Posted on 06/13/2007 10:37:29 PM PDT by RWR8189
Not too long after he entered the Senate in late 1994, Fred Thompson was often heard to quip, "I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood."
As he moves ever closer to a presidential run, the Will Rogersesque line fits well into his folksy persona -- but the musing does carry with it one big caveat.
Even if the Tennessee Republican ends up being the one true show-business candidate in a race with a bevy of superstar contenders, that doesn't mean that the entertainment industry will automatically line up behind him.
There's the obvious reason: Republicans make up a small but not insignificant percentage of the industry -- about one-third, according to fundraising figures from the Center for Responsive Politics.
That means that many of the key donors and fundraisers have already thrown their support behind Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
There's also the fact that Thompson is hardly a creature of Hollywood, at least compared with Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger or, for that matter, Fred Grandy and Sonny Bono.
He doesn't live in the industry town and, save for a few premieres here and there, isn't known as a player in its social scene. As political consultant Mike Murphy noted, "I don't think you're going to find him playing the congas at a Brett Ratner party."
Quite the character
Thompson's Hollywood career was all but an accident, given that he was cast in the 1985 movie "Marie" as himself. In real life, he had represented Marie Ragghianti, the head of the Tennessee Board of Pardons who blew the lid off a gubernatorial corruption scandal.
After that, Thompson rarely veered from the role of the straight-shooting authority figure, whether it was as a prosecutor, military leader or president.
These were character parts, and while they may have typecast him into a career of supporting and ensemble roles and kept him off Hollywood's A-list, in hindsight he may be all the better for it. "His movie career is more of a help than it will hurt," Murphy said. "You don't see Fred in 'Portrait of a Serial Killer.'"
After all, what image does the public have other than that of a wise leader with a steady hand on the stern? Not even Reagan could claim to have played commander in chief before seeking the office.
"Fred Thompson's strength is he's the Hollywood candidate who doesn't need Hollywood," said writer-producer Rob Long, a well-known industry Republican. "He brings Hollywood with him."
Celebrity credibility
Thompson's entertainment experience actually may give him all the more credibility in taking on Hollywood -- or at least its left wing. Last month, after Thompson criticized Michael Moore for traveling to Cuba to shoot a scene for his upcoming documentary, "Sicko," Moore fired back by noting that it was Thompson who was a smoker of Cuban cigars and challenged him to a debate.
Thompson's response? A hastily produced message on YouTube that matched Moore's gift for biting irreverence.
Stogie in hand, he told Moore he didn't have time to debate and went on to point out that Castro had sent a Cuban documentarian into a mental institution. "A mental institution, Michael," Thompson said. "It might be something you ought to think about."
Said Long, "He was genial, funny, interesting. He really moved fast inside a (news) cycle and didn't have to convene a brain trust."
All of this isn't to say that Thompson will shun Hollywood -- or that it will shun him. As always, nothing keeps donors from giving to multiple candidates. Many industry politicos expect him to draw on his contacts: the producers, directors and fellow actors he has worked with, along with his own agents.
Shakin' it up
His spokesman, Mark Corallo, said simply, "Sen. Thompson has many friends in the entertainment industry." For big-time fundraisers to switch alliances, it may take a major stumble in either the Giuliani or the McCain camp.
"I think Republicans in Hollywood are split between Giuliani and McCain, but I think (Thompson) will shake things up," predicted Sam Haskell, an industry fundraiser and the former head of TV at the William Morris Agency.
"At first I think that he will raise more money in the hinterlands than the East and West coasts. In the end, more people will be drawn to him."
In other words, as a latecomer to the Republican race, Thompson's test will be whether he can play not to Hollywood or Washington but to the realism and sincerity of the heartland.
Ted Johnson is managing editor of Variety and author of the blog Wilshire and Washington (www.wilshireandwashington.com).
ping
I somehow don’t think Fred is looking to Ted for advice.
Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
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lol!!
McCain has already stumbled (see McCain/Kennedy/Bush amnesty plan) and Giuliani is about as much a republican as is Hillary. Mitt Romney sure can raise some money, but the polls aren’t kind to him. The seven dwarfs are mostly likely VP candidates. That leaves Fred.
bump to bookmark
Gore & Thompson: Blah & Order
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1849972/posts
I don't know of any Republicans who are assuming they would! Hollywood is too deep in love with the Democrats because it shares their 'worldview'. I also don't think most people will be inclined to vote for Fred because he's a 'hollywood star'. There will be some who will vote for that reason, and I for one would welcome their vote, because that would just increase his margin over the Democrat candidate. ;o)
Thanks for the link to his blog. I lost an earlier cite...
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