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 doubt he'd be able to mount much of a candidacy but I will say that I love watching him on Law and Order! His character is the anti-Nifong.
I still like Hunter better but Thompson has the all important name recognition they keep telling us about. A Thompson/Hunter ticket would certainly give Hunter the name recognition for the future.
I do like Thompson better than any of the front runners out there now.
My thoughts exactly!
More to come? I hope so. Rudolph Neut McRomney is a waste for conservatives.
Fred Thompson ping.
My husband was hoping he would run.
A possibility.
He has no real liabilities on the social issues except for a late life divorce. I think he is in his middle sixties so he is at least four years younger than McCain.
We could do worse but I do not think any better. He has had a life before and after the Senate so he is exceptional in that respect.
It would also be a great geographical balance: Tennessee/California
I am trying not to get my hopes up. Don't want to be too disappointed....
Does anybody remember Fred Thompson's first acting job? It was a TV movie called "Marie:A True Story" about a young woman who exposed corruption in the Tennessee Governor's office with the help of a lawyer named Fred Thompson. The lawyer was played by Fred Thompson.
Think again. He was a formidable Senator, who left politics of his own accord. He would mop the floor with any Rat in the race today.
Considering the current list of republican candidates … Fred would be an improvement.
Sissy Spacek, right? I think it was a true story about Tennessee corruption.
"This will get out of control..this will get out of control and we'll be lucky to live through it."
I have nothing to add, but my favorite Fred Thompson movie quote, from The Hunt for Red October.
How is he on the 2nd amendment? Is it just for hunting to him, or does he see it like we do?
That's the one. Marie and Mr. Thompson cleaned the rats out of the state government.
He'll be trouncing the current frontrunners in a matter of weeks.
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.