ABC Radio

ABC Radio is reporting :

Former senator, commentator and actor Fred Thompson will provide regular opinion and analysis on ABCRadio.com. The network says the “Fred Thompson Report” will discuss issues and events that affect all Americans. Audio versions of many of the commentaries will also be made available on ABCRadio.com.

Beth Harwell Joins Draft Fred Thompson Team

The Draft Fred Thompson 2008 Committee is reporting that former Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Beth Harwell has joined the committee.

Rep. Harwell said, “I have known Sen. Thompson for many years. He is a true statesman in every sense of the word, and I can think of no one better suited to be our next President. I look forward to continuing to encourage him to run.”

Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr., co-chairman of the Draft Committee, said, “Beth’s reputation in Tennessee and in Republican circles across the country is one of tremendous leadership and integrity. She was an excellent state party chair and has proven herself to be an outstanding fundraiser. We are very fortunate to have her working with us.”

Is Fred Thompson Pro-Life? part 3

Now listen to Romney in 2002...

Now you decide who is Pro-Life.

Is Fred Thompson Pro-Life? part 2

The Romney campaign is at it again!

A video of Fred Thompson answering a debate question about his abortion position. This video is being offered as proof that Thompson was "pro-choice" in 1994.

Background: Videos of Romney squerming under the light about abortion rights in Mass. when he ran for the US Senate and later as Govenor. Romney has a credibility and is trying to justifiy his positions by using the childish retort, "everyone else was doing it". The problem is that not everyone was doing it. You have to wonder who was the bright and shining start in the Romney compaign came up with this simplistic analysis.

The key phrase in Thompson's answer is this one: "I do not believe that the federal government ought to be involved in that process." That sentence is the summary of all he says next, and shows he is opposed to Roe v. Wade, which represented the federalization of what had been a state-level issue.

He then says he is opposed to federal funding for abortion and supports the states' right to regulate abortion - both are federalist and pro-life positions - and he opposes the federal government criminalizing abortion. Again, a federalist answer.

Memo to Mitt Romney

This article by Thomas Lifson at AmericanThinker.com requires no comments from me.

Writing in the subscription-only Political Diary at Opinionjournal.com, John Fund recounts a moment from the weekend's White House Correspondents' Dinner that suggests our own J. Peter Mulhern is once again way ahead of the pack. Last month, Peter wrote a "Memo to Mitt":

No doubt the latest Gallup Poll came as a shock to you, Governor. It must be very disappointing after all your hard work to have a guy like Fred Thompson eating your lunch as soon as he mentions in passing that he might consider giving serious thought to the possibility of studying a run for the White House. It's time to review your options and your party's. [snip]

Get Fred on the horn and offer an alliance. Offer to run for Vice President as his running mate. A Thompson-Romney team would probably sweep all the competition for the Republican nomination aside.

Senator Thompson, who is sixty-four years old, might very well have no interest in serving more than one term as President, which would make this arrangement particularly advantageous for you.

Fred Thompson Making Waves in Louisiana

Today I have been overwhelmed by the number of articles from various states discussing the Fred Thompson for President campaign. This article reviels the growing concern of politicans who are conservative and they jumped out to endorse Giuliani or Romney who have very social liberal pasts.

Rudy Giuliani is the tough guy...What's not to like?

Plenty, for conservatives. That's why hard-liners are questioning Giuliani's ambitions. He's sideways on key traditional Republican issues--abortion, gay rights and gun control--and he doesn't fit into the evangelical formula crafted by President Bush and political consultant Karl Rove.

Despite those obstacles, the Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg all-GOP poll shows Giuliani clocking in at 29%, compared to 15% for former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee--who's not even in the race--and 12% for Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

Two of Louisiana's top conservative voices--U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany of Lafayette and U.S. Sen. David Vitter of Metairie--have officially endorsed Giuliani, with caveats that they support the man but not necessarily his message. And a lot of Cajun Catholics in South Louisiana and fundamentalists farther north aren't happy.

"I'm disappointed and outraged," says the Rev. Gene Mills, executive director of Louisiana Family Forum, an epicenter for Christian public policy work. "Boustany and Vitter ran on a pro-life platform with traditional values and built a constituency based on those beliefs. Rudy hasn't stood on those platforms.

"[The endorsement] was premature and ill-advised. The whole race could implode at any time."

Why would Boustany and Vitter, who is Giuliani's campaign chairman for southern states, take such a leap? They'd better hope the payoff is worth the gamble, waging their reputations on a Big Apple Republican maverick.

During the past two election cycles, Louisiana's GOP congressional delegation has been a one-horse bunch. They were loyal to President Bush, backing him wholeheartedly and without fear. With no vice president in the field and no heir apparent, this is a different race.

Congressmen Jim McCrery of Shreveport and Rodney Alexander of Quitman have endorsed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, the Mormon who recently cleared $23 million in the latest election cycle compared to Giuliani's $15 million.

While Richard Baker of Baton Rouge has yet to place his bet, gubernatorial candidate Bobby Jindal of Kenner could stay away from the track altogether.

"The campaign I'm focused on is my campaign to bring Louisiana voters the fresh start for our state they're demanding," Jindal says.

Baker, however, could make an endorsement later this year. He has taken several meetings with Romney, according to spokesperson Michael DiResto, but is "very interested" in Thompson's possible candidacy and has a face-to-face meeting scheduled. Baker largely has reserved judgment because none of the candidates has detailed agendas.

"He feels good that he hasn't jumped out there at a time when you could see the emergence of a candidate like Fred Thompson," DiResto says.

That polls are already lining up one year from Louisiana's primary and 19 months from the election isn't unusual, given the political climate. There's a potential windfall from jumping in early and securing a spot at the table during policy development.

This is an interesting analysis of the state of politics in Louisiana.

Fred Thompson's Secret Weapon

This article David Brody of CBN is interesting.

If Fred Thompson gets into the presidential race (which pretty much everyone expects him to do), he's defintely going to be a serious player. He has a lot of advantages but one of his biggest may be his wife. From all accounts, Jeri Thompson is very smart and media savvy. She's been a media consultant and has worked in GOP circles for years. Talk about a top notch pairing! If Americans go for this, it could be two for the price of one. You get a conservative politician turned actor turned politician again...and you get a potential First Lady who could end up being one of the smartest and dynamic the country has ever seen. The Thompson's have two small children. (4 and 6 months old)

I met her Saturday night at the White House Correspondents dinner. I was struck by her presence and self assurance. She comes across as not only very nice but as a player in this 2008 presidential race. And she tells me she reads The Brody File! That confirms her intellect.

Read the full article!

Kent State Assesses Fred Thompson

The online version of the Daily Kent Stater has a fairly good opinon piece about Fred Thompson for President.

Currently, Thompson polls third in the Republican presidential field, behind former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Sen. John McCain, but ahead of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. That's quite a feat for someone who hasn't officially declared himself a candidate.
Thompson, who is better known for the character he played on television, served in the U.S. Senate from 1994 through 2003. While in the Senate, Thompson served as Chairman of the Senate Government Relations Committee, which he used to investigate irregularities in fundraising during the 1996 presidential election cycle.
But, instead of using his position to punish members of the opposite party, Thompson conducted a fair investigation - he was actually criticized by members of his own party for not finding more "dirt" to use against former President Clinton.

Read the full article by Matt White.

Fred Thompson to Appear at a GOP Fund Raiser in Virginia

This article appeared today in the Washington Post. Virginia is catching the Fred Thompson wave!!

Former senator Fred D. Thompson of Tennessee, a possible presidential contender and an actor who plays a tough guy on television, will headline a major fundraiser for the Virginia Republican Party, GOP officials announced Monday.

Thompson, who many Republicans believe could be a leading contender for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination if he runs, will speak at a party gala June 2 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

Shaun Kenney, spokesman for the Virginia Republican Party, said Thompson's visit is intended to invigorate the party faithful as they prepare for the fall election. The seats of all 140 Virginia state senators and delegates are up for election Nov. 6.

"We want to make sure we maintain our majorities and build upon them," Kenney said

Poll frenzy in California

This article appeared today in the SFGate.com. They are shocked that Fred is running strongly even before he has declared. California is catching the Fred Thompson wave!

California's Feb. 5, 2008, primary is only about nine months away, so it's time to look at some of the various polls that are bouncing around the state, worrying candidates and perplexing voters.

On the GOP side, a straw poll at last weekend's California Republican Assembly convention in Ontario showed that many of the states most conservative activists want to see former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson as the country's next president.

Thompson Listed 3rd in SC by Zogby

The new Zogby poll has Fred with 11% of the GOP support. Zogby states that McCains candidacy is in trouble in SC.

Fred Thompson has edged Mitt Romney out of the top three among South Carolinians likely to vote in the Republican primary early next year.

McCain leads among Republicans with 22% support, while Giuliani trails closely behind at 19%. And while he has not declared his candidacy, actor and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson is in third-place in the first Southern state to vote for President next year with 11% support, just ahead of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who receives 10% support.

At his point in the race, this is good news for Fred Thompson. Twenty seven percent of SC like GOP voters had not made up their minds. I expect Fred Thompson to pickup a large chunk of them plus, the conservative vote is split amoung several candidates. By the time we get to the election, the race will be down to three people.

College Activists Supporting Fred Thompson

Knoxville—Colleges and universities around the country are beginning to catch the Fred Thompson wave!! Several dedicated Draft Fred Thompson supporters and members of the local chapter of College Republicans on the University of Tennessee Knoxville campus have been working hard to get the word out about the Draft Fred Thompson Rally.

We put flyers on sidewalks, bulletin boards, poles and any place that we can legally post them. So far we have distributed over 700 flyers and have plans for several hundred more. If your group would like like to distribute the flyer you can download it here.

Handing out flyers is a great way to get the message out, but you can be creative. At UT we have a very large rock that is frequently painted, sometimes several times a day! Our Draft Fred Thompson activists got busy and painted the great rock late Sunday evening for the early risers on the UT campus. Fred Thompson Rocks!


If you are a college student working to Draft Fred Thompson for President send me an email with copy and pictures to your webmaster at AnotherRonaldReagan.com. If accepted, I will feature your university and your activities.

Fred Thompson on Gun Control

Fred Thompson penned an article "Signs of Intelligence?" for National Review on April 20th in the wake of the VT murders:

One of the things that's got to be going through a lot of peoples' minds now is how one man with two handguns, that he had to reload time and time again, could go from classroom to classroom on the Virginia Tech campus without being stopped. Much of the answer can be found in policies put in place by the university itself.

Read his Article at National Review!

Fred Thompson on Federalism

Fred Thompson responds to conservative critism of his opposition to tort reform.

Adhering to the principles of Federalism is not easy. As one who was on the short end of a couple of 99-1 votes, I can personally attest to it. Federalism sometimes restrains you from doing things you want to do. You have to leave the job to someone else – who may even choose not to do it at all. However, if conservatives abandon this valued principle that limits the federal government, or if we selectively use it as a tool with which to reward our friends and strike our enemies, then we will be doing a disservice to our country as well as the cause of conservatism.

Read the article!

GOP & Immigration

After years of the GOP listening to the media and the left. The Republican base is making its collective wisdom known on immigration. Giuliani might be beginning to get it!!

At the annual Lincoln Day dinner here last Saturday, Representative Tom Tancredo, Republican of Colorado, received some of the loudest applause from the 1,000 party loyalists in attendance as he railed against illegal immigrants.

“We are destroying the concept of citizenship itself,” Mr. Tancredo said.

“America, and indeed Western civilization, are in a crisis.” Without mentioning him by name, he took Mr. Giuliani to task for past policies that have “encouraged more illegals to cross our borders.” When Mr. Giuliani was asked to clarify his views on immigration at the town meeting, he emphasized enforcing the law but stayed away from any kind of blanket condemnation of illegal immigrants.

Mr. Giuliani’s approach is similar to the one proposed by President Bush, advocating an orderly flow of immigrants by providing a clear path to citizenship and thereby easing the pressure at the border.

John McCain got this message back in March.

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.

To read the compete article.

South Carolina Republicans

This this exerpt is from the The State on April 1st. It is important because South Carolina is an early primary state and one that Fred Thompson will need to win to become president.

South Carolina Republicans are in a funk.

Nothing seems to be going right.

Check the list.

They’re displeased with President Bush, disturbed by developments in Iraq and hacked off at congressional Republicans for spending
taxpayers’ money like a “drunken sailor.” Moreover, they’re unhappy with their choices for president, causing some to start shopping around for an alternative.

Enter former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., whose name has popped up at several GOP precinct meetings over the past couple of weeks. At a recent Horry County gathering, Thompson won a straw poll, handily beating all of the announced candidates. “He won big time,” said Horry County Auditor Lois Eargle, earlier a John McCain supporter.

A USA Today/Gallup poll placed Thompson third nationally behind former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and McCain, the U.S. senator from Arizona. Francis Marion University political scientist Neal Thigpen said Thompson’s name was mentioned by several folks at a precinct
meeting in Florence.

“Republicans are not happy with their choices in any way, shape or fashion,” Thigpen said. “The party is in need of someone with glamour, someone who sparkles, someone who could put it together for Republicans.

Read the full article at http://www.thestate.com/169/story/23955.html.

NY Sun Politics

Here is an interesting quote by the NY Sun Politics:

Still, Fred Thompson remains the wild card. The more polls that stack up, the clearer it is that he cuts significantly into Mr. Giuliani's support.

He also negates the logic behind the Romney candidacy, but Mitt doesn't have far to fall.

No comment really necessary.

Thompson Confuses the Media

USA TODAY reports what we in Tennessee have always known:

Fred Thompson is "not a hard-core ideologue:"

Archives at the University of Tennessee offer a clue to what kind of president former senator Fred Thompson might be if he decides to join the group of Republicans seeking the White House. When surveyed by Republican leaders in 1997 about what issues he wanted to push, Thompson, "skipped over abortion, flag burning and other hot-button conservative favorites. His bold check marks sought a reformist litany: a balanced budget, term limits for Congress, campaign-finance restrictions and tax-code simplification. Even changing the federal budget to a two-year document ranked in Thompson's top 10. 'He is not a hard-core ideologue,' said Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., who began a draft-Thompson effort in March. 'He transcends ideology.' "

The liberal press is confused by Fred. Fred is a man who again and again sides with a Federalist constitutional interpretation. This puts him on "wrong" side of the issues with liberals and conservatives.

Senator Bob Corker Quote

The NY Times stated the following quote from Bob about the possibility of Thompson running:

"Seven weeks ago, I would have put it [Thompson Running for President] very low,” Senator Bob Corker said of the odds of a Thompson bid. "Four weeks ago,
when I talked on the phone to both he and his wife, I would have put it at
50-50. “Last Wednesday, I talked to them both again on the phone, and I have
to tell you I think he is very interested. I think he is at the 75- to 80-percent level at this point. I really do."

Fred Meets with Congress

Today, Fred Thompson met with 53 Republican congressmen on Capital Hill. Rep. Zach Wamp,R-Chattanooga, says that they had expected 40 members and were pleased with the turn out. Also five of the top members of the Republican leadership were in attendance.

Sen. Thompson answered questions for the members including ones about his first marriage and subsequent divorce. Thompson told them he had married young — at age 17 — and loved his wife, and they had three children. While they divorced, they remained friends and still are friends. Thompson was divorced for a more than fifteen years, and eventually married, Jeri Kehn. They married in 2002 and now have two small children. This meeting is considered by many to be the final steps, before he announces his candidacy for the presidency.

Those in the meeting said, Thompson spoke for about a half hour about his personal and political background and then answered questions on a variety of policy issues including national security and immigration.

More to come on this issue...

Cavuto on Thompson

Fox Show host Cavuto might have made the most interesting observation of Thompson to date.

“It's a little thing, said Cavuto… but it struck me and my executive producer Gary Schreier as we greeted him this week: He came alone. Alone — no handlers, no enablers, no key people, no any people. Just Fred, by himself. And Gary and I are thinking, hey this guy is tracking sometimes second in GOP polls for president.

For president! Of the United States!! And we're looking for his entourage, his hangers-on, you know, the guy who holds his briefcase. Another, his cell phone, still another, his coat. Someone who polices his words, advises him on statements to the press. Nope. No briefcase guy. Or cell phone dude. No policy wonk or statement checker. No people at all.

Get this: I had more people than he had people. Which tells you something about Fred, I guess: The image things that seem to matter to others don't much matter to Fred. Surely, I'm thinking to myself, this will all change if he runs for president. Even the loserest of candidates has loser lemmings. Lots of them!

But I wonder: Maybe Fred would be the guy who puts less stock in handlers and more in himself. He'd be different, that's for sure. His people weren't saying that — Fred was. Before he shook my hand after our interview and walked out of this building... alone.”

The people wanted to shake things up… and that they have, in spades! However, not without a clear purpose - which they obviously have as well.

Thompson is expected to formally announce in May or June.

Run Fred Run!

Cal Thomas resently wrote in one of his columns about Fred Thompson.

He has Ronald Reagan's communication skills and speaks plainly in ways most people can understand. Anyone who has listened to him substitute for Paul Harvey on ABC News Radio senses that, in this, he follows in Reagan's footsteps. Radio is an intimate medium. People who are able to connect with a radio audience often can connect on TV and in person. Thompson, the actor, plays other people. On radio and in news interviews, he "plays" himself.
There's something else to like about Fred Thompson. He doesn't appear to be lusting after the job as if he needs it for his self-image. This, too, is much like Reagan, who knew who he was before becoming president and was the same after he left office.
It is said of Thompson that he has always "answered the call" of his country, whether it was serving as minority counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee, or in other capacities, including United States senator.
Some political "experts" think it is almost too late for any new candidate to announce for president. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich says he intends to wait until September before saying if he will run. Actually, waiting might be the best strategy for these Republicans. Conservative Republicans are restless about what they regard as a weak field. They want someone who can take on Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama and win.

Run Fred Run

Myth No #1: Thompson Can’t Raise Enough Money

Anti-Fred Thompson Myths
There is a lot of misinformation in the blogosphere about Fred Thompson. Over the next couple of weeks, I will try to systematically to confront these myths with facts and reason.

Myth No #1: Fred Thompson Can’t Raise Enough Money
Myth No. 1 : Fred Thompson is too late to raise enough money to compete with the GOP frontrunners has been making the rounds in the blogosphere. Let’s examine the facts from the first quarter campaign finance reports (Money Raised & Expenses for Jan-Mar 2007).

First, Romney has raised the most money ($23M), but he spent the most ($12M) and has the most debt ($2.3M). He has been trying to break out of the single digits to catch John McCain. Polls show he is supported by only 3-12% of the GOP.

McCain's presidential campaign raised $13M and burned $8 million during the first three months of 2007, leaving only $5.2 million in the bank. McCain peaked last fall and support has been steadily eroding since November.

By contrast, former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani reported cash on hand of $12M after spending 6M. Giuliani’s support is generally report ed in the high 20s and low 30s.

Fred Thompson has spent $0 and polls place his support between 10-15%. The real question becomes, how long will Fred need to raise the money to catch them. At the current rates of spending, McCain and Romney will be nearly out of money by the end of June. It is my opinion that current rates of spending are unsustainable by McCain & Romney. Their financial edge is gone. Giuliani has a serious lead in money and seems to be planning expenditures well. Normally it is the amount of funds available that determine name recognition. Fred already has a built in base of name recognition and a larger base that will recognize his face.

The next questions are “When will Thompson get into the race?” and “How long will Romney, McCain and Gingrich hang on?”.

New TIME poll

A new TIME poll, conducted by SRBI Inc., finds

While some Republicans have pinned their hopes on the fresh face of Mitt Romney, he's too fresh for most voters to have an opinion about him — though they have at least heard of him. In January, 58% said they had never even heard his name; that's down to just 23%. No doubt, however, he has some more introductions to make: 11% of respondents say they know "a great deal" about Romney, 28% know "some." More good news for Romney: those who do know him find him "likeable" (49% say it accurately describes him) and believe he is "a true conservative on family values" (39%), a victory for a campaign that's been struggling with the perception that the former governor is a late comer to those views.

This poll ignored Fred...hmm

New Poll Puts Thompson Solidly in Second Place

The Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll contacted 1,373 adults nationwide by telephone April 5- 9. There were several interesting findings in this poll. The report on the poll laminents the fall of John McCain and John Edwards in the poll. The poll also noticed that Fred Thompon is finding traction amoung Reagan conservatives.

The poll quotes some of the poll respondants.

"Thompson is a Reagan conservative, and that's what I want," said Robert Little,
a poll respondent in Duluth, Ga., who views other leading Republican candidates
as unreliable allies on social issues.

Giuliani …...............................29%
F. Thompson …......................15%
McCain …...............................12%
Romney …...............................8%
Gingrich.…...............................7%
Huckabee ….............................3%
T. Thompson …........................3%
Brownback …............................2%
Hunter …..................................2%
Tancredo ..................................2%
Someone else/ Don't know......17%

Giuliani is still down after Thompson's announcement that he was considering entry into the race. Romney and Gingrich are stuck in the single digits.

Commentary: Get The Buzz: Fred Thompson

Last month Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson stated in an interview with Chris Wallace that he is considering running for president. Since then Thompson has generated much interest among conservatives. Today, the The Washington Post reported that Thompson, “catapulted into the top tier of Republican presidential nomination hopefuls on the basis of a single TV interview a month ago.” In the same article, Iowa Republican Party Executive Director Chuck Laudner lauded Thompson as, “the biggest buzz in the state.”

Yesterday, The Tennessian indicated that 45 percent of Republican voters preferred Thompson to the other Republican presidential hopefuls. Matt Towery of InsiderAdvantage said, “What's surprising is his lead over possible opponents and the magnitude of support for a man who has only hinted at a run.” In this poll Rudy Giuliani received 15 percent; Newt Gingrich received 11 percent, followed by Senator John McCain at 10 percent.

Earlier this week, Robert Novak reported that Fred Thompson may be one step closer to becoming a presidential candidate after Congress returns from their Easter recess on April 18. He plans to meet privately with a large number of Republican members of the House. Novak indicated that many Republican member of the House backed Romney after former Speaker Dennis Hastert endorsed him. However, Romney is rapidly loosing support and many of Congressmen are now looking to support another candidate such as Fred Thompson.

Thompson announced today that he is suffering from cancer. The diagnosis was two years ago. He was not telling us to send him get-well-soon cards. He was telling us that he is getting ready to run for president and wanted to clear the decks before announcing it.

--CB

Fred Thompson Announces he has Cancer

The following is a statement from Thompson read on ABC News Radio today:

We have all seen the courageous battle that Elizabeth and John Edwards are fighting, and there are so many others. Fortunately, there are an increasing number of good stories because of the medical advances that have been made.

I have friends in politics, some in Congress, some running for President, and others who have successfully dealt with cancer. It is certainly no respecter of persons and totally non-partisan.That point was driven home to me about 2 1/2 years ago when, shortly after a routine physical, I was diagnosed with what the doctors call an indolent lymphoma. Of the 30-plus kinds of lymphoma this is a "good" kind, if there is such a thing. I have had no illness from it, or even any symptoms.

My life expectancy should not be affected. I am in remission, and it is very treatable with drugs if treatment is needed in the future—and with no debilitating side effects. "I am one of the lucky ones. There are many lucky ones today. And for all of our diversity, we share one thing in common—a deep appreciation for the fact that we live in the United States of America and have the best medicine and the best doctors the world has even known."

Ok, here are my thoughts: 1) This announcement is strong evidence that Fred Thompson is running for the Presidency. He is handling this issue before he announces. 2) I suspect he'll wait a couple of weeks for the media to explain the disease, and he will enter the race with this issue off limits. 3) This diagnois is 2 1/2 years old! If Fred Thompson was not running for president this would have been the reason for his withdrawal from consideration.

Fred Thompson is Running for President!

Fred Thompson stirs up conservative buzz

The Washington Post states that Fred Thompson's interest in the 2008 presidential race is generating enthusiasm among many Republicans, despite some conservative criticism of the "Law & Order" star's record. "He's the biggest buzz in the state," said Iowa Republican Party Executive Director Chuck Laudner. "A lot of our people want to see him come here. They see him with star power equivalent to [former New York Mayor] Rudy Giuliani, but he's conservative." In Dallas, conservative policy analyst Merrill Matthews said Mr. Thompson's name is on the lips of just about every conservative with whom he talks. (4/11/7)

Fred Thompson Leads Poll in Tennessee

The Tennessian reports that in a poll of 600 Republicans Fred Thompson is by far the most popular presidential candidate among Tennessee Republican voters, with 45 percent of those surveyed making him their top choice. The margin of error in the poll is 3% and was conducted March 31-April 1. Guiliani got 15%, Gingrich 11% and McCain 10%.

GOP Leadership Moving to back Thompson

Robert Novak reports that Fred Thompson’s progress toward becoming a Republican presidential candidate will take a step with the return of Congress from its Easter break when he meets privately with a large group of Republican House members. They had been moving toward support of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, led by former Speaker Dennis Hastert’s endorsement of Romney. But many have stepped back from Romney and are looking hard at Thompson. One member of the GOP leadership who had been prepared to endorse Romney is holding his fire while he considers Thompson.

Chattanooga Times Free Press Endorses Fred

Fred Thompson has not yet said if he is a presidential candidate, but a Chattanooga editorial page has joined a "draft Fred" movement with an endorsement of the actor and attorney 19 months before the election.

Fred Picks up Another Endorsement

Thompson has picked up endorsements from Missouri's state speaker Carl Bearden (R) and Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder (R), who are breaking from the state's political establishment. Gov. Matt Blunt (R) and former Sen. Jim Talent (R) have both endorsed Romney. Kinder becomes the first statewide official anywhere to endorse Thompson.

Evangelicals Warm to Fred Thompson

The top rung of Republican presidential candidates has too many flaws for social conservatives to offer any candidate their full support, but former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) could be just the man to fill that hole, according to evangelical leader Richard Land. read more

Thompson Changes the Race

Fred Thompson's 'consideration' of entering the GOP race, has transformed the race. Robert Novak writes about it in a column today.

Fox News Poll -Thompson in Third

The newest Fox News poll taken March 26-28 of 900 registered voters puts Fred Thompson at 9% behind Giuliani (36%) and McCain (20%). At six percent were supports of Gingrich and Romney.