WASHINGTON, June 1, 2007
Fred Thompson Inches Closer To '08 Run
Senator-Turned-Actor Creates Committee To Test Support For Presidential Bid
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Play CBS Video Video Capitol Bob On '08 Candidates CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer speaks with Julie Chen about Al Gore and Fred Thompson, two men who have not announced '08 campaigns, but are stirring up support.
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Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson has established a preliminary campaign committee, another step toward an expected run for president. (Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla)
The "testing the waters" committee allows Thompson — a former Tennessee senator and now best known for his film and television roles, including as a prosecutor on NBC's "Law & Order" — to raise money, hire staff and gauge support without officially committing to a White House bid and without having to publicly disclose donations or expenditures.
The "Friends of Fred Thompson" committee was incorporated in papers filed with the state in Nashville, Tenn.
Thompson, 64, a Southern conservative, would likely shake up an already unsettled race for the GOP nomination led by Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney. Many conservatives have expressed dissatisfaction with the current field of 10 candidates.
By creating the committee now, Thompson avoids having to report to the Federal Election Commission his fundraising totals, donor identities or expenditures on July 15. That's the filing deadline for the second quarter of the year, and the top-tier GOP candidates, as well as seven underdog contenders, must abide by it.
Thompson's timing could significantly dampen the fundraising ability of his potential GOP rivals during the homestretch of the second-quarter financial reporting period. Donors who otherwise would have contributed to other Republicans may choose instead to give to Thompson.
Officials close to Thompson say he's more likely than not to formally enter the race, perhaps as early as July, and open headquarters in Nashville and the Washington, D.C., area. However, they caution, he's made no final decision about going forward.
Over the past few weeks, Thompson has begun surrounding himself with advisers who served under Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Among those also expected to play a role: Mary Matalin, a former adviser in the current Bush administration, and Tim Griffin, an ex-aide at the Republican National Committee who as a U.S. attorney in Arkansas was involved in the controversy over the firings of federal prosecutors.
Although he ranks well in national popularity polls, Thompson would enter the race several months behind Giuliani, McCain and Romney in building a campaign organization, raising money and collecting key endorsements.
Given the disparities, he has indicated he favors a nontraditional campaign and already has a strong presence on the Internet, raising the possibility that he could eschew a traditional media strategy.
© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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See all 62 CommentsIt has been put in a position of *needing* to pander to a fragmented base that consists of small government conservatives and social conservatives. Moving to one side or another splits the base of the party and creates votes for the Democrats.
The issue at hand is social conservatism, which represents a minority of the American public. On the other hand you have small government conservatism which represents a majority of Americans.
The GOP refuses to drop social conservatism as it's political "rudder". As long as the party continues this (because the trend over the last 2000 years is a transition to more liberal social values) it bleeds supporters over to the Democrats.
We will only see a true issue driven campaign once the GOP moves away from social conservatism. Once that happens there is a real chance for the political process in this country to begin moving forward as is was intended by the founding fathers.
Sadly, Fred Thompson is another attempt to meet both social and small government conservatives' demands. The problem is that the wedge issues that come with social conservatism divide the American public sharply.
Mr. Thompson will lose in that case.
Posted by jerr11
Fred represents the best of the Republican Party.
It's a party of actors -- sleazy adulterers posing as family values men, greedy war profiteers masquerading as patriots, warmongers pretending to fight terrorists.
Among this lot of would be actors, Fred Thompson is the most talented!
Run Fred run!
It's a party of actors -- sleazy adulterers posing as family values men, greedy war profiteers masquerading as patriots, warmongers pretending to fight terrorists.
Among this lot of would be actors, Fred Thompson is the most talented!
Run Fred run!
What about PLATFORM? I don't see anything about his beliefs, possible plans if elected, voting record when actually holding an office etc.
Is he ALL HAT AND NO HORSE????
As an Independent I still see Ron Paul as the Republican Dark Horse Candidate and their Best Hope Ironically.
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS IT IN THE BAG !!
All you sad-faced Christian Reich, holier-than-thou Republiturds have a lot of time to practice saying, "Yes Ma'am, Madame President Clinton!"
Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
December 8, 1941/September 12, 2001
The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.
Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounded determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.
USA's PLEDGE 2 THE WORLD GIVEN BY JFK!!
"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
--John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961 "
"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." --John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961 "
One ought never to turn one's back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Winston Churchill
Edmund Burke: All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do
GO RON PAUL
the future of the non muslim world under islam....
But the accepted assumption in India is that most of India's Muslims were converted to Islam through the sword. Meaning the Indians were given an option between death or adopting Islam. The third option was getting examined in Islam religion along with heavy taxes- Jeziya (poll tax) and Kharaj (property tax).
http://adaniel.tripod.com/Islam.htm
this is what fascist nazi islam calls peace....
are you ready to live under islam rule as a non muslim???
apartheid fascist nazi islamic style
Rights of Non-Muslims in an Islamic State
http://www.sullivan-county.com/id3/islamic_state.htm
WHY IS IT NOT ONE ISLAMIC MUSLIM COUNTRY GRANTS EQUAL RIGHTS TO NON MUSLIMS???
FASCIST NAZI ISLAM SAYS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATES ISLAM LAW...
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html
For example, in 1981, the Iranian representative to the United Nations, Said Rajaie-Khorassani, articulated the position of his country regarding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by saying that the UDHR was "a secular understanding of the Judeo-Christian tradition", which could not be implemented by Muslims without trespassing the Islamic law.
http://www.un.org/terrorism/
http://www.un.org/terrorism/strategy-counter-terrorism.html
http://www.un.org/
But the accepted assumption in India is that most of India's Muslims were converted to Islam through the sword. Meaning the Indians were given an option between death or adopting Islam. The third option was getting examined in Islam religion along with heavy taxes- Jeziya (poll tax) and Kharaj (property tax).
http://adaniel.tripod.com/Islam.htm
this is what fascist nazi islam calls peace....
are you ready to live under islam rule as a non muslim???
apartheid fascist nazi islamic style
Rights of Non-Muslims in an Islamic State
http://www.sullivan-county.com/id3/islamic_state.htm
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