Fred Thompson Considering Entering the Presidential Race

[babylonsister]

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/5990

Fred Thompson Considering Entering the Presidential Race
by Cenk Uygur

I talked with Fred Thompson at a party for ABC Radio in Los Angeles Friday night. I introduced myself as the host of The Young Turks on Air America Radio. Even though I made it clear in the beginning of the conversation that I might not come from the same side of the political spectrum as he does these days, he was very receptive and candid in our conversation.

When I asked him about a movement to draft him into the presidential race, I got a surprising answer. He said he was open to it.

I was sure that I would get the standard non-denial denial. But instead of dismissing the rumors, Thompson said he was considering it. I was surprised at how open he was to the idea. I was also surprised that he didn't bother with the usual pretences of not being interested. The former senator from Tennessee was quite frank about contemplating the possibility of running.

I asked him if he knew who was behind the movement to draft him into the race. He said it was a "pretty broad" sentiment. Then we discussed why he left the Senate.

Thompson reiterated his usual line about leaving Washington and going back to Hollywood to get away from the fakes and phonies. He said the real reason he left was because it was hard to be "a conscientious person" and stay in politics. Too little was accomplished, the real problems of the country were hardly ever addressed and everyone looked out for themselves.

He made a point of talking about pork barreling spending and the budget. Thompson said that Republicans "lost the advantage" in budgetary issues because they also over spent and did not do anything to get the budget under control. He said, "We went to drain the swamp and became the alligators."

more...

[marmar]

1. As if watching his globe-sized head on Law and Order isn't painful enough....

:puke:

[acmavm]

2. Well, it's now official. The office of the pResident is not open to any old

hack with some kind of delusional superiority complex.

[madame defarge]

3. Oh great...another one "acting" as president...

We need leadership qualities in a president, not acting qualities.

[SharonAnn]

21. He's not much of an actor.

[bluedog]

4. actor...whats he have one page to remember?

hes terrible....and completely useless on the show..........

[longship]

5. Not really useless.

He just plays Senator Fred Thompson, like he does in every other role he plays. The only difference is that he changes his character's name in each program or movie he acts in.

[mcscajun]

6. He's never been quite able to make up his mind about what career to pursue

Thompson can be seen on the archival footage of the Watergate Hearings in Oliver Stone's JFK (1991). He was one of the active lawyers on the Watergate commitee during the trial.

Worked as a shoe salesman, truck driver, and even a factory worker prior to becoming a lawyer.

When he joined the cast of "Law & Order" (1990) in the fall of 2002, Thompson (District Attorney Arthur Branch) became the first serving U.S. Senator to take a regular TV acting job. His term did not end until January 2003.

Helped introduce President George W. Bush at the Republican National Convention (2004) in New York.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000669/bio

His wife's position is rather interesting for a spouse with Presidential ambitions:
2nd wife Jeri, 35, is a political media consultant at Verner Liipfert law firm in Washington, who once worked for Senate Republican Conference and Republican National Committee.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000669/bio

[BlueManDude]

7. Second wife - he's a contendah!!

[longship]

8. Thompson's Watergate history.

Fred Thompson is assured a place in history that goes beyond his acting and his Senatorial duties. He was counsel during the Senate Watergate hearings. It was Thompson who asked the question of White House aide Alexander Butterfield of whether there was a taping system in the Oval Office. Butterfield had already decided that he would equivocate in any such answer unless the question directly addressed. Thompson hit a home run. Butterfield had no wiggle room and the rest is history.

[TwilightGardener]

9. They are now digging up ex-senators who

are famous for being on the teevee--they are desperate. And I heard he couldn't keep it in his pants either. Saw a picture of his trophy wife--looks like his daughter. Sick.

[dogman]

10. Makes sense, since they don't have a valid candidate.

They can get one to play President, it worked with Reagan.

[NDP]

11. Thank you, Jim Webb!!! These moves just prove that George Allen would have easily

won the GOP nomination, because they have no one else at this point.

I always assumed that their ticket for 2008 would be Hagel/Allen, and it still might be.

[gulliver]

12. He'll never get the part.

His resume is all character acting (including a stint acting in the Senate). No one would cast him as a president. His head shot alone dooms him to supporting roles. He's a throwback. Rumpled, curmudgeonly...those types don't get to be president.

[TwilightGardener]

13. He's too damn ugly too look at for 4 years--I don't watch L&O,

but what's weird is he reminds me of Kelsey Grammer from "Frasier". And Chuck Hagel reminds me of Marty Crane (Frasier's Dad). Is that just me?

[gulliver]

14. It's not just you.

I see what you mean in both of your "separated at birth" examples.

[Frogger]

15. Just what we need.

Another actor for President. Whoopee!:sarcasm:

[seasat]

16. How will he explain his association with liberal DA Jack McKoy?

I bet his campaign theme song will be the Dong-Dooong. ;)

[bluedog]

17. member of ............ Political Movement, Unity08

Waterston urges Americans to seize rare opportunity to change politics forever

New York, NY … December 5, 2006 … Today, Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning actor Sam Waterston called on Americans to embrace Unity08 (www.unity08.com) and seize the chance to make history by electing a bipartisan ticket to the White House. He serves on the Unity08 founders council and will be an official spokesperson.

"You may have seen me on TV, but you've never seen me speak out like this before," said the star of the long-running NBC television series Law & Order in a video posted on www.unity08.com. "I have volunteered to speak out for a brand new movement called Unity08. It is our chance to pick the next president directly. And we must start preparing right now."

He explains that the recent congressional elections served to raise Americans' expectations, even to reenergize many. But he urges Americans not to forget the ads, the attacks, the money and strings attached to it, and the avoidance of crucial issues. "Despite the elections, lobbyist corruption and bitter partisanship remain the reality in Washington – proof positive that the system is broken, and that a third force in the middle is essential to fix it," he said.


http://www.unity08.com/news/pr_120506

[seasat]

18. That brings up a point, why Thompson will never get GOP nod.

One of the major reasons John McCain is having trouble getting support is his campaign finance reform push. A lot of grass roots Repugs hated it. They equate money with free speech (Funny they don't equate actual speech with free speech). They realize it limited some of the corporate bucks that Repugs could use. Fred Thompson actually wanted to go further than McCain. While in the Senate, he proposed banning all Political Action Committees. I can see Thompson running under something like this Unity08 group. I can't see Repugs supporting him once it comes out that he is more radical on campaign finance reform than McCain.

[TwilightGardener]

20. Aw, c'mon--you know and I know that if the 'Pugs decide

someone's a winner, all is forgiven--UNLESS you happen to be against the war, THAT'S unforgivable!

[stonebone]

19. The pukes are desperate. They're scrounging for anybody they can get. Absolutely pathetic.