Posted on 03/09/2007 4:47:48 PM PST by Livin_large
One Hollywood actor, Ronald Reagan, served as president for eight years. So why not an actor who plays a district attorney on TV?
Fred Thompson, the character Arthur Branch on NBC's drama "Law & Order," is being urged to pursue the GOP nomination by several Tennessee Republicans who also have been trying to drum up support for a candidacy.
Former Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker has been talking to senators. Rep. Zach Wamp has been in touch with colleagues in the House.
"It's something I hope happens," Wamp said Friday. "We need that kind of star quality, but most importantly we need his strength and resolve."
Wamp said he asked Thompson to consider running immediately after former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, another Tennessee Republican, decided not to run for president late last year.
"I think he has an open mind, and he sees the need," Wamp said.
Thompson, 64, the minority counsel in the Watergate investigation, was elected to the Senate in 1994 to fill the unexpired term of Vice President Al Gore. He was chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee and left the Senate in 2003 to resume his acting career.
He took an active role in shepherding Chief Justice John Roberts through the Senate confirmation process in 2005.
Thompson recently raised money for the defense of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, who was found guilty of perjury and obstruction in the investigation into the 2003 leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity.
Thompson has acted in films such as "The Hunt for Red October," "Cape Fear," and "In the Line of Fire."
He has had no comment about a possible White House bid.
If he decided to run, Thompson would join a crowded GOP field led by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Sen. John McCain of Arizona. The number could grow when Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel makes an announcement on his future plans.
I hope so. Run Fred run!
He's better than the three stooges.
Interesting.
Bless my soul he sounds exactly like what Im looking for.
Thanks for that link..He sounds like one of us.
The possibility of Fred running is generating more excitement around here than anything I've seen in a long time.
Fred could soon be ahead. Run Fred, Run!
I like Hunter best but a Thompson/Hunter ticket would be more than acceptable to me.
I think he would quickly become the Giuliani alternative candidate. I think conservatives would rally around him as their candidate.
Change the word "quickly" to "instantly", and you've got a bull's-eye.
Love Freddy T...he's got that Grandfather feel that Reagan had for me when I was young. Thompson could well help to influence another generation of young minds in the school systems...not to mention he'd be an outstanding POTUS. His powerful and recognizable voice would lend credance to the message during this War.
He has my full support and I would campaign for and donate to him in a heartbeat.
When politics get real, the ruddibots run from the spot light like the rino's that most of them are!
I will watch with great interest to see what he says!
I'd like to see Thompson and Hunter on the same ticket.
Ditto that
Fred is a true conservative, a terrific speaker, and he appears to have great integrity.
I loved him as my senator when I lived in Tennessee and I think he stands a better shot than people unfamiliar with him might think.
This is big! The only candidate I have supported financially so far is Duncan Hunter. While I respect him greatly and would certainly vote for him I don't think he gets the traction nationally that Fred will.
If Fred wins the nomination i wonder if the dems will insist that none of the Law and Order episodes he is in be allowed aired.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.