Thompson Could Fill the Missing Slot

realclearpolitics.com ^ | March 19, 2007 | Peter Brown

[neverdem]

In most presidential campaigns, after the party nominations are settled, voters experience buyer's remorse: a sense that other candidates might have been a better choice.

What's fascinating about the 2008 Republican race is the widespread buyer's remorse a year before the primaries, almost a conventional wisdom that there must be a better choice for conservatives who dominate the GOP nomination process.

Largely because of that belief, a quiet effort has been underway to convince Fred Thompson, the former movie actor, turned U.S. senator, turned back into television star, to run.

Thompson, who was also a Watergate prosecutor, had previously discouraged suggestions he run. But he is now considering the race, amid indications his conservative record combined with a blue-collar, pickup-truck appeal, to independents and moderate Democrats might make him the right guy at the right time.

If he runs -- at least on paper -- Thompson has the potential to win the Republican nomination and the White House, unlike the other non-front-runners, who for one reason or another appear unlikely to make the cut as presidential material.

He could run as a common sense Washington outsider with Ronald Reagan-class communications skills, Thompson's name recognition is still limited, but his celebrity means his face recognition is unusually high and very favorable.

"He'd have instant credibility within the party and would be a very formidable candidate against any Democrat in November," said former U.S. Sen. and Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, who is neutral in the nomination fight. "He has a very solid conservative record, but like Reagan, he has been able to charm many who may not agree with him on every issue."

Bob Beckel, who managed 1984 Democratic nominee Walter Mondale's campaign, called Thompson potentially a Democratic electoral nightmare because...

[monkapotamus]

[STARWISE]

Fred ~~!

snippet:

"Thompson's candidacy is intriguing to some because of his potential to appeal to independents and moderate Democrats, like McCain and Giuliani. But unlike they, his background and charisma could fire up the GOP base, which is searching for a champion. He'll get to audition for them in the coming weeks when he fills in for ABC Radio's Paul Harvey, whose show is a staple for conservatives.

Perhaps the largest stumbling block to a Thompson candidacy might be his close friendship with McCain, whose candidacy he backed strongly in 2000 against George W. Bush in the GOP primaries.

In the year before an election presidential politics resembles Wall Street's options market in which investors gauge a stock's future worth. There may be a lot of Republicans thinking about buying options on Fred Thompson."


Check the latest polls


http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/us/republican_presidential_nomination-192.html#polls

[marron]

What exactly is the attraction of a Thompson candidacy? What does he stand for?

[neverdem]

What exactly is the attraction of a Thompson candidacy? What does he stand for?

He's conservative. He doesn't alienate the conservative base of the GOP, like Giuliani or McCain, or cause the to have doubts his sincerity, like Romney. He also seems to be fairly well known, unlike the rest of the second tier, GOP candidates.

[marron]

Didn't mean that to sound as snarky as it probably sounded.

But Thompson is pretty much a blank slate. He needs to get out front and fill in the blanks. I know what most of the others stand for, for good or ill. I really don't know much about him, although maybe thats my own failing, I just haven't followed him in the news much.

[HankReardon]

I always liked Fred Thompson. I would want to listen to him explain why he voted in the Senate not to convict Bill Clinton during the impeachment. That's what I remember about him the most.

[backhoe]

...Thompson is pretty much a blank slate. He needs to get out front and fill in the blanks. I know what most of the others stand for, for good or ill. I really don't know much about him, although maybe thats my own failing, I just haven't followed him in the news much.

Here's what I have gathered- cut & paste, not complete, but an outline:

XXX  wrote: "I know nothing of Fred Thompson. Is he the real deal?"

Read "The Real Deal" by the American Spectator's Washington Prowler:

http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=11131  ...referring to Thompson's appearance on Fox News Sunday

 

I was concerned about his CFR support. He had an interview last week where he was asked about that, and he admitted that it wasn't working the way he expected, and while he wouldn't commit, he said he wondered if it wasn't time to scrap CFR altogether, and switch to a plan that lets you do anything so long as you disclose immediately.

The information is here: Thompson Indicates a move away from the BCRA

Fred's been a conservative all of his adult life. Howard Liebengood, who has known FDT since their Vanderbilt Law School days together, said that he and Fred were conservatives when college campuses were boiling with rebellion.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/e2222.htm

Fred Thompson doesn't have Hunter's baggage, that's for sure. Fred isn't tainted by the Randy "Duke" Cunningham scandal like Hunter is.

And wrote: "nor was he a supporter (and original co-
sponsor) of McCain-Feingold, nor did he vote "no" on Clinton's impeachment or sit by while the investigation into Chinagate got derailed."

Yes, Fred was a supporter of McCain Feingold, but he's acknowledged that was a mistake, and he's learned from it:

"Conceding that McCain-Feingold hasn't worked as intended, and is being riddled with new loopholes, he throws his hands open in exasperation. 'I'm not prepared to go there yet, but I wonder if we shouldn't just take off the limits and have full disclosure with harsh penalties for not reporting everything on the Internet immediately.'

From: http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110009798

About Clinton's impeachment: Fred Thompson did vote to impeach on the obstruction of justice article, the more serious charge. It was the hard to prove perjury article that Thompson voted against. Why did FDT vote for one and against the other? Answer:

http://www.australianpolitics.com/usa/clinton/trial/statements/thompson.shtml

As for Chinagate:

"Key witnesses declined to testify or fled the country, though evidence eventually surfaced of a Chinese plan to influence U.S. politics. He won't argue with those who say he showed 'naiveté' about how he would be stonewalled in his investigation. He says he's wiser now."

From: http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110009798

We learn from out mistakes if we're big enough to admit them. Thompson is a big enough man to admit his.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, CANDIDACY? John Fund interviews Fred Thompson. I love this quote: "The CIA has better politicians than it has spies." It does seem that way.

 

Conservative Republicans turning to Hollywood star

 

Fred Thompson takes big lead over Hunter in Poll (Vanity)

 

After reading this from Fred Thompson, he gets my vote for 2008. I'm tired of PC politicians and I want a leader.

 

'Law and Order' president? (Bill Frist e-mail about Fred Thompson)

 

Potus Candidate Thompson Indicates A Move Away From The BCRA (Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act)

 

Thompson would be candidate from conservative central casting--"It's in the numbers. Rasmussen is tracking her negatives at 48%. She couldn't win a race for dog catcher with negatives that high anywhere other than Noo Ork."
I know what the numbers say -- but, I also think that no one ever got rich by underestimating the Clintons.

 

Lights, Camera . . . Candidacy?--Fred Thompson is shaking up the GOP presidential field. And he's not even running yet.

 

Fred Thompson On WABC--All in all, it was a quick, pure dose of basic Reagan conservatism.

"Draft Fred" PAC being announced today

 

Zach Wamp: Why Fred Thompson Should Run For President

 

Thompson Run Could Change GOP Calculus

 

1997: Mr. President . This Is Your Campaign (F.Thompson, Hearings on Clinton Coffees/Campaign $$)

 

Everybody's On The Fredwagon (in TN Legislature)

 

Fred Thompson Quotes

[John Valentine]

But Thompson is pretty much a blank slate.

Not so. Thompson would be better described as an open book. He has written and spoken on virtually every topic of interest to Republicans. He has a resume of accomplishment over decades in public life.

I'd say that if there is a clean slate, it's yours. Do some reading and take notes.

[libertylover]

I made the same comment last week and someone sent me a link to a 30-page write-up by Thompson. Actually, there were two votes in the Senate and he voted Not Guilty to the perjury charge but Guilty to the Obstruction of Justice charge.

[backhoe]

-more-

Some HyperFred links v1.4:

Bio: http://www.lawrenceburgs.com/fred-thompson.html

Clarice Feldman: http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/

Forum: http://draftfredthompson.com/index.php

Fred '08 blog: blog: http://fred08.com/

Fred Thompson Papers: http://www.mpa.utk.edu/thompson/

Draft Fred '08 blog: http://draftthompson08.blogspot.com/

Fox: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,258222,00.html

Frist's blog: http://www.volpac.org/

Grassroots Voter Blog: http://www.grassrootsvoter.com/

The Hill: http://pundits.thehill.com/2007/03/12/the-fred-thompson-surge/

HE: http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=19689

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

IMDB onscreen: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000669/filmoyear

Iowa: http://iowansforfredthompson.blogspot.com/

J.C. Watts: http://www.wdef.com/node/3234

Novak: http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=19848

Why: http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_103689.asp

WSJ: http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110009798

More:

http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=T000457

http://postpolitical.com/ppblog/2007/03/18/more-thompson-analysis/

http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section=9&screen=news&news_id=55179

http://news.aol.com/elections/president/story/_a/law-and-order-actor-mulls-white-house/20070311145109990001

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?FDT_08

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/3/13/162521.shtml

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2007/03/14/thompson_seeking_political_operatives.html

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0307/3074.html

http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/009368.php

http://dailymail.com/static/apnews/?story=ap0680n.php

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_103616.asp

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/WilliamRusher/2007/03/13/fred_thompson_considers_running

http://race42008.com/2007/03/06/a-conservative-man-for-all-seasons/

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/politics/16929960.htm

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MTM1NTg1YjFhMGE5MzZjZDUzNzNhNzdkMjE2YmEyNTY

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NzcyNTAwZGZjYTM3ZDhkZDZkNmY5OWU2N2UwY2FhMDk=

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZjRiN2NiZGIzODQ0MDc5MGUxYTFhOWY5NTY2MzEyMDU=

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YTVjY2I4NmRkMTI0MDZkNzQ3OWM1OWM0NmQ2NTYyMDE=

http://exposingtheleft.blogspot.com/2007/03/thompson-run-could-change-gop-calculus.html

http://exposingtheleft.blogspot.com/2007/03/fred-factor.html

http://www.elephantbiz.com/2007/03/hyde_hearts_hunter.html

http://www.elephantbiz.com/2007/03/is_fred_thompson_a_conservativ.html#more

http://www.elephantbiz.com/2007/03/fredfest_1.html

http://www.elephantbiz.com/2007/03/the_daily_fred.html

62 posted on 03/18/2007 11:13:10 PM EDT by Sturm Ruger

Some HyperFred links v1.4:

Bio: http://www.lawrenceburgs.com/fred-thompson.html

Clarice Feldman: http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/

Forum: http://draftfredthompson.com/index.php

Fred '08 blog: blog: http://fred08.com/

Fred Thompson Papers: http://www.mpa.utk.edu/thompson/

Draft Fred '08 blog: http://draftthompson08.blogspot.com/

Fox: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,258222,00.html

Frist's blog: http://www.volpac.org/

Grassroots Voter Blog: http://www.grassrootsvoter.com/

The Hill: http://pundits.thehill.com/2007/03/12/the-fred-thompson-surge/

HE: http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=19689

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

IMDB onscreen: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000669/filmoyear

Iowa: http://iowansforfredthompson.blogspot.com/

J.C. Watts: http://www.wdef.com/node/3234

Novak: http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=19848

Why: http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_103689.asp

WSJ: http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110009798

More:

http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=T000457

http://postpolitical.com/ppblog/2007/03/18/more-thompson-analysis/

http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section=9&screen=news&news_id=55179

http://news.aol.com/elections/president/story/_a/law-and-order-actor-mulls-white-house/20070311145109990001

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?FDT_08

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/3/13/162521.shtml

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2007/03/14/thompson_seeking_political_operatives.html

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0307/3074.html

http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/009368.php

http://dailymail.com/static/apnews/?story=ap0680n.php

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_103616.asp

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/WilliamRusher/2007/03/13/fred_thompson_considers_running

http://race42008.com/2007/03/06/a-conservative-man-for-all-seasons/

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/politics/16929960.htm

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MTM1NTg1YjFhMGE5MzZjZDUzNzNhNzdkMjE2YmEyNTY

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NzcyNTAwZGZjYTM3ZDhkZDZkNmY5OWU2N2UwY2FhMDk=

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZjRiN2NiZGIzODQ0MDc5MGUxYTFhOWY5NTY2MzEyMDU=

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YTVjY2I4NmRkMTI0MDZkNzQ3OWM1OWM0NmQ2NTYyMDE=

http://exposingtheleft.blogspot.com/2007/03/thompson-run-could-change-gop-calculus.html

http://exposingtheleft.blogspot.com/2007/03/fred-factor.html

http://www.elephantbiz.com/2007/03/hyde_hearts_hunter.html

http://www.elephantbiz.com/2007/03/is_fred_thompson_a_conservativ.html#more

http://www.elephantbiz.com/2007/03/fredfest_1.html

http://www.elephantbiz.com/2007/03/the_daily_fred.html

[Josh Painter]

Some HyperFred links v1.4:

Bio: http://www.lawrenceburgs.com/fred-thompson.html

Clarice Feldman: http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/

Forum: http://draftfredthompson.com/index.php

Fred '08 blog: blog: http://fred08.com/

Fred Thompson Papers: http://www.mpa.utk.edu/thompson/

Draft Fred '08 blog: http://draftthompson08.blogspot.com/

Fox: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,258222,00.html

Frist's blog: http://www.volpac.org/

Grassroots Voter Blog: http://www.grassrootsvoter.com/

The Hill: http://pundits.thehill.com/2007/03/12/the-fred-thompson-surge/

HE: http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=19689

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

IMDB onscreen: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000669/filmoyear

Iowa: http://iowansforfredthompson.blogspot.com/

J.C. Watts: http://www.wdef.com/node/3234

Novak: http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=19848

Why: http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_103689.asp

WSJ: http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110009798

More:

http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=T000457

http://postpolitical.com/ppblog/2007/03/18/more-thompson-analysis/

http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section=9&screen=news&news_id=55179

http://news.aol.com/elections/president/story/_a/law-and-order-actor-mulls-white-house/20070311145109990001

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?FDT_08

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/3/13/162521.shtml

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2007/03/14/thompson_seeking_political_operatives.html

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0307/3074.html

http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/009368.php

http://dailymail.com/static/apnews/?story=ap0680n.php

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_103616.asp

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/WilliamRusher/2007/03/13/fred_thompson_considers_running

http://race42008.com/2007/03/06/a-conservative-man-for-all-seasons/

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/politics/16929960.htm

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MTM1NTg1YjFhMGE5MzZjZDUzNzNhNzdkMjE2YmEyNTY

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NzcyNTAwZGZjYTM3ZDhkZDZkNmY5OWU2N2UwY2FhMDk=

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZjRiN2NiZGIzODQ0MDc5MGUxYTFhOWY5NTY2MzEyMDU=

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YTVjY2I4NmRkMTI0MDZkNzQ3OWM1OWM0NmQ2NTYyMDE=

http://exposingtheleft.blogspot.com/2007/03/thompson-run-could-change-gop-calculus.html

http://exposingtheleft.blogspot.com/2007/03/fred-factor.html

http://www.elephantbiz.com/2007/03/hyde_hearts_hunter.html

http://www.elephantbiz.com/2007/03/is_fred_thompson_a_conservativ.html#more

http://www.elephantbiz.com/2007/03/fredfest_1.html

http://www.elephantbiz.com/2007/03/the_daily_fred.html

[WKB]

"Perhaps the largest stumbling block to a Thompson candidacy might be his close friendship with McCain, whose candidacy he backed strongly in 2000 against George W. Bush in the GOP primaries"



Looking back over the last 6 years that might not
as big a problem as once thought.

[backhoe]

Some HyperFred links v1.4:

A hattip to ye...

[Josh Painter]

Fred Thompson on his Clinton impeachment votes:

http://www.australianpolitics.com/usa/clinton/trial/statements/thompson.shtml

[Josh Painter]

Great minds...

[Graymatter]

I went to the wayback machine and found the old senate website of FT. There's a lot of interesting material there on Fred's positions and his activities in the Senate. Dozens of pages.

[Josh Painter]

Link?

[Josh Painter]

Some HyperFredLinks v1.6:

Bio: http://www.lawrenceburgs.com/fred-thompson.html

Clarice Feldman: http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/

Forum: http://draftfredthompson.com/index.php

Fred '08 blog: blog: http://fred08.com/

Fred Thompson Papers: http://www.mpa.utk.edu/thompson/

Draft Fred '08 blog: http://draftthompson08.blogspot.com/

Fox: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,258222,00.html

Frist's blog: http://www.volpac.org/

Grassroots Voter Blog: http://www.grassrootsvoter.com/

The Hill: http://pundits.thehill.com/2007/03/12/the-fred-thompson-surge/

HE: http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=19689

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

IMDB onscreen: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000669/filmoyear

Iowa: http://iowansforfredthompson.blogspot.com/

J.C. Watts: http://www.wdef.com/node/3234

Novak: http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=19848

Why: http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_103689.asp

WSJ: http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110009798

More:

http://www.australianpolitics.com/usa/clinton/trial/statements/thompson.shtml

http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=T000457

http://postpolitical.com/ppblog/2007/03/18/more-thompson-analysis/

http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section=9&screen=news&news_id=55179

http://news.aol.com/elections/president/story/_a/law-and-order-actor-mulls-white-house/20070311145109990001

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?FDT_08

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/3/13/162521.shtml

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2007/03/14/thompson_seeking_political_operatives.html

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0307/3074.html

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/printpage/?url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/03/thompson_could_fill_the_missin.html

http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/009368.php

http://dailymail.com/static/apnews/?story=ap0680n.php

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_103616.asp

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/WilliamRusher/2007/03/13/fred_thompson_considers_running

http://race42008.com/2007/03/06/a-conservative-man-for-all-seasons/

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/politics/16929960.htm

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MTM1NTg1YjFhMGE5MzZjZDUzNzNhNzdkMjE2YmEyNTY

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NzcyNTAwZGZjYTM3ZDhkZDZkNmY5OWU2N2UwY2FhMDk=

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZjRiN2NiZGIzODQ0MDc5MGUxYTFhOWY5NTY2MzEyMDU=

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YTVjY2I4NmRkMTI0MDZkNzQ3OWM1OWM0NmQ2NTYyMDE=

http://exposingtheleft.blogspot.com/2007/03/thompson-run-could-change-gop-calculus.html

http://exposingtheleft.blogspot.com/2007/03/fred-factor.html

http://www.elephantbiz.com/2007/03/hyde_hearts_hunter.html

http://www.elephantbiz.com/2007/03/is_fred_thompson_a_conservativ.html#more

http://www.elephantbiz.com/2007/03/fredfest_1.html

http://www.elephantbiz.com/2007/03/the_daily_fred.html

[Loyal Buckeye]

Will Paul Harvey support him?