GOP Presidential Race: Is Fred Thompson for Real?

This article written by Richard Sammon appeared at the Kiplinger Business Center site.

It's late and it won't be easy, but the stars may be aligned for the actor to have a serious run at the White House.

Fred Thompson is nearly ready to run for president, a prospect that would change the 2008 presidential race overnight. Revealing earlier this month that he has lymphoma in remission was a preparatory move, lowering the risk that the health issue might derail the campaign. His visit with Republican lawmakers this week to hear their thoughts on his running was also an indication that he is seriously inclined.

Republicans are already enthused about Thompson, an actor-turned-senator-turned-actor, who is better known to Americans than most other candidates. Speculation and media interest are keeping his star on the rise. He's running second in GOP polls, just behind ex-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and ahead of Arizona Sen. John McCain. It's an enviable position to be in, considering he has done essentially no campaigning or fund-raising.

Sure, some of that is due to name recognition from years in movies and on TV in macho roles, but it's also a reflection of the fact that 60% of Republicans say nobody else in the presidential race is really grabbing them. Still, a run won't be easy. Thompson is late to the money chase. His voting record representing Tennessee in the Senate from 1994 through 2002 won't please all Republicans, particularly his support of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance legislation that banned large soft money donations to the national parties. He'd have to deal with much wider media scrutiny if he ran, too, as well as negative opposition research from other candidates. Also, others may jump in: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia and Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska will wait until fall to decide whether to run.

Raising money would be the chief initial concern for Thompson. Close to $100 million is needed to be considered a credible national candidate in preparation for the front-packed primaries early next year. Thompson would have to score very well in the earliest tests in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, and that requires organization. Internet fund-raising would be critical to his campaign at first, allowing him to show broad appeal and to rise to the money level of other major candidates in the Republican race who have been raising, but also spending, for months now. A few single mega fund-raisers could also put him right in contention and possibly strip support from McCain, Giuliani and former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney in the process.

Unlike McCain, Thompson is not inextricably linked to the war in Iraq. That could help with Republicans who have grown frustrated with the Bush administration's war policy. He also has a generally conservative voting record that appeals to many Republicans who question the conservative credentials of the other top candidates. Hailing from the South is also a plus, as it has been in many modern presidential campaigns.

A Thompson brain trust? For a campaign, at least, he would be able to assemble a formidable and well-connected team, including former Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker and Bill Frist and Sen. Lamar Alexander, all from Tennessee, as well as Tennessee GOP Reps. Zach Wamp and John Duncan, both of whom have been working on a draft Thompson publicity campaign.

A decision by Thompson could come in a few weeks. He has several speaking engagements to Republican groups coming up in early May. These events are possibly the perfect opportunities for an announcement tour.

Fred Thompson Video

I found another video on YouTube about Fred Thompson!

Fox News Analysis of FDT

Run Fred, Run...Now!

Dick Morris and Eileen McGann published the following article about Fred Thompson this week:

For everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven -- even a time to declare one's presidential candidacy. And, for Fred Thompson, the time is now!

Momentum has been building for Thompson in the past six weeks. If he announces his presidency run in the next few weeks, he will coast easily into a berth in the Republican finals against Rudy Giuliani. But if he delays — as he shows signs of wanting to do -- he will miss the boat.

For many candidates, delay means that they don't have to stand out and be targets until later in the game. But for Thompson, delay could be fatal. The major negative against the former Tennessee senator is that he lacks the heart or the fire in the belly to compete and win. With Hillary Clinton looming as the expected Democratic nominee, victory is of surpassing importance to the Republican primary electorate. Republicans will not nominate someone who they think is ambivalent about running.

During his Senate tenure, Thompson's work habits were suspect. The New York Times recently (gently) noted that he was not known as one of the hardest working senators. The very fact that he left the Senate after only eight years in office raised suspicions that he was distracted by the allure of Hollywood and the joys of private life. Too long a delay in announcing his candidacy could fuel such speculation and create a negative that need not exist for the actor turned politician turned actor.

On paper, Fred Thompson looks like a nominee from, well, central casting. Invoking the legacy of Ronald Reagan, his communications skills hearken back to the era when the GOP right had a president so fluid, silken voiced and articulate that it could advance its agenda without compromise and still prevail. With Rudy Giuliani threatening to resurrect Rockefeller Republicanism in a modern incarnation, Thompson offers a refuge for pro-life, pro-gun, anti-gay Republicans.

The recent Supreme Court decision upholding Congressional legislation banning partial birth abortion and the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech will both ignite demands on the left for an aggressive drive to protect Roe v. Wade, and to legislate tougher gun controls. This Democratic offensive puts Rudy Giuliani in the middle and could erode support for his candidacy. On the other hand, it could fire the ranks of true believers and lead them to rally around a Fred Thompson candidacy.

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