daily Fred Thompson

A smattering of Fred Thompson news:

Thompson also has begun inoculating himself against potential attacks from rivals. During a question-and-answer session with House members on April 18, Thompson was asked about his colorful dating history from 1985 to 2002, while he was divorced.

"I was single for a long time, and, yep, I chased a lot of women," Thompson replied, chuckling, according to an attendee who took notes. "And a lot of women chased me. And those that chased me tended to catch me."

Awesome.

The rest of the article talks about trying to run a different sort of presidential campaign. That might actually fly this year, because of the condensed primary calendar. Plus, Fred's the kind of guy that could get away with doing things a different way; he was, after all, drafted. Indeed in 1994, he revitalized a flagging campaign by buying a red pickup and driving it around Tennessee. Some derided it as a gimmick, but it worked because it was authentic. Fred kept driving the pickup after the campaign.

2. Stu Rothenberg:

I'll admit that I have had a hard time warming to the idea that former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.), whom I first saw as minority counsel during the Senate Watergate hearings and whose TV and movie credits include "Die Hard 2," "The Hunt for Red October" and "Law & Order," would run for president. And it seemed, at least initially, even more difficult to imagine him as the Republican nominee next year.

One of the reasons I tend to shy away from doing too much predicting about Democratic primaries is that I understand my lack of insight. Rothenberg is basically admitting to this.

Regardless of whether it is deserved, Thompson earned a reputation around the nation's capital as someone who didn't like to raise money and who didn't have a high energy level in the Senate. When he had the chance to be handed a second full term, he turned it down, choosing instead to return to his acting career.

Obviously, there is a world of difference between an executive position such as president and a legislative one, and if he does enter the GOP contest, Thompson could say that he's a "doer," not a "talker," who would feel more comfortable in an executive post.

Former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie, who now chairs the Virginia GOP, recently told me that criticism of Thompson is not always on the mark, and some of it is reminiscent of criticism aimed at former President Ronald Reagan.

Thompson is a leader; the Senate is a difficult place for leaders. The money thing is certainly an issue, but will alleviate when Republican money men and women realize that the grassroots strongly support Fred. Quite a few of the folks donating to McCain and Giuliani are doing so because they look(ed) like winners.

3. Land Commish Jerry Patterson, Railroad Commish Victor Carrillo, four state senators, and almost 60 House members have signed on to encourage Fred to run for president.

Patterson will be surprisingly strong in a statewide primary.

Posted by Evan @ 04/30/07 11:52 PM

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Comments

I can't wait for Thompsonvsworld When is the launch date?

Good thoughtful commentary as usual.

Posted by Blake @ 05/01/07 11:52 AM

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