The one man that both Republican candidates and all Democrats don't want to see enter the race is contemplating just that:
Former Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker (R-Tenn.) is contacting powerbrokers in the Republican Party to build support for a 2008 presidential campaign by his one-time protégé, former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.).
...Thompson has told allies in recent days that he is exploring seriously a bid for president in 2008 in response to what he has described as strong encouragement from Republicans dissatisfied with the current slate of candidates.
Note that his one drawback is running against his friend John McCain. With McCain sinking farther every day, Thompson may just jump in.
I've written before (as has Nix) about what a good candidate and president Thompson would make. He's got high face if not name recognition, he is a staunch conservative in the Ronald Reagan mode and has a ton of political experience and a great many allies on both sides of the aisle.
Besides the McCain thing, I imagine not playing the D.A. on "Law and Order" every week would be one bad point. I'm sure he'd get over it quickly. Another actor who ran for the presidency in 1980 sure did, and he ended up changing the course of world events for the better.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 8)
16. Finally, you can hear the drumbeat... Fred Dalton Thompson for President! I've been supporting this candidacy for months and now it seems the rest of America is onboard. Fred is the one candidate who could draw support from both parties and unify this country in our hour of need. This is the man who can bring respect and legitimacy back to the American agenda of FREEDOM for mankind. We need a pragmatist with the stamina and resolve to conduct the business of America. We need Fred Thompson.
Do you hear the country calling, Fred? We're begging...RUN, FRED, RUN!
Don Naylor at 6:02PM on Mar 10th 2007
17. Fred Thompson is brillant and should be the standard bearer for the Republican Party in the 2008 Presidential Elections. Reagan(?)......... No, Fred Thompson is his own man & Reagan would support that along with the fact that Fred Thompson is head and shoulders above the entire field on both sides of the isle.
Dan R. Friesland at 6:46PM on Mar 10th 2007
18. Finally a potential candidate appears on the horizon - Fred Thompson - a true man of integrity, lacking in the normal, run of the mill
vidicitive, hate mongering in our current society of omniscient law makers who refuse to listen to anyone who voices opinions which differs from their own. Perhaps we have a chance for a new beginning. We can only hope!
Robert Carl at 7:22PM on Mar 10th 2007
19. joe m wrote: "Where do I sign up...??"
http://draftfredthompson.com/index.php?board=8.0
Sturm Ruger at 7:51PM on Mar 10th 2007
20. I stated a few months ago that I wished that Fred Thompson would run for President. He will have my backing 110%. RUN FRED RUN please
Claude Kelley at 9:36PM on Mar 10th 2007
21. Hmmm. What a novel concept. A real Republican finally running on the Republican ticket instead of these quasi liberal RINO's currently looking for the job. With a real conservative running it looks like Shrillary Klinton will lose, and we will have a real president. That hasn't happened since the Reagan years.
Go ahead Fred, run and give us true conservatives some hope, as I sure don't see anyone else in the Republican party worth voting for
slasher at 9:31PM on Mar 10th 2007
22. Fred will win. Hope he will run.
LW at 11:13PM on Mar 10th 2007
23. I TOO NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT FRED. HOWEVER IF HE IS THE TYPE OF PERSON OR REPUBLICAN WHO DOES NOT KEEP TURING ANOTHER CHEEK CONSTANTLY AND TELLS IT LIKE IT IS, I AM THEREFORE FORE HIM. I AM SICK OF THE SISSY REPUBLICANS WHO ARE AFRAID OF DUMBOCRATS.
GARY at 12:05PM on Mar 12th 2007
24. I would love to see Fred Thompson run for president. He is a breath of fresh air from the stale choices that the GOP currently offers. I think he is very presidential as well as a man of principle.
Carrie Quesada at 7:59PM on Mar 11th 2007
25. Fred Thompson, our next President. The Dems have no chance if he runs. I'm very happy!
Eric Elrod at 9:35PM on Mar 11th 2007
26. Fred Thompson is the best person to carry on the Reagan legacy. If he gets in he will bring back the Reagan Democrats, unify the party, and more importantly bring back the presidential in presidency...something we have missed since Bush Sr or even Reagan.
Randy at 9:46PM on Mar 11th 2007
27. I would love to see Fred Thompsom run for predident.
JO at 10:29AM on Mar 12th 2007
28. I think it would be great to have someone run on the Republican side who is a clear thinker and has some backbone. I would vote for Thompson in a heartbeat. He's a decent, intellignet guy who in my opinion has the guts and character to be prdsidnet of the greatest country in the world. It's about time we get a candidate who is not one of those namby, pamby wishy-washy guys who blows whichever way the wind is blowing at that time. Go Fred go.
D Theurer at 10:43AM on Mar 12th 2007
29. Mr. Thompson may be our only option at some new ideas, direction and positive face on America. I think this country and the world are tired of America's "politics as usual." Let's face it, the "actors" we've had for the past 16-20 years are not that good.
Jacqueline Little at 11:33AM on Mar 12th 2007
30. AND IF HE PICKED DENNIS MILLER AS A RUNNING MATE, I JUST DON'T THINK IT COULD GET ANY BETTER.
PETE VIOLETTE at 11:58AM on Mar 12th 2007