Thompson: "I'm Not Particularly Interested in Running for President"

By: John Bentley
Topics: Fred Thompson

(CBS)

From CBS News' John Bently:

BURLINGTON, IOWA -- It's a question that's been asked of Fred Thompson by the press and pundits for months now, and it was finally asked by an Iowa voter today: "I don't know if you have the desire to the president," said Todd Chelf, a resident of Burlington, Iowa. "If I caucus for you next week, are you still going to be there two months from now?"

"I'm not particularly interested in running for president," admitted Thompson. "But I think I'd make a good president...I have the background, capability, and concern to do this and I'm doing it for the right reasons."

Thompson also railed against those candidates who announced their plans to run for president earlier than he did.

"For some of them, it was when they were juniors in high school," he said. When asked if he was referring to any specific candidates, Thompson declined to name names, but "if those shoes fit, people can wear them."

After he finished his answer, Thompson addressed Chelf directly. "I hope I haven't talked you out of anything," he said.

He hadn't, but he also hadn't totally convinced him of anything, either. "His laid back style sometimes seems to me a lack of desire," said Chelf, who said he would also be attending Romney and Huckabee events this weekend. "I'm one of those Iowa Republicans who hasn't made up his mind yet, but definitely leaning this direction."

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by tradamerica1 December 30, 2007 3:55 PM EST: Bently is destined to be an asterisk in journalism history. His partisan propaganda reveals a seething hate for fair and balanced reporting. The day is coming when someone will throw more than snowballs at him. Maybe a series of youtube videos featuring dishonest journalists getting punched out will be the next fad. Millions of hits :-); Reply to this comment


by af9115 December 29, 2007 11:54 PM EST: John Bently you really are a spin doctor. I do think this kind of reporting will get you a nice office naxt to the boiler room, but, then again look at who you are spinning for.; Reply to this comment


by af9115 December 29, 2007 11:48 PM EST: If you read the whole transcript of the statements, you will find that you are very very ill informed. Here we go again with twisting Fred''s words to make only you look inept. Can you not even look at the speech before you run out with your false spin.; Reply to this comment


by winghunter December 29, 2007 9:35 PM EST: What a misleading title and spin of what actually was stated.

AND what a genuine and correct answer of an assinine question from a poor soul who has done no research on his own at all.

Don''t be caught ignorant of the facts:

Fred Thompson''s records, solutions and positions can be found here;
http://www.fred08.com

You can find Rudolph''s, Romney''s and the Huckster''s real records here;
http://sayanythingblog.com/readers/entry/candidate_research_know_who_youre_voting_for/; Reply to this comment


by alisuen December 29, 2007 9:21 PM EST: As a voter that was at the rally I thought Fred answered in a professional fashion. Fred is taking a break form the celebrity style many other candidates are running with. Fred is in the fashion of our founding fathers. He is a candidate that other people thought would make a good leader. More than that he is a person that you would want to represent you in larger issues.

I heard the question and I was glad someone asked it. Fred answered like a man who was at a job interview, which is what this is. He let it be known that he would not put himself through the rigors of a campaign, lack of family time, lack of jobs, and a general lack of peace if he were not interested in being elected. We too often look for the glamorous leader with pomp and circumstance and overlook the true candidate that would BEST fit the job.

Like most things in life the person that wants the job the most is not the best candidate to fill the post.; Reply to this comment


by fdt2008 December 29, 2007 9:21 PM EST: CBS proves they are "See BS" yet again!

THE REAL STORY:
http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2007/12/thompson-not-pa.html

Let it be known that John Bently purposely framed this story into something it is not. In short, he is a liar.; Reply to this comment


by shockemdores December 29, 2007 8:22 PM EST: Once again, the media takes (purposely?) a snippet out of a larger Thompson statement and twists it in a negative fashion. Fred, somewhat ironically, understands that the presidency is not a position of celebrity, but rather, is one of solemn duty towards betterment of this nation. Read his entire statement here (as you know CBS and the other MSM establishments are either too lazy or too scared to post it):

http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=M mZjNTE1ZTY1ZDJmYjI3MTQ0ZTE2NjA3YmJiNjYxYTg=; Reply to this comment


by joshluke2003 December 29, 2007 7:58 PM EST: Fred Thompson has the same credentials that John McCain has to be president, a voting record. That''s frankly not enough for most of America I can guarantee. I have a voting record too (on state issues) which is better than both of them, as they both supported, and in McCain''s case wrote the McCain-Fiengold law. Not only does Fred have a lack of zeal, he has no credentials to be President. I like his accent and jokes though!; Reply to this comment


by af9115 December 29, 2007 6:31 PM EST: Fred Thompson was drafted by those of us who want honesty, intelligence, integrity, class and experience in our nest president. I know Fred will only tell the truth to the American public which has been a major gripe of the current administration. He knows that sometimes the truth hurts but is necessary for the American people to have faith in our Government. It has been said time and again in the MSM that Fred is lazy, that he doesn''t want the job badly enough and etc. Those reports are to fill in for a lack of baggage on Fred Thompson''s part. There is nothing to attack him on. He has the same value system now that he did all his life. He will carry that into the whitehouse. The Title of this article is a prime example of the MSM spin. Everyone knows that alot of people only read the headlines. It would have been more honest and credible to state his whole statement together rather than misleadingly tilt it to Thompson isn''t interested in becoming the president. You sir are a part of the media problem that Fred is fighting against. He''ll see you on January 3 with a smile on his face.; Reply to this comment


by alekmassey December 29, 2007 6:28 PM EST: Running for president does look like a drag, having everyone expect you to pander to them and being scrutinized to no end. Being called unflattering names by total strangers. I think running for president would totally suck, too.

Fred acts like Cincinnatus. The roman farmer who was pressed into being the Roman leader when they were attacked, then went back to farming after victory was achieved instead of assuming the throne. Sort of like the way Washington did, he could have been king.; Reply to this comment