Posted by Mark Silva at 6:30 am CDT
One of the lesser-noticed guests at that Washington dinner where Karl Rove danced to hip-hop lyrics this week was another, far more entertainment-oriented Republican, Fred Thompson, former Tennessee senator and active screen star, who plays the prosecutor in television's Law and Order.
The draft-Thompson movement also is alive and well among fans of the Tennessean attempting to convince him to seek the GOP's presidential nomination in 2008.
This just in from the folks at the draft-Thompson movement:
"The official website of the Draft Fred Thomson 2008 Committee, www.fred08.com, is receiving more than 500 emails each day from people across the country hoping Fred Thompson joins the presidential race. On Thursday alone, the website received over 1000 responses of support.
"Voters are tired of trying to settle for the good and are increasingly looking for the best," said Dean Rice, treasurer of the Draft Fred Thompson 2008 Committee. "Polls show growing numbers are looking past the current field and focusing squarely on Fred Thompson. His principled leadership, optimism and vision remind people of where the bar for statesmanship should be set."
The USA Today/Gallup poll released this week showed Thompson in a strong third place just behind former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Senator John McCain. Other national polls show similar momentum.
Without even being an announced candidate, Fred Thompson is winning straw polls in key states like Georgia and South Carolina; and the Draft Fred Thompson 2008 Committee received the support for a Thompson candidacy from three major statewide officials in Texas this week – Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, Texas Railroad Commissioner Victor Carrillo, and Republican National Commiteewoman Denise McNamara.
"With the strong support of our co-chairs, Congressmen Duncan and Wamp, as well as, the growing number of key leaders on the committee, the draft effort is gaining strength every day." Rice said.
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Comments
When Dobson says Thompson is not christian enough
to vote for, than it is time for the tax status of these religious groups needs to change. They enjoy tax free status and then use their flock for political reasons. Hit them where it hurts and see how fast their willing to drop their beliefs for money.
Posted by: bill r. | March 31, 2007 7:20 AM
Thompson would make a good candidate.
But not as good as...
Barack Obama!
Posted by: Doug Zook | March 31, 2007 7:52 AM
bill r,
If you want a good laugh go to Dobson's Focus web site. There can read about "curing" your kids' homosexuality and all about the "attack" on marriage.
And yeah, you're right about their tax status.
Posted by: Doug Zook | March 31, 2007 9:04 AM
Does anybody know anything about this guy... I mean besides his "Law & Odor" gig?
"principled leadership, optimism and vision"
That's so vague, it could also describe me. Maybe I sould be the next Prez!
Posted by: Leo T | March 31, 2007 9:22 AM
He defended Nixon during the Watergate hearings, unsuccessfully I might add.
Posted by: bb | March 31, 2007 12:23 PM
He also dated Tucker Carlson's mom...not sure if that was before or after he dumped his first wife.
Posted by: bb | March 31, 2007 12:25 PM
Still, all his positions seem identical to Bush's positions, so the Wingnuts will love him regardless of what Dobson says.
(And, anyway, Dobson seems to be enamoured with Newt, who makes Thompson look like a choir boy.)
Posted by: bb | March 31, 2007 12:28 PM
Bill R.
Are you going to say the same for OPeration PUSH, the unions, etc...?
Leo T.
He was a senator for I believe 8 years, more than the top 3 democratic canidates. Pretty much your conservative economic and social republican, but not off the fringes like Dobson. I would consider more of a cost cutter, than a tax cutter - probably why he backed McCain instead of Bush in 2000
Posted by: Terry | March 31, 2007 12:38 PM
Leo T for Pesident!!!
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | March 31, 2007 2:57 PM
I have met Mr. Thompson twice while he ran for TN senator. About two months apart. Both were casual meetings when he arrived in his pickup truck. In the first I introduced myself and we chatted for not more than a couple of minutes. In the second, about two months later, when I walked up to him he not only remembered my name but what we had chatted about. He came across as very much of a 'John Wayne' figure and when he spoke you could tell he was speaking from his heart and personal beliefs, not what he thought the audience of the moment wanted to hear.
As an attorney he has knocked around DC more than just a minor role in the Watergate Hearings.
Look, from an Electorial College viewpoint, neither Guillani (sp?) or McCain appear to be well thought of the The South. Thompson, with is 'good old boy' personality is going to play rather well. Hey, he dated Lori Morgan between her husbands.
If the GOP takes The South, Florida, California and at least one other heavily traditionally DC party state he would, in all likelihood, be the next President.
A Fred Thompson/Colin Powell ticket might be unbeatable. Mr. Powell only has a slight taint of Iraq on him and is an Afro-American many 'whites' seem not consider to be such.
Posted by: Ken | March 31, 2007 8:55 PM
Terry....Unions are not tax exempt. I am not aware of who or what operation push is but if they are a religious orginization enjoying a tax exempt status and they push a political agenda then they need to have their status changed.
Posted by: bill r. | March 31, 2007 8:58 PM
Logic Prisoner,
You'd vote for that pinko commie Leo for President?
I'd vote to put Juanito and his overblown ego on death row,but only if I could personally rub him out.
Fred Thompson is a b-list actor at best,so I guess he'd fit right in with the other GOP actors running for Prez.
Posted by: John E. | March 31, 2007 9:57 PM
They enjoy tax free status and then use their flock for political reasons. Hit them where it hurts and see how fast their willing to drop their beliefs for money.
Posted by: bill r. | Mar 31, 2007 7:20:53 AM
Where were you hypocrite bill r., when Pinocchio Hussein Obamas'
church sang the praises of an admitted drug user to hold the highest office in the land ? You left wing socialist sure are doing a good job of destroying that democratic party. It seems like every Pres. election cycle the goofy left flushes the democratic parties' chances right down the toilet. You folks just don't get it, the majority of Democrats just don't buy your hard left crap, but please by all means keep it up, your help to the Republicans is priceless.
Posted by: Don B | March 31, 2007 11:07 PM
And bb makes another idiotic statement;
"He defended Nixon during the watergate hearings"
Actually Thompson served as co-chief counsel to The Senate Watergate Committee and ask Mr. Butterfield the famous question about listening devices in the Oval office.
Again,bb makes a fool out of herself.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | March 31, 2007 11:25 PM
Since when does a psychiatrist (Dobson), who runs a non-profit organiztion to help families, have to censor his politcal views? Should the Rev. Jesse Jackson or the Rev. Al Sharpton be censored, too? I don't agree with everything any one of the above say, &/or endorse. Wanna call for all the black churches in this country to lose their tax exempt status when they help Democratic Politicians campaign in their church services?
Free speech for the Left but not for the Right?
I thought this was America.
Posted by: bandster | April 1, 2007 12:20 AM
Don B.& Bandster.........Read my lips......
If ANY religious group is promoting or excluding
who one should vote for...than they need to lose their tax exemption. I don't care what side of the aisle they promote, they need to lose their tax exemption. That is the law and it should be followed and upheld. I don't know how to make that any clearer..it is not my side your side..it is the law.
Posted by: bill r. | April 1, 2007 4:12 AM
A Fred Thompson/Colin Powell ticket might be unbeatable. Mr. Powell only has a slight taint of Iraq on him and is an Afro-American many 'whites' seem not consider to be such.
Posted by: Ken | Mar 31, 2007 8:55:12 PM
Ken,
That could be true. Or Powell and somebody on a ticket. Powell is seems to be totally UN-tainted by Iraq -- not quite fair, IMO -- and he is liked and respected accross party lines.
Terry,
You're right, in terms of experience, Thompson has at least as much as some, and more than others in the field. "Experience" whatever that reall means, isn't a selling point these days anyway.
Posted by: Leo T | April 1, 2007 8:25 AM
Bill R.
Operation PUSH is Jesse Jackson's organization.
As far as tax staus of unions - funds spent on lobbying gov't officials, you might want to double check. I think most unions are 501-c-5's. I may be wrong, but double check. I believe also that even if they are taxable entities, the funds they, just like any other corporation, spend on political activities are not tax deductible.
Posted by: Terry | April 1, 2007 3:49 PM
Terry...If operation push is enjoying a tax exemption as a religious entity, then they should be held to the same standards.
Posted by: bill r. | April 1, 2007 5:36 PM
Over 4,000 volunteers research daily to bring any information you could possibly ask for all in one place and free of charge....Drop on by draftfredthompson.com
(DEFENDED Nixon!?!? Fred was one of the prosecutors that found out what was really going on...You REALLY need to stop on by. ;- )
Posted by: Chris | April 1, 2007 10:11 PM