HOUR!!!
As a Sen., Thompson voted for MORE foreign high-tech workers despite the fact that US high-tech workers over the age of fifty were being hit with 17% unemployment...
Posted by: Michael L. Wagner | August 31, 2007 12:36 AM
Nobody with half a brain is going to vote for another fat old white repuke. The only difference, although a big one, between Georgie boy and Fred is that Georgie PRETENDS to be a Red Neck, while Fred is a died in the wool racist, lazy fat ass Red Neck. PULEEEEZZZZEEEE run this jerk. You'll never even carry Tennessee.
Posted by: Mrs. Jesus | August 31, 2007 2:40 AM
This is huge news! Really, really huge news. The World is waiting for you Freddie. But just wait til Don Giuliano starts biting into your big butt. You'll wish you had stayed on TV playing president. That's about as close to the White House as you'll get. I know, the majority of Republicans think you're wonderful. They feel the same way about all the other bland, old farts trying to win the hearts and minds of the American people.
Posted by: GW | August 31, 2007 7:47 AM
"Moreover, new transcripts from the Nixon White House tapes reveal that the Nixon administration regarded Thompson as a useful idiot -- "dumb as hell," in President Nixon's words..."
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 31, 2007 8:45 AM
"served as a Republican lawyer during the Watergate Hearings"
Let's be clear about the role Thompson served during Watergate.
Thompson was a lawyer employed by the Senate Watergate Committee investigating the Nixon Administration. He was employed to serve the Senate, not the Administration, and not the Republican Party. However, Mr. Thompson did not act in accordance with that position. He provided information to the Nixon White House during the course of the investigation that he was not authorized too, with his own admitted intention to help the Administration protect itself from the investigation.
From his own book, in regards to the disclosure of the Watergate tapes:
"Even though I had no authority to act for the committee, I decided to call Fred Buzhardt at home. I wanted to be sure that the White House was fully aware of what was to be disclosed so that it could take appropriate action."
Fred Thompson put the needs of the Republican Party above the needs of the nation, and his own profession duties as a lawyer.
Posted by: Tony | August 31, 2007 8:53 AM
They can't even figure out what political gibberish to vomit unless someone else writes it out for them ahead of time. That's the problem conservatives like me have with these people. They are nothing but puppets when they enter the political arena.
Posted by: John W. | August 30, 2007 7:41 PM
Who was telling Fred Thompson to speak when he was a paid lobbyist? Some of the issues he lobbied for are anathema to conservatives and contrary to what he vomitted when he was admittedly lazy Senator
Posted by: jethro | August 31, 2007 11:43 AM
Fred you don't stand a chance- you're wasting your time and money you fat Republic-scum fool. You look old and tired. Give it up.
You can make more $$ being a crooked corrupt lobbyist.
Posted by: Doug R. | August 31, 2007 11:55 AM
Here he is folks, the Republican party's Great White Dope!
Posted by: JohnC | August 31, 2007 3:43 PM