Posted on 05/06/2007 1:24:23 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Actor And Former Senator Explains Why He Could Be President, But Won't Commit To Running.
Fred Thompson isn't officially in the race for the Republican nomination yet, but the former Tennessee Senator and "Law & Order" star is sounding a lot like a candidate.
"If I didn't think I could win in November I wouldn't think about it," Thomspon said in an interview with Scott Baker for Breitbart.tv.
Thompson said he "had some thoughts" about when he might officially jump into the crowded field of Republican candidates, but he said he wasn't "ready to talk about that too much."
But, if he commits to running for president, Thompson said he will not do it halfway.
"I'm not interested in winning a primary and losing in November," he said in the Breitbart.tv interview. "I'm not interested in being the tallest midget in the room."
When asked about the Republicans who would be his competitors, Thompson would not go on the attack.
"Some of them I know very well, some of them I don't know well at all," he told Baker. "So I'm not going to pass judgment on them at all."
The former Senator did offer an example of what he thought voters were looking for in a candidate and weren't finding in Washington. Thompson also said voters might find what they were looking for in him.
"I think people are looking for someone that talks straight to them and deliver the news to them whether it's good or bad," Thompson said. "That's what I hope I bring to bear when people think of me in that context."
On one issue, Thompson seems to be in lockstep with the other Republicans in the presidential field.
Like the 10 leading Republican contenders did in a televised debate on Thursday, Thompson has argued against leaving Iraq unless stability is restored. He noted that even when the U.S. leaves Iraq, the world still will be full of danger.
Thompson, speaking Friday night to the Lincoln Club of Orange County in California, sketched a broad agenda that hewed to Reaganesque themes — a strong military, a limited federal government and robust free markets.
Thompson also warned that people in the United States must be prepared to sacrifice in a world threatened by terrorism and hostile governments.
"Every generation has made sure that it did its part to make sure that it did endure, with the sacrifices they made. And now it's our turn," Thompson said.
More importantly, I don’t see anyone in the race who Chrissy Matthews would be afraid to smear in person.
Exactly, let’s call it the, uh, I dunno, “Zel Miller factor” just to give it a name...
Thompson is the only person running from either party who I think could get through an entire conversation without me saying “Give me a freakin break.”
I sure would like to know his details on that one. Sounds to me like he might be in favor of the draft or raising taxes. Believe it or not, conservative that I am, I would not be apposed to a separate military tax as long as it was used strictly for the military.
I believe it’s explained further in his speech:
http://abcradio.com/article.asp?id=402282&SPID=15663
I'd like to see that! I'm sure many would see a cut in gov waste as a sacrifice if you know what I mean?
As much as I love Fred, he’s starting to wear on my last nerve. Either poop or get off the pot.
I hope he runs. His speech at the Licoln Club was wonderful. But the longer he waits the more nervous I become.
My opinion on what he is talking about there is SS and entitlement reform.
I can't locate it. Perhaps Sturm Ruger can?
Thus far, I like everything about Fred
Thompson. I truly hope he runs.
Seven months until the First Primary, (it should be 12 months), He gets a free ride on ABC sounding presidential. I hope he stays a non-canditate. Rudy would be unknown without 9/11, McCain is known for his McCain-Finegold incumbent protection bill. I don’t know any of the other candidates. Fred is already a household word.
barbra ann
I started to post the same thing. He is getting millions in free publicity so why get in the race so early? I have talked with lots of people and everyone said they are already tired of politics and it is not even the year of the election. Just what will they feel like in 8 months?
I am a Romney supporter but I could very enthusiastically vote for Mr. Thompson in the general election if he were the nominee. That said, I’m getting really tired of this waiting game he’s playing. Crap or get of the pot, Fred! Geez!
I know what your talking about with Fred’s “delayed” entry program but you have to consider that we’re still a year and a half out from election day.
FT is holding a solid third place in most polls looking at the Republican derby and he hasn’t even announced that he’s running. The longer he stalls the more free press and interest he sucks out of the MSM.
His MO could backfire if he plays this too long, but he’s saving a ton of money that he could use later the way he going.
Fred bump!
If you'd like to be a FRedHead let me know.
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My original thoughts were Thompson would announce in May but now I'm leaning towards an august date.
It's going to be a long summer.
As I understand it, Federal law regarding equal time is prohibiting him from announcing his candidacy until after his L&A contract expires. This will be after the last show airs, later this month. He’ll also appear in an HBO special later this month, but it’s debatable whether the law is effective on that.
The problem is, should he announce, then the last episode of L&A may have to be pulled because of ‘equal time’ considerations.
We’re not talking a long time here, folks. Let’s take a breath, sit back, and enjoy the FDT show. Rome wasn’t built in a day. And patience is still a virtue. I think he’s thought this whole thing through, knows exactly what he’s doing. And knows when the time is right.
And I’m done. I’m all out of metaphors.
How about this one: To everything there is a season.
I heard June
I've also heard September, May, April and October. ;-D
At this juncture (If I was Fred) I'd be waiting for the inevitable narrowing of the field.
Everyone should remember that it was Hillary’s plan not to declare until summer, but that was changed by Obama’s sucking up of the Hollywood Cash Cow.
Fred’s got PLENTY of time, and in the last 20 days, this will be the 20th day with a “Why hasn’t Fred Declared yet?” article...
I just finished watching Fred Thompson’s speech from Friday night - at the Lincoln Club - Newport Beach.
INCREDIBLE
This is one of those very very rare individuals.
An American (in the purest sense) who is willing to enter politics.
No one I have seen compares to Fred Thompson - save one political hero - who has passed.
Fred Thompson is a rare breed.
He is smart to hold off. The MSM desparately wants to start beating up on him, but by doing so before he announces they expose their true anti-conservative agenda to those who are not yet clued in to it.
Add to that the fact that his income will be truncated by loss of work and residuals, a family concern.
I'll miss him (his character) on L & O.
This is ridiculously early. At this rate as soon as November 08 is over we’ll all start clamoring for the announcements for the next election.
I’m thinking that Breitbart.tv type interviews that Fred did could be a venue to shorten the time needed to get the candidate’s ideas out. It could also decrease the money needed to run...(Soros, among other big spenders, would cry). It just seems crazy that so far out anyone would be getting tired of waiting for him to announce.
Not going to happen.
He's believes in "Supply Side Economics". You get increases in tax revenue by growing/stimulating the economy thru tax rate cuts.
Once derided by daddy Bush as "voodoo economics".
He's the only Statesman in the race, the rest are crass politicians.
A rare breed indeed.
I agree - I am stunned at the presence of Fred Thompson.
Did you see his full speech at the Lincoln Club?
WOW - just WOW
He's talking about entitlements.
I got one for you.
I did not go, and this is second hand, so take it as such from my friend who was their.
Rush came into greater Metro Detroit to Celebrate WJR's 85th Anniversary on being on the Air. They had a dinner/speech to a crowd of around 2000. in Livonia, I believe.
I am told Rush started to talk about the candidates and said it was to early for him to say, but he said something to the effect I want to test your reaction to one name. He said Fred Thompson and then stood back from the podium as the crowd went nuts longer than any other time he got them riled up that evening.
Something is going on here....
I sure did. Watched live on C-Span Friday night.
I've listened to Rush for about 15 years or so. And I think I know where he's coming from. He will support Thompson. Of this I am 99% sure.
he is not in favor of raising taxes... and nothing indicates that he favors a draft... how about Americans just "persevering," "enduring?" so many Americans do their namby-pamby crying about the war... as though it was only supposed to last three months... every time somebody dies in the war, the number is counted... it's a war! people die in war... i'm not saying that you're a namby-pamby crier... i'm saying, maybe the sacrifice he's talking about is perseverance to see this war through, even at the expense of lost lives for those who serve in the military...
As long as Dukakis is around, Fred, you won't have to worry about that.
well said... you would think that people would get it by now... but they don't, and they won't... you'll still hear them crying, "why doesn't he get into the race?"
That's a great line!
This is true. The audio and transcript are available to Rush 24/7 subscribers and that is part of it.
Fred’s got to be sure there is a pot under him before he commits.
I thought so, but he said he isn’t excited by any of them, which surprised me.
he has, what four major speechs in the next month?
In his interview, Thompson says something like the man must fit the times. If, by chance, Lincoln had been elected president in 1856, he might havce been no more successful than Buchanan.
Well, the first primary is over seven months away. I don’t blame Fred for holding his cards. Political campaigns in the U.S. last way too long.
Good one! Thanks.
If I’m sure of anything, FDT is his own man. So was Reagan. And before everyone jumps on my case for making this statement, I’m not comparing the two individuals; I’m simply observing that they are two people who knew/know themselves, and act accordingly. That’s it.
Fred knows himself, knows his situation, knows what the costs/rewards are. And listening to him deliver a speech, interview or radio address on a given subject (he reportedly writes most himself), I know he is a very well-versed individual. And I believe he is well versed/very knowledgeable about political campaigns; or he has assembled a pretty good team to assist him.
Fred has already said he doesn’t get into campaigns lightly, without being prepared for the long haul. That’s on record. I believe it is this advance preparation, this coming to an understanding of what’s in store, that has caused what we see as dragging-his-feet. I also believe that wait is almost over.
Beyond those beliefs, I don’t know a thing,except: All this second guessing is a waste of time :)
and people are still--on other threads--fretting as to why Fred doesn't get in the race... i just keep pointing them to the interview on breitbart.tv... one cannot watch that and tell me that he's not running... have you seen it?
Romney would make a great VP.
Either way would be fine with me.
A new FredHead is born. :)
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