Posted on 05/30/2007 10:32:23 PM PDT by NoobRep
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Hollywood actor Fred Thompson said in an interview that he plans to run for U.S. president in 2008, joining a crowded field of Republican candidates.
"I can't remember exactly the point I said, 'I'm going to do this,'" Thompson said of his planned presidential run in Thursday's edition of USA Today.
"But when I did, the thing that occurred to me: 'I'm going to tell people that I am thinking about it and see what kind of reaction I get to it.'"
Thompson, a 64-year-old social conservative, said he was planning a campaign that will use blogs, video posts and other Internet innovations to reach voters turned off by "politics-as-usual" in both parties, USA Today said.
On Wednesday, a long-time friend and political adviser said Thompson had tentatively decided to run for president and that he has quit his role on the TV crime series "Law & Order."
"His mind is made up to run if interest continues to be as intense as it is," Tom Ingram said in a telephone interview.
Thompson, who won election twice as a Republican senator from Tennessee, will now begin raising money to gauge support, added Ingram, who serves as chief of staff to Sen. Lamar Alexander, also a Tennessee Republican.
Late on Wednesday, "Law & Order" creator Dick Wolf said Thompson had asked to leave the show where he has played New York District Attorney Arthur Branch for five seasons.
(Excerpt) Read more at in.today.reuters.com ...
Fred is one of the only candidates I’ve ever seen that could get away with an unconventional campaign. He has such star power, charisma and an amazing grasp of the issues that people from everywhere actively seek him out to see what he has to say. Fred is like E.F. Hutton-when he talks, people listen.
Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
Tell that rule to Lincoln, our first Republican president!
Yay!
It’s been 94 years since one was in the White House (Taft) and 59 years since one was nominated (Dewey).
As an owner of “a hirsute appendage of the upper lip, with graspable extremities,” I tend to agree.
A candidate would be a fool not to use the Internet in a campaign. Don’t you think?
Will the level of excitement for Fred Thompson’s Presidential run greatly wane if President Bush does end up signing “More Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants” into “law” next month? I’m also very concerned about the entire future of the Republican Party at every political level if President Bush does sign that “mess” into “law” very soon. How can this “mess” truly be fixed for the sake of the entire U.S. and for the sake of all law abiding people living and working in the U.S. after it becomes the “law”?
““I’d like to see an end to the rule a male candidate has to be clean-shaven.””
What’s with the “male” bit? A female with facial hair isn’t going to get elected either...
Now you did it. I am taking bets on how long before that nasty pic of *shudder* Helen Thomas appears.
How about them apples?
Thompson has one huge thing in his favor over Dean...Fred knows Hollywood...he knows how to use the camera...he knows how to talk to it..and he is comfortable in front of it.
He will know how to use images and words together that will show why W Bush was such an awful communicator. Bush’s biggest problem is that he has never used technology, video, or anything remotely advanced to his benefit to win over the hearts and minds of the world.
One of the worst communicators in history as U.S. President.
It’s been 94 years since one was in the White House (Taft) and 59 years since one was nominated (Dewey).
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Don’t forget Nixon’s ever present 5 oclock shadow..:)
No beard for Fred while he is running, but if he wants to grow one after he gets in office that would be fine with me. Facial hair covers up facial expressions. Thompson’s expressions are good...even his scowl. Unlike Hillary’s scowl, which could turn the Gorgon Medusa to stone.
Most of the major politicans have their biographies up on Facebook and Myspace except for Rudy, that is.
COMMENT:
I predict right now that if President Bush signs the Immigration Bill into law that Fred Thompson will be the next President.
All those fence sitting wishy washy moderates will be so enraged over the new law that Thompson will be swept into office.
People will see that who you vote for does count when it comes to protecting the values and traditions of America.
Just the lowly opinion of a Red State wannabe.
Am not sure that will impress most Americans.
“I am taking bets on how long before that nasty pic of *shudder* Helen Thomas appears.”
I’ve heard it said that beauty is only skin deep, but ugliness goes all the way to the bone...
So do I. Bet his haircuts are nowhere near $400.
After Bush, I'd settle for a candidate who only got a couple of things right. The constitution is right there for anyone to see. What's the problem?
“Am not sure that will impress most Americans”
It doesn’t take much to impress most Americans. Remember Bill Clinton?
Then the President should sign the Immigration Bill into law.
It’s not just a matter of that.
Thompson’s hit on Micheal Moore was a masterful use of the medium.
The internet’s greatest potential, which Thompson is edging towards tapping, is to remove the distance between the candidate and the people which has been created in the modern age.
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