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 6 of 8)
76. I WILL SUPPORT FRED WITH TIME AND MONEY TO GET HIS CAMPAIGN OFF THE GROUND.
JIM DITTMAR at 6:38PM on Mar 12th 2007
77. if fred thinks the same as bush he better stay on law & order i like him there
blaise papa at 5:41PM on Mar 12th 2007
78. if fred thinks the same as bush he better stay on law & order i like him there
blaise papa at 5:41PM on Mar 12th 2007
79. I think Fred would be great as much as I know about him. I would like know his stand on iilegal aliens. I hope it is not like Mc Cain's.
Paul Kistler at 6:51PM on Mar 12th 2007
80. The republican and democratic party need someone with experience and steadiness of character. Hill. is an intelligent idiot, being an awesome speaker doesn't mean Obama will be a good prez. Although I am republican they have no one that interests me, no one that comes close to Thompson. Please Run - Now!
Kym at 6:40PM on Mar 12th 2007
81. Fred Thompson is a fromer senator, has tons of experience. is honest and has no skeletons in his closet. He is the answer to Hillary and Obama. McCain is fading.
Frank at 10:18PM on Mar 12th 2007
82. RUN---FRED----RUN -- COUNT ON ME FOR A VOTE AND ALL THE HELP I CAN GIVE YOU PIECE OF CAKE FRED.
arthur allen at 11:35PM on Mar 12th 2007
83. run---fred===run. you got my help and vote
arthur allen at 11:33PM on Mar 12th 2007
84. Fred would surely get our vote. He is head and shoulders above EVERYONE else that is running. Thank God someone with honesty, integrity and a functioning brain is deciding to run. It's a relief. I'm overjoyed at that possibility.
Charlie at 12:12AM on Mar 13th 2007
85. I wonder where those who don't know his views have been? Watching Sex in the City no doubt. He says what he means and means what he says with no apologies. I like that. Also he is a conservative and I really like that. A man of integrity. Does anyone know what that is any more?
tootsie at 10:06AM on Mar 13th 2007
86. I thought Thompson was one of the best Senators we ever had in Tennessee. He's a no BS kind of guy that seems to be pretty balanced in his views...or at least he was as a Senator. With the current Democrat & Republican choices ranging from "bad" to "horrible", I think most of us are ready for a fresh change. I will certainly campaign for...and vote for...Fred Thompson.
Monty at 11:36AM on Mar 14th 2007
87. Mr. Thompson is too honest to win. Giuliani is too
sneaky to win. Sen. McCain is too flip-floppy to
win. But what the hell, look what we have in the
White House now!!!!
mdembree at 12:58PM on Mar 14th 2007
88. Sure hope folks are but jesting in saying they WOULD vote for Thompson and "think" he would be a breath of fresh air and be statesmanlike..Like , get a reality check and let him collect his $$$ fro his TV acting role.(so curious, from same folks who bemoan the likes of "hollywood" but are so impressed with actors. The GOP is proving itself TOTALLY INCOMPETENT FOR SURE, if this yet another one they wish to see a possible !! Surely there are better prospects that could be enticed to step forward. The GOP field is even worse than the Dems at this point and that is not even taking in the Bush connectiveness ANY GOP candidate needs to get distanced from for good reasons becoming all the more obvious with all the revelations of just how truly incompetent and truly woeful the Bush Brigade has been with all their innate bumbles, bungles and blunderings!!!
Bozly at 3:21PM on Mar 15th 2007
89. Let's settle this once and for all ----
Fred Thompson vs. Warren Beatty
High noon --- election day
John at 9:56PM on Mar 14th 2007
90. Thompson is by far the best candidate the party can put forth for the 2008 election. He has gravitas, intelligence and courage. The rest of the candidates running under the GOP banner have major flaws and would have a difficult time defeating the mediocre democrats running.
Robert Huber at 3:58PM on Mar 15th 2007