.The next President of the United States
Posted on 03/09/2007 4:47:48 PM PST by Livin_large
One Hollywood actor, Ronald Reagan, served as president for eight years. So why not an actor who plays a district attorney on TV?
Fred Thompson, the character Arthur Branch on NBC's drama "Law & Order," is being urged to pursue the GOP nomination by several Tennessee Republicans who also have been trying to drum up support for a candidacy.
Former Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker has been talking to senators. Rep. Zach Wamp has been in touch with colleagues in the House.
"It's something I hope happens," Wamp said Friday. "We need that kind of star quality, but most importantly we need his strength and resolve."
Wamp said he asked Thompson to consider running immediately after former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, another Tennessee Republican, decided not to run for president late last year.
"I think he has an open mind, and he sees the need," Wamp said.
Thompson, 64, the minority counsel in the Watergate investigation, was elected to the Senate in 1994 to fill the unexpired term of Vice President Al Gore. He was chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee and left the Senate in 2003 to resume his acting career.
He took an active role in shepherding Chief Justice John Roberts through the Senate confirmation process in 2005.
Thompson recently raised money for the defense of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, who was found guilty of perjury and obstruction in the investigation into the 2003 leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity.
Thompson has acted in films such as "The Hunt for Red October," "Cape Fear," and "In the Line of Fire."
He has had no comment about a possible White House bid.
If he decided to run, Thompson would join a crowded GOP field led by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Sen. John McCain of Arizona. The number could grow when Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel makes an announcement on his future plans.
This is in my reference to my post #9.
I would add one other thing. That is, if Fred T is smart, he will look and select a VP early on. My suggestion would be to go outside the usual political spectrum. A good choice might be Steve Forbes.
While Forbes ran for President and failed miserably it was because he was not a professional politician. You must be one to prevail in high stakes political contests. It does not mean he would not be a welcome addition to a ticket than will face pressing domestic economic problems.
Just a thought. I thought of Jeb Bush as well, but this might be fodder for the "dynasty" detractors. In any case we need a broad repertoire of talent to face the problems that are increasing rather than decreasing in severity.
"Son, the Russians don't take a crap without a plan" is mine.
LOL - as much as I hate to admit this, to a "seasoned citizen" lady like I am, Fred has a certain "hunkiness" to him. He's definitely a man, not a blow-dried sissy-boy.
Hello...I am a "Rudybot" and I'm neither scared nor running away. If Fred Thompson throws his hat in the ring and proves he is a fabulous candidate, well I'll support him. Speaking for the Rudybots, we are looking for a true leader who will fight and beat both the Dems and our enemies abroad--and who can win. I do not want to ever see a President Pantsuit or wear a burqa.
.The next President of the United States
If Thompson does get into the race he will quickly become the (next) target for the one percenters.
Very pro-gun.
They'd better be careful...he was an actor and may have worn a dress and lipstick at one time in his career.
Fred is far and away the best conservative and one hell of a sharp cookie.
Thompson is whipping Rudy on the home page poll by more than Gingrich or Hunter did.
So, if the "one percenters" shot is direct at those of us who oppose Giuliani, you couldn't be more wrong. Fred Thompson would be a godsend and he'll be welcomed by conservatives with open arms. The poll backs that up.
LOL - as much as I hate to admit this, to a "seasoned citizen" lady like I am, Fred has a certain "hunkiness" to him. He's definitely a man, not a blow-dried sissy-boy.
**
This senior lady agrees.
It's aimed at those people who habitually latch on to a candidate who continues to poll at 1 percent (with a margin of error of 1 or in rare cases 2%) and spend all their time attacking the candidate(s) that everyone else favors. Then when their candidate doesn't get the nomination, as inevitably always happens, they start campaigning third party.
You've been around long enough to know who I'm referring to.
With many conservatives unhappy with the current Republican field, some are pushing for a new candidate. Is Fred Thompson the next Ronald Reagan? We'll talk with the former senator — now an actor — about taking on a new role.
We've only been through one primary election since Free Republic's been around. And I don't recall any serious support for that Buchanan/Lola Falana ticket in 2000.
But I was new and a lurker, so maybe I missed some of the fringe activity.
As for buchanan, he started that first campaign (the second was a money grab farce) in the double digits nationally and a whole lot higher here on FR. When he left the GOP his numbers started dropping nationally but he remained strong here. It was only when his campaign progress through one bizarre thing after another that his national ratings hit bottom and most of his supporters on FR had enough.
Not that oddly, you'll see some of his few remaining supporters and some Keysters names popping up a lot lately.
This senior citizen thinks Fred may be able to narrow the gender gap (on the fair side that is).
gpapa
Internet polls are completely useless.
Here's the description for Fred's appearance on Chris Wallace's Sunday show, from http://tvlistings4.zap2it.com :
"Former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) talks about his chances of becoming president"
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