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 7 of 8)
91. Let's settle this once and for all ---
Fred Thompson vs. Warren Beatty ---
high noon / election day
John at 10:03PM on Mar 14th 2007
92. Perhaps all most of you know about Fred Thompson is from his so-called acting on TV. He was an integral part of the Joseph McCarthy hearings. If is past behavior is any indication of his present thinking (and it seems to be) then you would vote for another George Bush and an extention of most of his policies. Study the candidate, never mind the spins, and the vote.
flora goldman at 10:59PM on Mar 14th 2007
93. I think Fred hears the voice of the people calling-- I think he knows he is being called to run, it's just a matter of time before he announces it. It's your destiny Fred. America needs you.
Tom J at 12:43AM on May 7th 2007
94. Fred Thompson is what is missing in this years group of nominees on both sides... He is a staunch conseervative and does not change his stand with every new poll. He was a great, well respected senator from Tennessee who kept his promises and represented the people who elected him well. We need someone we can respect in the White House, and Fred Thompson is just the man.
Rich at 11:41PM on Mar 14th 2007
95. Please run! Don't tease us. America, no, the world needs his style of leadership.
Mark Andrews at 9:52AM on Mar 15th 2007
96. MY HUSBAND AND I VOTED ONE TIME IN THE 40 YRS WEVE BEEN MARRIED AND WE VOTED FOR REAGAN. IF FRED THOMPSON RUNS WELL VOTE FOR HIM.
HELEN W at 10:24AM on Mar 15th 2007
97. YES I hope Fred Thomson RUNS. I've been hoping for a while now!!! He would unite the conservative movement and may draw in some Regan democrats.
Susan Goeller at 12:26PM on Mar 15th 2007
98. I'm a conservative Democrat and I would love to see Fred Thompson as President. I haven't been excited about anyone for President since Reagan and am tired of voting for the lesser of the evils. I know there is a God and if he loves this country and if it will survive Fred Thompson is needed. Please run, if you do, all I can say is: "Congradulations Mr. President". I believe the "silent majority" that is busy working for a living, is informed, and will get out & vote.
Al Troyan at 2:11PM on Apr 8th 2007
99. Wouldn't Fred Thompson as President be ironic? Al Gore resigned as Senator of Tenn to run with Pres Clinton. Fred stepped in and finished the term, soundly trouncing his opponents until leaving the Senate. Thanks for giving him the chance Mr Gore. Fred will do a much better job as President and Al will once again be counting clouds.
Doug Hayes at 3:13PM on Mar 15th 2007
100. For those unfamiliar with Thompson's career, he started out as an assistant U.S. attorney back in Tennessee. He managed the re-election campaign of Sen. Howard Baker, and served as the minority counsel during the Senate Watergate Committee hearings. Baker's question "What did the President know, and when did he know it?" was framed by Thompson. It was Thompson's own questioning which revealed the existence of a recording system in the Oval Office.
After the Watergate affair, he went back to Tennessee and conducted an investigation which ultimately forced a corrupt governor out of office. A book was written and a movie made about the case, and Thompson's showbusiness career began when he was asked to play himself in the movie.
Thompson was elected twice to the U.S. Senate, each time by a crushing landslide and each time setting a record for the most votes ever for a statewide candidate in Tennessee. He was originally chosen to fill the final two years of Al Gore's term when the latter was elected Vice President. While a senator, he served first as chair and then as ranking Republican member of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, and conducted the Senate's investigation of the "Chinagate" scandal during the Clinton Administration (wherein the Chinese government was discovered to have contributed to Democratic candidates for Congress and perhaps the presidency).
Thompson is pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, favors a tough but balanced approach on immigration, and has come straight out and said that he would pardon Scooter Libby right now if he were president.
In my opinion, he'd clean the floor with Clinton, Obama, Edwards, or any other potential Democratic candidate in the debates. He's been far and away the Republican's best national spokesman ever since the Florida mess back in 2000.
Bob Waters at 5:39PM on Mar 15th 2007
101. We need someone to follow in the George Bush style of governing. Someone with his own interpretation of the Constitution and the BIBLE. Both George Bush and Fred Thompson could have risen far beyond the presidency!
rod at 7:19PM on Mar 15th 2007
102. Sorry, I didn't realize that comments were only for pro's only!
Rod at 7:25PM on Mar 15th 2007
103. Does anyone remember the McCarthy era. Well, your good friend Fred Thompson was on that committee and supported Tail-Gate Joe right down the line. If you want a continuation of Bush and the present administration, vote for Fred. Nothing I have read or seen, seems to have changed his ideas. Study all the candidates, beyond sound bites and spin, and then vote. Know what your candidate stands for on all the issues important to you
flora goldman at 9:26PM on Mar 15th 2007
104. How could Thompson have been on the McCarthy committee? He would've been 11-years old.
Typical lib, don't let facts stand in the way of a good smear.
Scott at 9:45PM on Mar 15th 2007
105. HEY...FREDDY... YOUR LEATHERY FACE ,YOUR DEEP VOICE,YOUR WRINKLED FORE-HEAD, YOUR SLANTED LOOK,
THE WAY YOU SPEAK SIDE WAYS OUT OF YOUR MOUTH,
AND MOST OF ALL THAT RED TRUCK...doesn't impress
meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
I EVEN DON'T LIKE THE WAY YOU ACT...........
GIVE YOUR MONEY TO A BETTER CAUSE ..THAN HELP
YOUR BUDDY LIBBY....HEY BIG BOY...HE WAS CONVICTED BY A JURY OF HIS PEERS....ARE YOU REALLY THAT HALF ASS OF AN ATTORNEY....I THINK YOU ARE....
HAVE A HAPPY DAY.....YOU NEED MORE ACTING LESSONS
peter p panella jr at 8:19AM on Mar 17th 2007