Free Republic

Over 1,000 New York Republicans crowded into the ballroom of a Times Square Sheraton Thursday night to hear from presidential contenders Rudy Giuliani and John McCain, but the real elephant in the room was immigration reform. Neither candidate addressed the issue in their speeches, even though rank-and-file conservatives spent Thursday talking about little else. McCain, of course, helped shape the immigration compromise that has so many conservatives in open revolt. For his part, Giuliani issued a statement in which he didn't really take a position on the bill, which would provide amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants living in the...

Actor And Former Senator Explains Why He Could Be President, But Won't Commit To Running. Fred Thompson isn't officially in the race for the Republican nomination yet, but the former Tennessee Senator and "Law & Order" star is sounding a lot like a candidate. "If I didn't think I could win in November I wouldn't think about it," Thomspon said in an interview with Scott Baker for Breitbart.tv. Thompson said he "had some thoughts" about when he might officially jump into the crowded field of Republican candidates, but he said he wasn't "ready to talk about that too much." But,...

WASHINGTON, April 18 — Former Senator Fred D. Thompson of Tennessee is not a declared presidential candidate, but he demonstrated his political star power Wednesday by drawing an audience of dozens of House Republicans searching for an alternative to their party’s current presidential field... Those who met with Mr. Thompson... said... he... promised an unconventional candidacy should he become a contender. Many of those on hand were eager to see him start campaigning as a more conservative, palatable alternative to the current crop of Republican candidates, and one who could have wide appeal in Southern states... As they left the...

WASHINGTON — All three GOP U.S. House members from East Tennessee are backing the new "Draft Fred Thompson" for president committee, and Bank East in Knoxville will handle its campaign fund. A filing with the Federal Election Commission shows the committee treasurer is Dean Rice of Knoxville, a former aide to Thompson and Knoxville Rep. John J. Duncan Jr., and that Bank East is the depository. Duncan and Reps. Zach Wamp of Chattanooga and David Davis of Johnson City are aiding the effort. Davis is the newest addition to the pro-Thompson camp; he earlier had not endorsed a candidate for...

Former Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker (R-Tenn.) is contacting powerbrokers in the Republican Party to build support for a 2008 presidential campaign by his one-time protégé, former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.). Baker, who Wednesday made a visit to the Senate, was asked by several Republicans about his involvement on Thompson’s behalf. “He said, ‘I am making a few calls and I think it’s a great idea,’” said one Senate Republican who heard Baker discuss his efforts to advance Thompson’s prospects. One Republican who discussed a possible bid with Thompson described his interest and Baker’s queries as “a friendly exploration.” Baker...