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 7 of 23)
91. If Fred Thompson wants to run, the vast majority of us need to know something about him. What we know about is the District Attorney in NYC. An intelligent, articulate and principled man. Great traits for the President of the United States. But not the best for RUNNING for President. Mr. Thompson may be that same person we see on Law and Order. But if he is, WHY would he want ro run for President?
Rich at 10:40AM on Mar 4th 2007
92. McCain is only right with regard to some matters on Defense. Rudy is proven leader and charismatic, but wrong on too many issues. Romney has a spotty record, but Reagan was a Democrat before he saw the light.
I like Fred Thompson, but he is like a lot of Republicans from this state....moderate, although he may be a little less so than Howard Baker, Alexander, Frist, etc.
Craig at 10:45AM on Mar 4th 2007
93. Freddy Thompson, like Ronald the Great, is an actor. The late Ronald and the live and kicking Freddy both know(ew) the primacy of selling the program. Reagan once said that he doubted he could do this job (president USA) if he wasn't an actor. If Thompson will honestly wage war against crime, terrorists and control our supposedly sovereign borders as well as protect our shrinking economic freedoms, I'd vote for him and invest my hopes in his salesmanship. Beyond AM radio, a few journalists on FOX and some internet sites Freddy Thompson will have to go around the dominant, fashionable (and contemptible) leftist media which dominate the chattering classes. To say that the media is not left bias is to take a perverse pleasure in lying. Thompson will be fighting an unfair fight so an actors communication skills can help him go around the left bias media and straight to the polity.
Lee Robinson at 10:53AM on Mar 4th 2007
94. 1. The only way to get out of Iraq is to win, by any means. Anything less than that will, without a doubt, will jeopardize the safety and security of the United States of America. It's time to get the politicians out of the war and let our military heros do their jobs.
2. Enforce our laws and immediately stop the flood of illegal aliens coming here from any country -- no matter what it takes. We can figure out what to do with those already here after we stop the bleeding.
Any candidate who doesn't see these as the top two priorities and who doesn't have the voting record to back it up doesn't get my vote.
Bob at 9:03AM on Mar 5th 2007
95. Well, as you know, the greatest President of them all came out of Hollywood at a ripe age via the California Governorship. So, it is plausible. However, I don't think Mr. Thompson has any desire to soil his hands with the campaign bile currently run amuck.
And I say to those bloggers who they don’t know anything about him or his tenure in the Senate was unremarkable: Hog wash – you haven’t been listening (or caring). When Al Gore resigned his office Fred Thompson ran for the seat and destroyed six-term dem Jim Cooper. In fact the thrashing he gave Cooper was the worst in the history of Tennessee politics. Soon after his swearing-in he was elected by the Senate elephants to do the rebuttal to one of Clinton’s nationally televised speeches and in doing so gave one of the best confutations of any Slick-Willie statements I’d seen or heard.
Thompson served as Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee and in that capacity headed up investigations aimed at cleaning up politics in America. Many Republicans wanted George Bush to select Thompson to be his running mate the 2000 campaign but I don’t think he would have accepted that invitation if it were made. For a short time in 2001 when Jim Jeffords turned tail forcing a reorganization of the Senate Thompson was the ranking senate minority member.
This guy aint no rookie and he does have the “nads” to do the right thing vis-à-vis Iraq, the US economy, our borders, stem cell research, the judicial system, and politics in general.
And Sharon at 7:35 should know that assumptions are the mother of all screw-ups. Why would she assume that Fred Thompson is “anti-immigration” and “pro-any war”? She most certainly meant “law-abiding” (vise anti) with regard to immigration. And assuming all conservatives are pro-war for the benefit of big business is akin to assuming that Al Gore must have screwed Marilyn Monroe, John Edwards killed young drunk women and John Kerry was having sex with his aides – Hog wash!
Rick Truelove at 11:40AM on Mar 4th 2007
96. Everything I've read about Fred Thompson in the newspapers, even the very liberal Washington Post, has indicated he is a man with integrity who doesn't just vote party lines but carefully weighs the pros and cons of an issue before coming down on one side or the other. This is exactly the type of man we need in the White House. He is not afraid to disagree with his own party when he feels they are wrong, yet he also embraces the values that made this country great to begin with. It would be a refreshing change to have a president who isn't influenced by polls as much as he is by the concept of right and wrong.
Frank at 11:34AM on Mar 4th 2007
97. I totally agree with #13 (Fletcher Phelan's) comment.
I am not a native of Tennessee, but have lived here over 13 years, and I have yet seen anyone worth a minute's notice running for the next election.
But I'd vote for Fred Thompson because he's the only one with enough brains and grit for the job.
It's a shame we are digging into the business of other countries, instead of focusing on strengthening our own homeland.
That is what I fear the most, in our country--what other countries wish to for us to do is...not being fully aware of our own problems.
Kathleen Cook at 11:06AM on Mar 4th 2007
98. NEWT for the next 8 years, and while there will hopefully get TERM LIMITS passed for CONGRESS.
Jim Baber at 11:12AM on Mar 4th 2007
99. Interesting. Thompson scores well as a very credible and appealing ACTOR. Eureka, let's go with Orwell Plan B! Quick, see to Thompson's nomination and election! Have him appoint Speilberg and Gates to his Cabinet, and get the Muslim vs Judao-Christian WWIII movie and software into production immediately! I want Angelina cast as Thompson's daughter, and Brad Pitt as his running mate...
Greg at 9:21AM on Mar 10th 2007
100. Electing a President ammounts to hiring a CEO to run the largest business in the world. Without extensive administrative experience before or after serving in a legislative regardless of how long they have been a Senator for example have no appeal to me. So far I am not impressed by any of the announced candidates although I feel that a Mayor or Governor has much more of the right kind of experience. While I'm at it people who hold political office should resign their position before running. It is only fair to the people who elected or appointed them to expect their full time and attention. Jerry A
Gerald Abrams at 11:19AM on Mar 4th 2007
101. It's so easy to tell the difference between a conservative and a liberal blogger. Conservatives site facts while liberals attack personally, suggest inproprieties and call names. Perhaps that's because they don't have and don't want to know the facts.
I think Fred Thompson could win in '08 for three reasons:
1. He's conservative and the majority of the country is conservative.
2. He's charismatic and has a better than average chance of getting out the vote in the Heartland.
3. He left Washington because he was discusted at how the political systems operates, and would likely try to change that in whatever way he can.
Bob at 9:04AM on Mar 5th 2007
102. What a refreshing idea. I certaily would vote for him!
Kenneth Gilstrap at 2:12PM on Mar 4th 2007
103. What has Fred Thompson appearing in Law and Order have to do with running the country, being a good president, or getting us out of Iraq? He may be imposing and nice, but that is not enough. After all, in the last election most of us voted for a change. Thompson would not represent a change to me.
Joanna at 11:32AM on Mar 4th 2007
104. Fred Thompson may be the only one in the entire presidential field that could unite this country while still keeping us a strong, respected world leader.
Sherri at 3:43PM on Mar 5th 2007
105. We need someone MORE conservative than Ronald Reagan. The country is going to hell in a handbasket and someone must step up to the plate. Americans will vote for anyone who stands for traditional values and will stop the bleeding at our border.
Romanmitz at 11:38AM on Mar 4th 2007