Fred Thompson Lays Down The Law

(CBS)  The Skinny is Joel Roberts' take on the top news of the day and the best of the Internet.

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It was widely reported Wednesday that politician turned actor Fred Thompson was "testing the waters" for a possible presidential run, but advisers close to the former Tennessee senator cautioned that he had not made a final decision about entering the race for the GOP nomination.

However, in an interview in Thursday's USA Today, the Law & Order star makes clear that he's planning to run – and describes how he intends to do it.

"I can't remember exactly the point that I said, 'I'm going to do this,'" Thompson told the newspaper. "But when I did, the thing that occurred to me: 'I'm going to tell people that I am thinking about it and see what kind of reaction I get to it."

Thompson said he's planning a tech-savvy campaign that will use blogs, video posts and other Internet innovations "to cut through the clutter and go right to the people." He said using the Internet already "has allowed me to be in the hunt, so to speak, without spending a dime."

Even before his apparent confirmation that he's running, speculation about Thompson's intentions "sent ripples" through the Republican Party, according to The New York Times, with one of his GOP rivals even holding a strategy session on what to do about a Thompson campaign.

The Washington Post said Thompson's entry would have "an immediate impact" on the GOP race, adding a fourth name to the top tier of contenders that currently includes former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, Sen. John McCain and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney – all of whom have struggled to gain the trust of conservative Republicans.

The Post said Thompson will try to cast himself as the "true heir to the mantle of Ronald Reagan" – another actor turned politician – "and, if successful, would become a formidable candidate for the nomination."


Will He Stay Or Will He Go?

Fred Thompson is in. Paul Wolfowitz is out. And Attorney General Alberto Gonzales insists he's not going anywhere.

But what about Kobe Bryant?

In Los Angeles, at least, the future of the nine-time NBA all star is front-page news. The L.A. Times reports on a confusing series of events Wednesday where Bryant shocked Lakers fans by telling a radio show he wanted to be traded.

Then, after some cajoling by coach Phil Jackson and ex-Laker star Magic Johnson, Bryant had an apparent change of heart, telling two other radio shows he'd like to stay in L.A.

Finally, late in the day, the Times asked Bryant if he still wanted to be traded.

"Yes," he said.

For their part, the Lakers insist they have no interest in trading Bryant, who has four years and $88.6 million left on his contract.


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[mommajomma-2009]

liberal pukes are afraid of FOX news, AND Fred thompson. bye bye, Hitler-y, and osammabamma, and 400 dollar hair cut whats his name.

[realpatriot1]

Bush is a non-recovered alcoholic who has been rumored since 2003 of being on powerful anti-depressants prescribed by his physician.

He's not stupid, he's drugged and drunk.

[pakaal]

We have not had a President in the video age that has had a serious illness, the last were Eisenhower and Johnson. Reagan had some cancer issues that were treated.
Posted by frb01 at 03:41 PM : May 31, 2007

Reagan also had some Alzheimer's issues, which was VERY frightening for those of us watching his slow decay while he was still president. Not to mention the de facto president today - Cheney - has had no less than 4 heart attacks.

[pakaal]

Liberal pukes...looks like you have to wait another 8 years to throw a moron at the U.S. for president.
Posted by johnnik1 at 03:35 PM : May 31, 2007

You're so right johnnik1, because the Republicans have no less than ten morons ALREADY running for President! 11 if Thompson runs too. Oh, sorry, ten. I remembered, Ron Paul is in some ways surprisingly well-educated, so we have to take him off the list.

[gunnerv1]

Motherjones, you old Commie, welcome back, I see that you do fear Senator Thompson. I know that you want Billery so much you can almost taste her, she did go Rainbow didn't she?

[jolsonbear]

Thompsans longest career is that of a congressional lobbyist. He was behind the reccomendations for the bill that lead to the savings and loans scandal of the 80's.

[cfin5]

Fred needs to take a look at "HYDRAZINE SULFATE" for his lymphoma. And anyone with that condition for that matter. It inhibits the cancers ability to eat (glucose) and starves it. Simple as that. You will have to take it the rest of your life, but not unlike a diabetic needs to take insulin. You can't eat aged foods such as sausage and cheese as it disrupts the medicine. Trust only the doctor that invented it and his dosage recomendations, not the AMA.....I hope this helps anyone with lymphoma. Chemo sure as heck will not!

[frb01]

We have not had a President in the video age that has had a serious illness, the last were Eisenhower and Johnson. Reagan had some cancer issues that were treated. If and when he gets in, the press will talk it up. Lost in the era of the Clintons was Paul Tsongas, who I believe had the same disease, said he was cured at the time, but died within a year or two of the 1992 election. It will be an issue, and if he gets the nomination his VP choice will become more important.

[johnnik1]

Liberal pukes...looks like you have to wait another 8 years to throw a moron at the U.S. for president.

[mbcsmith]

It's not his prostate that is cancerous. He is being treated for lymphoma.

Posted by barbaraf4 at 02:49 PM : May 31, 2007

My understanding is that he is NOT being treated. Rather he was diagnosed but the cancer has never shown any symptoms requiring treatment. Can you clarify?