Posted on 04/25/2007 8:30:48 AM PDT by areafiftyone
Former senator, commentator and actor Fred Thompson will provide regular opinion and analysis on ABCRadio.com. The network says the “Fred Thompson Report” will discuss issues and events that affect all Americans. Audio versions of many of the commentaries will also be made available on ABCRadio.com.
“The Internet allows – as never before – a real dialogue among the American people. There has never been a more important time in recent history to be informed as a nation, and my hope is that my daily commentary will contribute to that discussion,” said Thompson. “I’m looking forward to using the medium to its fullest.”
“There is a clear demand to hear from Senator Thompson. It’s obvious that listeners, if not America, seek his leadership on issues that matter. Radio has already provided an excellent platform to inform and educate listeners seeking his opinion—the ‘Fred Thompson Report’ is another extension to deliver his respected opinion,” said John McConnell, SVP/Programming, ABC Radio Networks.
Thompson, a former Republican Senator from Tennessee is well known for his current television role on NBC’s “Law & Order.” For the past year, Thompson has been working with ABC News Radio as a Special Program Host and Senior Analyst, hosting special reports and doing vacation fill-in for Paul Harvey.
There is a lot he would have to do before he runs. One Law and Order will have to agree not to show any of his episodes during the campaign at all...not even repeats. Two, this radio show will need to be over before he announces because it would be another unfair advantage. This radio show makes me wonder if he will run now. I thought for sure he was going to but he just made it more complicated. I hope if he runs that he is careful with what he says over the radio so the liberals don’t have any ammo. In todays world, it is dangerous to speak freely over the radio hours at a time.
I realize that comment was for areafiftyone, but I must say that the fact that this poster chose not to post on that particular thread shows a sign of intelligence. LOL That thread became the setting for yet another flame-war that brings about nothing positive, only bad feelings. Republicans need to pull together, not split apart.
If his strategy is to let Time reduce the appeal of the others I don’t think it will work. Of course, he will not come out and attack them directly since he is too smart for that and, unlike his promoters here, realizes he will need their supporters later should he win the nomination.
The early declarations are demanded by the new front-end loaded primaries.
Only if he does the spots after he's actually a candidate
As far as I know, all the likely Rat candidates have announced. And Newt and McCain are the only Pub candidates (other than Fred) who have not announced. McCain will announce this week and Newt is already on Fox and other networks as a commentator. So Fred's joining Newt shouldn't be looked at as unusual. Let's see where we are in in the early fall.
Either he has decided against it or he has decided that the competition isn't all that fierce and that he has time.
With all of the comparisons to Ronald Reagan being thrown about, regards Thompson, by others -- and by the other candidates about themselves -- to me this is an attempt to emulate Reagan. That is... if Thompson is merely biding his time before running.
I think it's Fred's non-conventional way of campaigning. That's his history and that's when he's at his best.
Wow. It is interesting, for sure, that Fred could get this kind of free campaign ad deal from an MSM giant like ABC. I am pretty sure the deal is off once Fred officially declares. He may just wait a little while so he can take advantage of this coup.
Rush just announced that McCain just announced! LOL
I was by no means implying that areafiftyone MADE UP this story. Rather, my wondering was about why a diehard Giuliani supporter would post this story and sound enthusiastic about FDT taking a radio gig. I could only surmise that it was salivation at the prospect of Fred not challenging Rudy.
My point about Fred is simple IF he really wants to run and win he needs to announce NOW. The longer he waits to do so the more difficult it will be.
That's the conventional wisdom, and I have shared the same concern. But perhaps doing the radio thing for a few months and then announcing might work in this case. Then again, it could turn out to be too late.
Do YOU think this job means he will delay any announcement even longer or won’t run at all?
I have no idea. I just think an early May announcement is now out the window, since he would have to quit the radio show immediately. But de facto "running," unannounced, for a few months, while doing the radio show, could garner support beyond us "movement conservatives" and build up a head of steam when the official announcement finally comes.
If FT doesn't get in, I don't know who I'll support at the Straw Poll.
Good point about the early primaries. I imagine there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to get things ready for an announcement and he seems to be making a lot of public appearances now. The radio show seems to me a good way for him to promote his ideas while this is going on, although hopefully he won’t be on the show very long. Obviously he won’t be goaded into something until he is ready.
If his piece falls in a regularly scheduled news show, they do NOT have to provide equal time.
You and me both.
Just like Reagan was less likely to run when he was doing radio commentary in 1975.
They're not doing it out of the goodness of their hearts, but out of a desire to fatten their wallets.
That's the beauty of this approach -- ABC has a solid, market-based reason to sign Thompson. Thompson, in turn, gets a free (and highly visible) platform to run a shadow campaign for as long as he needs to.
And if anyone cries "foul", the media itself will rush to shut them up, because if a media commentary position is considered a potential "campaign contribution", then the media would rapidly be out of high-profile political commentators.
I’d love to see his contract... I bet there’s an “out” clause should he announce for political office.
I’m sorry to hear that.
You and I support different men for the GOP nomination. I’m pleased it hasn’t made us enemies :)
If you are comparing Fred to Newt in this case then it looks like he will not run. Newt won’t run and his screwing around just takes support from someone like Fred.
Newt knows he has no real support and enormous opposition being one of the LEAST popular politicians out there. Unfairly of course but still real.
I am hoping he holds off for as long as possible and then WINS! If for no other reason, I'd like to see someone kill this trend of starting campaigns earlier and earlier.
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