Fred Thompson Inches Closer To '08 Run

(AP)  Republican Fred Thompson took the first formal step toward a widely expected bid for the presidency, establishing a preliminary campaign committee on Friday.

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.

[mommajomma-2009]

hey! maybe CBS can get rather and maples to do an expose on thompson's military service! now THATS reporting!!!

[cozzicon]

The GOP is a party in crisis from my point of view.

It 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.

[condumism]

Freddy Thompson can run because the GOPig base of so self-centered and imbecilic, these Fascists will vote for some Southern Nazi based upon name recognition only. How else could Rudy Gulliani be th eir current frunt runner. Gulliani runs on a false reputation that the Corporate Media has manipulated into a hero based upon lies and horrible journalism. Thompson, as a Southern Fascist can run because he's a GOPig basking in Republicon Hate and Self Centeredness.

[brianbwb-2009]

Ok, I'll be good, guys, I didn't think that the Latin for opening would be considered profane, sorry...

[brianbwb-2009]

Thompson is surrounding himself with failed Reagancrites and Bushwhackers, smart strategy, dude, give us more of the same style as two of the three worst excuses of life ever to wast space in the Oval ***. I hope your royalty checks from your shows can tide you over for the rest of your life

[menofoz]

Jerr, I had to post this again it's so true.

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!

[tumbleweedin]

ABC has run a short story on their site concerning RON PAUL...Finally. They refered to him as a Dark Horse candidate. Which I don't believe is the case at all. But! The ice has cracked. It is your turn CBS. Don't get left behind now.

[johnshaft4]

Yet, another phoney Republican actor pretending to be a man.

[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!

[homespunlady]

Don't know much about the man but what's listed in this article is all resume stuff that looks pretty bad considering he seems to have skirted all the "hot button" scandals enough to not get embroiled to them but NOT enough to avoid being connected in some manner to them.
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.