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'Hollywood Fred' should look to the hinterlands
The Politico ^ | June 13, 2007 | Ted Johnson

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).


TOPICS: Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; elections; fredthompson; fredthompson2008; gop; republicans; thompson08

1 posted on 06/13/2007 10:37:30 PM PDT by RWR8189
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To: Politicalmom

ping


2 posted on 06/13/2007 10:42:59 PM PDT by Doofer (Fred Dalton Thompson For President)
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To: RWR8189

I somehow don’t think Fred is looking to Ted for advice.


3 posted on 06/13/2007 10:43:43 PM PDT by bnelson44 (http://www.appealforcourage.org)
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To: RWR8189

Fred’s new blog:

http://fredfile.imwithfred.com/


4 posted on 06/13/2007 10:47:22 PM PDT by bnelson44 (http://www.appealforcourage.org)
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To: jellybean; carlo3b; girlangler; KoRn; Shortstop7; Lunatic Fringe; Darnright; babygene; pitbully; ...
PING!!

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference

WARNING: If you want to be added to this list, this ping list is EXTREMELY active.

5 posted on 06/13/2007 11:52:40 PM PDT by Politicalmom (No self-respecting group bent on world domination would invite Angelina Jolie to be a member.)
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To: RWR8189
IBTD
6 posted on 06/13/2007 11:58:06 PM PDT by ASA Vet (Doink doink)
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To: bnelson44

lol!!


7 posted on 06/14/2007 12:02:58 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker ( Hunter/Thompson/Thompson/Hunter in 08! "Read my lips....No new RINO's" !!)
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To: RWR8189

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.


8 posted on 06/14/2007 12:38:33 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (Fred Thompson/John Bolton 2008)
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To: prairiebreeze

bump to bookmark


9 posted on 06/14/2007 3:26:10 AM PDT by prairiebreeze (PUT AMERICA AHEAD --- VOTE FOR FRED!!.)
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To: Politicalmom
Another FredThread:

Gore & Thompson: Blah & Order

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1849972/posts

10 posted on 06/14/2007 5:31:42 AM PDT by Honeybunch ("Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind." ~Rudyard Kipling)
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To: bnelson44
http://fredfile.imwithfred.com/

Thanks for the link. I was wondering when he'd have some updates done to his site. Did you see the "Call Talk Radio" section? I haven't seen something like that in any other campaign.
11 posted on 06/14/2007 6:34:00 AM PDT by mmichaels1970
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To: RWR8189
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.

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)

12 posted on 06/14/2007 7:59:15 AM PDT by SuziQ
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To: bnelson44

Thanks for the link to his blog. I lost an earlier cite...


13 posted on 06/14/2007 8:35:41 AM PDT by eureka! (The 'rats have made their choice in the WOT and honest history will not be kind to them...)
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