Now it can be told- The Thompson story

foxnews.com ^ | 1/22/2008 | by Carl Cameron

[SAMWolf]

Back in March of 07 at the CPAC convention in DC several former Fred Thompson Congressional staffers told me Fred Thompson was thinking about a run. Some of his Tennessee cronies had been talking him up too.

I reported first that he was eyeing a White House bid. At the time several insiders told me OFF THE RECORD that it was largely a trial ballon to guage his popularity and float his name as a possible vice presidential nominee. I was sworn to silence.

[B Knotts]

BTW, good to see you still around, Sam. We met some years ago during the 2000 election, I think.

[ImpBill]

It will be difficult enough to convince myself that I could possibly vote for mittrommney. There is absolutely no way I will even show up to vote if McCain or Tooty Rooty is the choice of the GOP.

[9YearLurker]

It does explain the bizarre rumoring from the start that he didn’t really want it or that he didn’t act like he wanted it.

[GatorGirl]

HI SAM—long time no see!

This exact speculation came up over dinner tonight with several of us who were disappointed but not surprised to hear the news today.

He’d make a GREAT VP choice, IMHO! GG

[mad_as_he$$]

I have been done with ALL Bushes for three years.

[beckysueb]

I have been saying this for weeks. That explains Freds allegiance to McCain. People would vote for McCain to get Fred as VP. Fred is wildly popular in the south. He just wasn’t out there. The media largely ignored him, too, which didn’t help.

[9YearLurker]

I’m having a hard time warming up to any of them, too, but I think I’ve nudged myself over to Mitt’s camp as of this afternoon. Fred on Mitt’s team would make me feel better about it, and I think he quite respects Fred.

[Road Warrior ‘04]

YES! McCain/Thompson would ruin Thomspon’s credibility, not enhance McCain’s credibility.

If, God forbid, it's McCain, you won't have to worry about Fred being his VP. That slot, I believe , will be given to Leiberman or sKerry (reciprocity).

[beckysueb]

Yep.

[Old Sarge]

[Anti-Hillary]

Your drivel has been seen all over Fred threads.

YAWN!!!!

[Question Liberal Authority]

I was sworn to silence.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll try to keep it a secret.

[Anti-Hillary]

Very good point!

[celtic gal]

Speaking of McCain...here is my idea..if McCain does not get the nomination, he goes as an independent and will select Lieberman as his VP..how does that sound for a plot?

[Andy'smom]

I heard Tancredo say that Romney was the only one who would sit down and listen to him.

[Just mythoughts]

I have been saying this for weeks. That explains Freds allegiance to McCain. People would vote for McCain to get Fred as VP. Fred is wildly popular in the south. He just wasn’t out there. The media largely ignored him, too, which didn’t help.

If Carl's story is true then it also sounds like Thompson did not want media coverage, just testing his own popularity.

[NautiNurse]

People would vote for McCain to get Fred as VP.

I dunno about this. A McCain/Thompson ticket would be Old and Older. Grumpy Old Men jokes would be tiresome.

[Just mythoughts]

Speaking of McCain...here is my idea..if McCain does not get the nomination, he goes as an independent and will select Lieberman as his VP..how does that sound for a plot?

McCain/Lieberman is not a winning ticket... and McCain is in this to win whatever it takes. Now a Clinton/McCain ticket would be a win for him and these two could unify the liberals and independents.

[Cicero]

No kidding? It never hurts to be polite. But everyone treats Tancredo as if he were radioactive.

[vharlow]

Whether or not he’s offered the VP slot by any of the currently remaining candidates - what good would it be if he were just a do-nothing VP? I think Fred would only agree if he were to have an active role. If one of these other candidates wanted Fred and was willing to give him an active role, it would enhance their candidacy by turning all sorts of actual conservatives in their direction. Right now, we are wandering around wondering where to light... Romney seems best to me, but I’d vote for Rudi or Huck if they had a Fred backup with an active role to play. I don’t think I’d vote for McCain/Thompson though, because I don’t trust McCain on any issue, and don’t think he would do anything but use Fred’s backers and give him no voice.