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 8 of 8)
106. The Senator from Tennessee is the "real deal" and he has the "right stuff"! The bandwagon is passing by. Calling all Conservatives: Jump on and encourage the Senator to run! He will be elected!
sarah sawyer at 4:08PM on Mar 17th 2007
107. I believe that Mr. Thompson would make an excellent President should he decide to run for it.He has conservative beliefs that will sit well with the majority of Americans and has proven he has the humility necessary for service to his fellow Americans. He stepped down from the Senate when he could have easily won re-election. This is a man who would make us all proud being Americans.
Jim Herbst at 5:49PM on Mar 17th 2007
108. A terrible actor who would like to set this country back another 100 years
A real jerk.
J ragin at 1:05AM on Mar 18th 2007
109. Our country needs Conservative Leadership. The current Republican candidates are inadequate.
McCain is praised by the Liberal Press as a Maverick and although he contiues to play to the Press, he seems not to realize that they will turn on him like a mad dog if he wins the nomination. McCain is ill tempered, favors amnesty, suports bad law, ie., McCain Feingold, and is no conservative.
Rudy did a good job as New York City Mayor but is too Liberal on social issues and border control. He is inconsistant in his positions on other issues and believes that the Government should subsidize abortions for those who cannot afford one. 45 million abortions since Roe v Wade is more than enough.
Mitt is young, articulate, handsome, wealthy and very smooth but his positions have adjusted more to winning elections than reflecting his true beliefs. It is also difficult to get straight answers from him regarding border control. We do not need charm. We need a straight forward, honest Conservative Leader.
Fred Thompson is a solid, common sense man with consistently Conservative views. If he enters the race, many Replican Lawmakers will develop stiffer backbones and Mrs. Clinton will have real problems. I hope he runs!
John Calhoun at 11:51AM on Mar 18th 2007
110. The surge in naionalism against hispanics disgraces our people andundermindsou ethics, reminding one o Fascist Europe. I fully support ending illegal immigration and sponsoring improvement in their own nations such that they should not need to imigate. But only hypocrit will deny people fleeing poverty, persecution, and war when the majority of this nation is descended of no other kind of person. Further, those found here were made subject to poverty, persecution, and war. Further, how many of those coming "illegally" to this land were descended of those Citizens (hispanics that could not even spak Spanish because they were citizens) we immorally banished to make more jobs available for whites. Securing ur borders against terrorists, drug cartels, and traffickers in huan slavery does not require the racist appearance the statements made by most of its supporters give it. I have a foster brother who is Hispanic. He has been a hardworking and faithful son to my father. He is not a drunk, opposes drug use, pays taxes and is supportive and giving to those in need. It has taken over two decades for him to get through the red tape sufficiently to be allowed to test for naturalization. He is now a citizen. Those who scream for deportation would have attacked and destroyed my famiy. While I see Fred Thompson as a man morally willing to explore and enact all ethical measures for defending our borders, I do not see him as intentionally inhumane or willing to commt agregiou harm to those who are proud to live in and work for the United States of America.
jaqaliah at 10:46AM on Mar 25th 2007
111. I have prayed Sen. Thompson would run for years. He is a leader, not a follower and wouldn't be beholden to special interests, except those of the good citizens of the United States. He has the intellengence and courage we need in these times.
Please run Sen. Thompson.
CarolynJ
CarolynJ at 2:25PM on Mar 25th 2007
112. Your country needs you Sen. Thompson.
None of our Republican candidates are as qualified as you are for this time in our history. You have the experience, intellegence, and "shoot from the hip" courage we need and I admire.
If anyone out there reads this, please consider Sen. Thompson for our next President and support him any way you can.
CarolynJ at 2:34PM on Mar 25th 2007
113. For those misinformed few here, Fred Thompson had nothing to do with much maligned Senator Joe McCarthy. Mr. Thompson is 64 years old. Do the math.
Fred Thompson was the minority counsel in the Watergate proceedings and conducted himself with honor and integrity. He was an actor then a senator who was widely regarded on both sides of the aisle as a man of honor. No small thing on the Hill.
And throwing darts at his acting career, which so many have enjoyed, is a sad attempt to discredit him and exposes your fear of his candidacy. One more thing that convinces me he's the man to win it.
Margaret at 7:00PM on Mar 26th 2007
114. Politics are kiling our country, you can't run a business the way washington runs our country. To be succesful in any endevour, you have to make hard choices, you have to forget about ratings, you have to have integrity, you have to be a servent of the people and the country.
I fully support Fred Thompson, I believe he would stop illegal alians, stop the politics, and expose the many polititions who are so self serving they have no idea what real people want for our country, they are totaly out of touch with the public. It is truly time to point our counry in another direction. Our leadership should be focused on our country, our citizens, our souvrenty.
I will do whatever it takes to help Thompson get elected.
Steve
Steve at 4:10PM on Mar 27th 2007
115. I'm ready for Fred Thompson, I'm tired of politics! To run a succesfull business, you have to make hard choices, that's something that is lacking in Washington.
Steve at 4:03PM on Mar 27th 2007
116. I'm totally behind Fred Thompson. The alternative is really to scarry to contemplate. With the wanna-bs out their for president what choice do we have. Its Thompson.
JACK LEMBERG at 2:05PM on Mar 27th 2007
117. For all you folks who are interested in Fred Thompson (I sure am)...A lot more info on him and how you might be able to help at the following site...I encourage you to take a hard look at Sen. Thompson, I think you will like what you see!!
http://draftfredthompson.com/index.php
Don M at 7:30PM on Mar 27th 2007
118. Everybody drop by www.draftfredthompson.com
All free information about Fred, all the latest news and how you can help out if you'ld like
www.draftfredthompson.com
Chris at 1:27AM on Mar 31st 2007
119. Fred Thompson is the only truly independant Republican candidate.
All the others are whores for someone, Guiliani for Wall Street (FORBES) Newt Gingrich and John McCain for the RightWingNutt "Christians" (FALLWELL, DOBSON) Romney for the upeastern Liberal Wine & Cheese CountryClub racist Repub;ican gentry typified by the Rckefellar andBush family dynasties.
J J TERRY at 4:39PM on Mar 31st 2007