Fred Thompson: Man About Town

WashPostBlog ^ | 3-28-07 | Mary Ann Akers

[STARWISE]

That Fred Thompson really gets around!

After having lunch Monday at the Mayflower hotel restaurant with Republican Party master strategist Ed Gillespie, the actor and former Tennessee senator met for three hours that day at the same location with former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, also of Tennessee.

The back-to-back meetings underscore just how serious Thompson is about mulling a run for the presidency. And who wouldn't run after managing to place third among GOP presidential candidates without even lifting a finger?

*snip*

Eric Ueland, a former top aide to Frist when he was Senate majority leader, confirmed that Thompson sought Frist's guidance this week.

"Sen. Frist has been talking to lots of old friends whenever he is in town, including Sen. Thompson, whose common-sense conservative credentials are part of the national conversation Republicans are having now about the 2008 race as they examine the field and the positions of various folks ready to carry the party's banner forward ..... "

*snip*

A Frist confidant familiar with the meeting between Thompson and Frist said he thought Thompson was "deadly serious" about learning as much as he could from Frist, who had considered a run for president himself and who, as the former top Republican in the Senate, is a proven fundraiser and has a Rolodex full of donors' names.

The source, who asked not to be identified because he was discussing sensitive political matters, said the two former Volunteer State senators had a "good conversation" and now consider themselves "friends," despite some tension in the past when they served together in the Senate,.........

*snip*

A close Thompson confidant, meanwhile, told The Sleuth that Thompson has "the luxury of sitting back and waiting" before jumping in the '08 waters.

[Draco]

Maybe he can clean out DC like the guy he played in the movie "Marie" cleaned out the Tennessee governor's office. He played himself in that movie. Remember, after being counsel on the Watergate heartings (opposite the individual now called "Mrs. Bill Clinton") he returned to his home state. He assumed a similar role in Tennessee, Roy Blanton, I believe was the Democrat Governor at the time. Afterward, the "Marie" movie producers couldn't find anyone to play the part he played in real life, so he played the role of himself. His first acting gig, if I understand correctly. I think tall blading guys need more respect, so I might vote for him.

[SE Mom]

I think he's going to do it:)

He's going to meet with a group in the Republican House the week of 15 April...and that may tell the tale!

[PAR35]

Maybe he can clean out DC like the guy he played in the movie "Marie" cleaned out the Tennessee governor's office.

He was playing himself in the movie.

[Kimmers]

I keep thinking about all the free publicity Fred is getting form his gigs on Paul Harvey....it is a good thing.

[Emrys]

Well, if it is Hunter Thompson, maybe they can get the libs to vote for them because they will think its the real Hunter Thompson and figure, Great! Free drugs!

[pissant]

Get all those contemplating suicide via revolver too.

[joylyn]

I read somewhere that Thompson left the Senate because he was discouraged by the culture of congress. When Rudy Giuliani encountered the do-nothing, tax and spend culture of New York City politics he fought to change it and largely succeeded. Thompson retired from politics to a gig as a TV actor. Why should I have faith that he will accomplish ANYTHING in the White House?

[Anarchist]

The way he was steamrollered by John Glenn during the Senate campaign hearings makes me wonder about his leadership capabilities.

We don't need more weak-kneed Republicans.

[flashbunny]

I suggest you do a little research about how rudy actually left the city financially when he left office. It's a little less flattering than the rudy mythos would have you believe.

In the senate, you're one of one hundred. You can't do a hell of a lot to change things. When you're president, you're the guy in charge, and you have a lot more power.

Given their radically different viewpoints, I'd be much more comfortable giving that power to fred thompson than I would be giving it to an anti-gun, pro roe v wade, pro illegal immigration, pro CFR, pro hate crime, pro global warming BS NY liberal republican.

[guinnessman]

Bush came within 10,000 votes of winning Wisconsin in 2004 (which would have rendered Ohio irrelevant.)

Of course, there was massive voter fraud on the part of the Democrats in Milwaukee County.

None of this was noticed by the DBM, they were too busy focusing on how close Ohio was with Bush winning by a "mere 120,000 votes".

[Graymatter]

After having lunch Monday at the Mayflower hotel restaurant with...Ed Gillespie, the actor and former Tennessee senator met for three hours that day at the same location with...Bill Frist

Ok, but take it easy with the lunches!

[Txsleuth]

http://www.stubbornfacts.us/politics/2008_election/tim_for_another_straw_poll

Check out this online poll:

[jellybean]

I read somewhere that Thompson left the Senate because he was discouraged by the culture of congress. When Rudy Giuliani encountered the do-nothing, tax and spend culture of New York City politics he fought to change it and largely succeeded. Thompson retired from politics to a gig as a TV actor. Why should I have faith that he will accomplish ANYTHING in the White House?

You've been reading too many Giuliani talking points memos.

GOP loses another senator as Thompson calls it quits

But colleagues said he was hit hard by the death in January of his daughter, Elizabeth Thompson Panici, 38, following a heart attack. Thompson, 59, who has two other children, is divorced.

"I simply do not have the heart for another six-year term," Thompson said in a written statement. "Serving in the Senate has been a tremendous honor, but I feel that I have other priorities that I need to attend to."

Sign the Fred Thompson for President Petiton

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[dirtboy]

The way he was steamrollered by John Glenn during the Senate campaign hearings makes me wonder about his leadership capabilities.

Y'all are good at repeating the same lies talking points, I'll give you that. I guess it beats thinking. If you thought, you might question why you support a liberal like Rudy.

Fred got backstabbed by Glenn but still did a lot of good in his hearings.

[STARWISE]

I voted .. thanks!

The results are VERY interesting .. ;)

http://www.gopstrawpolls.com/pollresults.php?refer=stubbornfacts.us

[SE Mom]

Voted:)

Run, Fred, RUN!!!

[WarEagle]

He played himself in "Marie".

[steve8714]

Thompson-Watts couldn't be beat.

[Van Jenerette]

...reading

[joylyn]

I live in New York City and have seen the changes firsthand, so my guess is I know at least as much as you do about Rudy's accomplishments.

Unfortunately, it's a myth that the president just orders things to be done and they get done. That may be how the executive branch works in theory, but hardly in practice. If Thompson was discouraged in the Senate, just wait till he tries to set direction for the Department of State, Homeland Security, Social Security and all the rest.

Thompson strikes me as a nice guy. I like him well enough; I just don't see him as a strong president.