Thanks to this post at ElephantBiz, it's now obvious that all current GOP candidates will blow away and Fred Thompson will step in to save the day. OK it's not that obvious, but there are many admirers of the former senator from Tennessee, including this Web site.
Hotline on Call quotes the WH Bulletin:
Thompson, the former Tennessee Republican senator who's now a Law & Order prosecutor and regular replacement for radio host Paul Harvey, is being urged by supporters to consider entering the presidential race, according to associates. "The draft Fred movement is growing," says one ally. They say that Thompson is flattered by the suggestions, but it is unclear if he is turning away their appeals. The effort is growing among conservative blogs, where several boards are pushing the folksy straight-talker to get in.But then throws cold water all over the idea:
Most importantly, Sen. John McCain is one of Thompson's best friends. They talk regularly. A source close to Thompson said that Thompson will not run for president, period.But what if McCain faded?This is more a symptom of certain conservatives in the party looking at the current field and realizing that there is no conservative hero among them. The only solution then is to draft one. Huckabee and Brownback don't have the stature and gravitas that Fred Thompson exudes without even trying. Unfortunately Senator Thompson has never indicated much of a desire to be president.
If McCain fades sure, Thompson could step in but don't bet on it. what I'm wondering is that given Rudy's liberal record on things, will there be a conservative Stop Rudy campaign coalescing to draft a champion? Just because conservatives can handle Rudy's liberal values doesn't mean they like it. All things equal, they'd rather have Rudy's qualities plus a social conservative as well.
Fred Thompson may not be the only one to face a draft.
Reader Comments ( Page 4 of 23)
46. Senator Thompson also left office because he kept his promise to the voters in Tennessee not to become a career politician. He would be a great choice for President, but I agree with the statement above that he seems not to have the huge ego required to run for President. However...that might be just what we need. A level-headed, down to earth, honest(with emphasis on honest) person to run the Oval Office.
Newt at 8:35AM on Mar 4th 2007
47. This guy stands for values and is not a moderate wish washy Republican... like mayor combover.
If he runs... he has my vote...no mistake there.
junior at 8:35AM on Mar 4th 2007
48. Sharon, (#12) you are living in a dream world if you dont believe that islamic fundamentalists dont want to see the Western World burn in hell. That does NOT mean all muslums do. I have no doubt the people you mention are nice people. I am sure 90 % of the muslims in the world are decent people. America has good friends in Egypt and Jordan even though they are not exactly Democracies. Having said that, I assume the great majority of Germans were good people too before 1938, and most even after that. Unfortunantly, it was their leaders who decided to invade Poland, France, Africa.. and Oh yeah, Kill 6 million Jews. In a related note, Irans president just recently hosted a conference which basically denied the holocost ever happened, and he has said that Jews are the devil personified and that Israel as well as America needs to be wiped off the map.. Literally. So dont tell me that millitant islam is a disproven fallacy. I guess your definition is that they havent killed say 30,000 Americans yet and I guess you feel that Irans president is just joking and doesnt mean it when he says things like that. Get a brain Sharon. Oh.. and invading for oil, I dont think we have done that but dont use the phrase they get a bit ticked, OK! I guess you dont remember the plan the Brits just recently foiled that those Islamist nice guys had to blow up 10 airliners over the Atlantic, the attemptted subway attack in Britan they also stopped. The attack in Spain before that. Not to mention 9/11, the USS Cole, Cobar Towers, The World Trade Center attack in 1993, (at least you can say they are persistent huh!) and there are many more examples of those kindly muslims just wanting to live in peace. Those nice and kindly muslim terrorists (I know, its a fallacy... they are just misunderstood) have been attacking us and the west for years. I believe almost all those attacks were..umm.. before we invaded Iraq. Is everyone paying attention??
As for Thompson, I like him, I need to know more but I would vote for him. I think he talks straight, but he wont run. I agree with the earlier blogger. He doesnt have the ego for the job, nor does Colin Powel. A shame that the best possible candidates wouldnt have the job. America could certainly do better then most of those on both sides who are running right now.
Oh.. and a note to Alec Baldwin.. if Hillary wins, I am moving to Europe. Better yet to Iran. I am sure they would welcome me with open arms. O wait, thats what America does. In muslim counties like Iran, they welcome you, throw you in prison or cut off your head, (forgive the levity Mrs. Pearl. Ofcourse, if you are a Jew, (which, by the way, I am not jewish.. dont worry you Zionost haters), dont even try go to Sudan. They wont even let you in the country! I know Sharon, they just want to live in peace. As Earl Pitts would emphatically say, "Wake Up America"!
Bill at 8:40AM on Mar 4th 2007
49. I'll vote for Thompson if he brings McCoy along as attornney general.
Chuck Greene at 8:41AM on Mar 4th 2007
50. From all I know, Fred Thompson would make an excellent candidate, and a great President. I'd vote for him over any extant contenders.
Dr Julian at 8:51AM on Mar 4th 2007
51. I am going to vote Dem., however if Sen. Thompson run's I would have to look at that hard and long. Sen. Thompson is about they only name out there that would make me do that. I for one hope he run's we need to make our vote for the best guy in the Country, not just for the best in a small group. Anyone who could do a great job needs to throw there name into the hat. We really need the best of the best this time around.
Dan at 8:46AM on Mar 4th 2007
52. We could certainly use the LAW & ORDER that Fred would bring,that has been conspicuously missing during the BUSH administration
Lyle Hamm at 8:47AM on Mar 4th 2007
53. As a young lawyer Fred Thompson shot to prominence during the Watergate hearings when he asked the question that disclosed the existance of the Oval office taping system. Later, while in private practice in Tennessee, he was hired as a technical consultant by a production company while filming a true life story about a female corruption buster in Tennessee politics. Fred was so good at consulting, they hired him to play a part in the movie.
He then appeared in several movies before being elected to the Senate and was quoted as saying that "acting is so easy, it's like finding money in the street".
Fred Thompson for President.
longball38884 at 8:49AM on Mar 4th 2007
54. of all the people running i would love to see fred thompson in there. he the only one i like out of them all. not only the ones running but whole bunch of democrat's and republican's
bill fritchey at 8:49AM on Mar 4th 2007
55. I know Mr. Thompson from Law and Order, but never knew he was a senator. This tells me that either he didn't do much as a senator or I'm just out of it when concerning politics. Since I know it's not the latter, I have to assume he had a mundane existance in the Senate. BUT, I would entertain anyone that would use their conscience over their party to make decissions concerning this country. If more people voted their conscience than just going along with their party candidate, maybe we could have already put some good guys in the oval office. Lately I just can't seem to find anybody that stirs my interest. I'll keep looking and hopefully someone will appear soon.
Janet at 9:18AM on Mar 4th 2007
56. Mr. Thompson kept his word to the voters of Tennessee not to become a career politician. I agree with some of the previous post that he lacks the huge ego necessary to run for President..However, that is just what we need. An honest(with emphasis on honest)intelligent,affiable person to run the Oval Office. Of all the candidates, he is probably closest to being a main stream conservative.(that is a Reagan conservative) He is just what this country needs to bring itself back from the brink of self-destruction by bi-partisan bull****. He has my vote for sure.
Newt at 9:07AM on Mar 4th 2007
57. I remember Fred Thompson in the Senae.........He was great.....................He will bring sanity back in Washington and add to the excellence of our country...............He is fatherly and strong in his commitments.................We would vote for Thompson over all of the other candidates.....We hope that the Republicans will wake up and see that this man will unify the Republican Party and unify our nation....................the Democrats are dividing our nation and in turn destroying our nation and the republicans are too weak to combat them...........Thompson is tough and will do just that.................God Bless Fred Thompson...........
jefrann at 9:44AM on Mar 5th 2007
58. i have always voted for a democratic president except for 1 time when richard nixon was elected but i would not hesitate to vote for fred thompson i told my wife years ago that he was the most presidential looking person i have seen in years i think he even played a president in a movie some time back i thought he was a very sincere person as a senator he would have my vote for sure i have been looking at all the candidates on both sides and all i can say is god help us all
john hickman at 9:08AM on Mar 4th 2007
59. Fred Thompson gets my vote over anyone else. Thats the kind of guts, determination and good old fashioned common sense that this cpountry needs in the White House. He is a man of integrity and is noy afraid to speak his mind and keep things simple so the average American can clearly understand whats going on in his/her country. VOTE HIM IN
Anthony Ciuffo at 9:18AM on Mar 4th 2007
60. Fred Thompson would be a leader voters could count
on, with his honest leadership. Fred would not be lead by the nose with those in our government that
have overwhelmed other so called leaders.
Tommy Strother at 9:23AM on Mar 4th 2007