Thompson: I Never Wanted The Job

Former Senator Says Country's New Challenges Lead Him To Consider Return To Politics

(AP)  Fred Thompson says the country faces different challenges now than it did when he spurned overtures to run for president in 2000, leading him to consider a return to politics.

"I think that everybody was kind of sitting back, taking it easy and thinking that, you know, peace and prosperity were going to kind of last forever. I think we know better than that now," the former Tennessee senator told The Associated Press.

"We live in a more dangerous (time of) things that threaten our very existence, things that threaten our peace, things that threaten our economic stability."

In an interview Saturday night before speaking to the Virginia GOP, Thompson would not talk in detail about why he believes he might make a good president, and he struggled to name his greatest accomplishment in the Senate.

During his 1994-2002 Senate tenure, he was considered a reliably conservative vote. But he had few significant legislative achievements and he established a reputation as a less-than-hard worker.

"That's one rap that you can cure," Thompson said.

Defending his record, he said he managed the homeland security bill in the full Senate and added: "There were a lot of things. ... It doesn't always have to do with putting your name on a piece of legislation. There was an awful lot of bad legislation that I helped to stop, for one thing."

But, he said with a smile, "We'll have a chance to get into all that when I start telling everybody what a wonderful person I am. But we're not quite at that stage."

At least not yet.

After flirting with a candidacy for months, the former senator and actor known to millions as the tough prosecutor on NBC's "Law & Order" took the first formal step toward the race for the GOP nomination Friday in establishing a preliminary campaign committee.

Thompson, however, said he still was not ready to commit to a 2008 campaign.

"We've not made a final decision on it. But obviously we're thinking pretty seriously about it," he said. "Everybody who has an opportunity to make even a small difference in the course of the direction of the country has got to look at that very seriously."

Among his considerations, he said, was making sure "the man fits the times."

Despite his coyness, Thompson is all but certain to join the crowded GOP field led by Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney. Thompson's entrance could come as early as July.

Fundraising was expected to begin in earnest Monday. Headquarters are planned for Nashville, Tenn., and the Washington, D.C., area. A campaign team is forming. Tentative visits to Iowa, New Hampshire and other early primary states are in the works.

A Washington Post poll published Sunday found that Giuliani remained the front-runner, but suggested his popularity could be showing signs of stalling because of his support for abortion rights and gay rights. Thompson's candidacy could quickly turn the contest into a four-way battle, according to the poll.

[hoopersports]

So are you saying Ronald Reagan wasn't a good president? In my opinion he was one of the greatest.

[hsinco-2009]

A great president if you consider giving anthrax to Saddam and selling misslies to Iran not bad! Arming OBL against the Soviets etc.

[antoniof123]

Oh brother its like this Regan was a B rated actor in the 50's playing on a B rated stage. In the 80's he was still a B rated actor playing on the greatest stage on Earth. I agree with you nvhorseman enough of the actors they are of no use to anyone all they do is play parts. We don't need any more actors as President.

[bill1fj]

We, the people, sure don't need another professional politician to be elected. Just look at how they do nothing and still manage to mess things up. Look at the mess in the middle east. 15 million illegal aliens and a border that is like a sieve. Our health and education systems are going backwards.
Come on Fred! How will you try to end this middle east mess? Please don't give the illegal aliens amnesty. We, the legal citizens, want them deported and ANYONE that hires them fined and/or jailed. We wnat education and health care made more available to all legal citizens.
Run to represent what most of the citizens want.
A moral, effective government that does the job.
Thank You

[ramos937]

Thompson would be a great fishing buddy but that is it. He is folksy, a great communicator but maybe the doctor slapped the wrong end when he was born?

He has taken two strong positions right of the bat. Either would sink his chances but together they demolish them. First, he would continue the Iraq War and put more troops in no matter what. Second, he has aliendated the largest voting block in the country - the Hispanic vote. He did this by backing the English only proposition and taking a punitive step againist illegal immigrants.

I like his movies and TV series but not as President. There there are no retakes or reheasals.

[jerr11]

"Thompson: I Never Wanted The Job"


What a crock of ***!

Get a better scriptwriter! You deserve better lines than that!

[jerr11]

"Thompson: I Never Wanted The Job"


What a crock of ***!

Get a better scriptwriter! You deserve better lines than that!

[tumbleweedin]

No more actors in the Whitehouse. PERIOD! And that goes double for Arnold. Anyway...RON PAUL is well on his way to sweeping the Republican party. Though the corporate controled mainstream media mass mind manipulation machine doesn't want to let anybody know about it, and downplays him as a "dark horse" and/or "longshot" in 2008. RON PAUL is building a quiet following of both Democrats and Republicans, and is already being endorsed by the Libertarian party and The United Republicans of California (UROC) have unanimously endorsed Congressman Ron Paul for president of the United States. Yes he is very popular on the internet. But cyberspace is NOT outerspace. So bring on round three of the debates. RON PAUL 2008!!! They will have to do better than Fred Thompson to stop RON PAUL.

[jacksteen1]

It bemuses me no end to think that this failed Yellowhammer Hillrod actor and Mutt Romney, mormonism's posterboy for multiple marriages resulting in birth of simpleton, profoundly moronic retards, are the BEST the Republishit Party can come up with for Election 2008.

The Democratic Party has it sewn up for at least the next SIXTEEN YEARS !!

The voters are tired of homespun hatemongers who speak in Republiturd shorthand doublespeak, dissing blacks, working single parents, latinos, immigrants, homos, in short - - anyone who doesn't sit on the Board of Directors or have a seat at the rich man's table....or those religious zealots who praise Jayzuss out of one corner of their mouth - and call for the death of abortion clinic workers with the other half of their twisted rictus.

This piece of Cracker excrement can stay home and save his money - or make a complete fool of himself AGAIN and suffer bitter defeat.

Practice in the mirror, Basset-Face Fred: "Yes Ma'am, Madame President Clinton!"

[frb01]

Ronald Reagan challenged President Ford for the nomination in 1976 and lost. He then did radio commentary and a bunch of other things until he started the run for 1980.

Fred Thompson has a number of issues confronting him, his health, the fact he was a senator and not a gov, we don't elect senators in the past.

As for the idle comment about Mitt Romney, he has been married to one woman, the others in the field have been married at least twice. And would you rather have a Morman, or see a picture of Bill Clinton carrying a Bible after church, post Monica?

[bluestardad]

DONT WORRY MR. THOMPSON YOU WONT GET ELECTED BUSH HAS KILLED THE REPUBLICAN PARTY FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS! NO ONE IS STUPID ENOUGH TO TRUST ANY REPUBLICANS FOR ANY JOB! MOVE TO ISRAEL OR DUBIA!

[sparks224]

"DONT WORRY MR. THOMPSON YOU WONT GET ELECTED BUSH HAS KILLED THE REPUBLICAN PARTY FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS! NO ONE IS STUPID ENOUGH TO TRUST ANY REPUBLICANS FOR ANY JOB!..."
Posted by bluestardad

Oh, if only it were true.

But unfortunately, neo-cons are like vampires, they will rise again to feed on the blood of the living.

Vigilance!

[hhkeller]

4 years too late Fred
You and McCain are ready for retirement.
I don't remember you or McCain having a spine during these last 6 years. The US Economy has been sold to China. 3700 dead in IRAQ. 600 Billion squandered. The guy who runs our local deli could do a better job.

[michellem99-2009]

He never wanted the job then drop out of the race.Don't watse the people's time.

[jsilver2th]

Will Scooter Libby be out of the pen soon enough to vote for his buddy Fred?

[glidescube]

He never wanted the job then drop out of the race.Don't watse the people's time.
Posted by MichelleM99 at 06:45 PM : Jun 03, 2007


That;s what makes him ideal for the job. He's not in it for over ambitious ulterior motives like Hillary is.

[sparks224]

"That;s what makes him ideal for the job. He's not in it for over ambitious ulterior motives like Hillary is."
Posted by glidescube

Do tell. What are Hillary's evil "ulterior motives"?

I know I shouln't egg you wingnuts on, but I can't help it.

[realpatriot1]

He doesn't want the job but he's going to go for it because a gun is being held to his head.

Another lying politician.

[ubrew12]

Gee, with a heavy heart he humbly submits to the will of the people. Here's the truth Thompson: if you don't want the job you won't do it well. Goes for president, goes for trash collector (oh, wait, after Bush those are the same things). Seriously, with a Boomer retirement impending, 30 years of Republican giveaways to the newly-global rich (many of whom now care more about China's economy than America's), and a $10 trillion debt (which would be $57 trillion if the gov't were required to use the same accounting methods as corporations), I pity WHOMEVER is the next president. Lets just call him President 'Bad News' and get it over with.

[jolsonbear]

Ohhh, our reluctant hero!!!!! He will save us!!!

Another old white man pretending to be a christian so he can get the job the he has talked about and aspired to for 3 decades. Sad thing is...many people will be instructed by their cult leaders (pastors and priests) to cast their vote for him. Any they will do as they are told for fear of spending eternity in h.e.l.l. He's been practicing his script so he should do well in the race.

[zorlacskates]

thompson's current wife is only 4 years older than his daughter. take a look at a photograph of the two; it's just plain creepy. for that reason alone, no way this guy stands a chance. but don't get me wrong - i'd love to see the self-righteous right try and figure out how on earth they can vote for thompson without flopping off of their high-horses. guliani & thompson in 2008! let's see if we can make james dobson's head explode!

[toysoldier27]

i cant believe anyone would want to pass the immigration we cant even take care of our own people..social secrity is amess americans citizens are still without health care and not tomention the homeless situation..take care of our own the help other people that need..now we going to reward people for breaking the law..letsnot forget the burden onpublic schools who have to teach these none english speaking kids..the system is already broken.dont make it worse

[acauble1]

Try and try as they might...

...the "christian" conservatives will NEVER replace the Constitution with their bible! Though they came close over the past 6 years, in November 2006, the majority of Americans realized for the first time in many years the ulterior motives of the Neo-Conservative hijacked GOP.

For that reason, Fred Thompson may run, but he will not win.

[iceman_1960]

"During his 1994-2002 Senate tenure... [Thompson] had few significant legislative achievements and he established a reputation as a less-than-hard worker. "That's one rap that you can cure," Thompson said."

That was the rap on John Kerry as well -- no great achievements as a Senator before he ran for president.

[trillion1]

this guy was a B actor and an F canidate.

[fairandbal]

'No great achievements'... 'less than hard worker'....

Hmmm, sounds like he's best qualified to hold up to the GW Bush standards of presidential achievements and be the next GOP standard bearer.

[jerr11]

"Thompson: I Never Wanted The Job"


In a related story, Paris Hilton Says She's Scared, But Prepared...

[tomtomasters]

The only way I would gain any respect for the guy is if he stood up against Bush. If he supported impeachment, and went after them for committing 911. Bring the troops back from Iraq. Stop the occupation of Japan and S. Korea. We know the 911 investigation was a farce. If he wants to play the honest card...come on Thompson. Anything other than the truth then join the pack of death to the Republican/Democrat party. You are all a bunch of hacks.

[bluestardad]

DONT WORRY MR. THOMPSON YOU WONT GET ELECTED BUSH HAS KILLED THE REPUBLICAN PARTY FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS! NO ONE IS STUPID ENOUGH TO TRUST ANY REPUBLICANS FOR ANY JOB! MOVE TO ISRAEL OR DUBIA!

[coffeehead-2009]

this guy was a B actor and an F canidate.

Well so was reagan but....
he initiated this selling of america via NAFTA.

talk more thompson. Use the keywords -
tell us that our kids are not worthless to the future of our country. Tell us they should have the advantage of corporate job profits and teaching and they are just as valuable humans as any foreigners. Tell us that our history and past DO count. Tell us that we are appreciated for our charity via tax dollars that are siphoned off for privatization and the good of the "global" nwo. Tell us that we count and you understand how we feel about losing everything we've worked for. Tell us we are not being just "downsized" but "exterminated" as middle class americans. Tell us our kids deserve education as much as others who never invested a dime into this countries evolution. Tell us american history, language and culture are not extinct. Tell us we can keep our homes and put our tax dollars where we chose. Tell us we are not irrelevent.

[coffeehead-2009]

The New York Times,"In 2001, officials in Lynnwood, Wash., a suburb of Seattle, passed an ordinance imposing penalties of 90 days in jail or fines of up to $1,000 against people caught living in their cars."

Peter Van Giesen, a code enforcement officer for the town, said that up to 20 cars a night were found with people parking near a park

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/4/2/93415/04852
Mr. Chaney said that while he looked for work, he did not reveal his situation to his son, who was going to school on a basketball scholarship, because he did not want to become a distraction.
We have record numbers of American workers, poor, middle class and marginally affluent falling down the rabbit hole of structural unemployment and we never hear the story of what happened to them.

We all must make our small sacrifices to keep this global economy up and running. It's unpatriotic to complain that your new job as a Wal Mart greeter only pays 7 bucks an hour.

Once prosperous Americans have become statistical ghosts that haunt the propped up, outsourced, smiley faced Bush economy. Down and out ( but still mobile) nobodies on the outside, gazing in wistfully at the middle class communities they once called home.

[pastdue1]

The one important and new thing that Thompson said was that the money should not be that important to getting elected. But it is, and until the voters realize that it is the money that is getting politicians elected, we will continue to have mediocre people running as candidates for every position in Washington. Big business realizes this and thus it controls the country and their mediocre politicians, Republican politicians and Democrat politicians.

[afmca]

What a load of bull ***. Next he will say that God annointed him to run also .. just like King George the Younger. How dillusional can the Republican candaidates get before America sees them for the wackos they really are? Maybe next, Republican presidents will state they are direct descendents of God.

He is a mediocre TV actor who was an inattentive, lazy senator. What we don't need is more style and less substance. America needs someone with intelligence - that someone is not Freddy Thompson.

[bluestardad]

GREAT POST FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO CAN READ PLEASE DO SO!

What a load of bull ***. Next he will say that God annointed him to run also .. just like King George the Younger. How dillusional can the Republican candaidates get before America sees them for the wackos they really are? Maybe next, Republican presidents will state they are direct descendents of God.

He is a mediocre TV actor who was an inattentive, lazy senator. What we don't need is more style and less substance. America needs someone with intelligence - that someone is not Freddy Thompson.
Posted by afmca at 08:52 AM : Jun 04, 2007

[bluestardad]

GREAT POST FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO CAN READ PLEASE DO SO!

What a load of bull ***. Next he will say that God annointed him to run also .. just like King George the Younger. How dillusional can the Republican candaidates get before America sees them for the wackos they really are? Maybe next, Republican presidents will state they are direct descendents of God.

He is a mediocre TV actor who was an inattentive, lazy senator. What we don't need is more style and less substance. America needs someone with intelligence - that someone is not Freddy Thompson.
Posted by afmca at 08:52 AM : Jun 04, 2007

[usa1881]

This man is a Patriot - Capital P!

[usa1881]

This man is a Patriot - Capital P!

[usa1881]

This man is a Patriot - Capital P!

[usa1881]

This man is a Patriot - Capital P!

[pastdue1]

Exactly what is a patriot? Today's generation does not really know what a patriot is. We have a generation who think a patriot is anyone who comes across charismatic on the TV screen, anyone who's writers can come up with the most clever sound bites, and someone who's press corps knows how to create photo ops. Politicians are schooled in every aspect of their public life and Thompson has been schooled to play the role of a patriot. His handlers are paid to make him appear so. Today's "heroes" are football players, basketball players, golfers, etc and movie stars ~ anyone who has no substance of their own and can be controlled.

[micma-2009]

This sums it up well:


What a load of bull ***. Next he will say that God annointed him to run also .. just like King George the Younger. How dillusional can the Republican candaidates get before America sees them for the wackos they really are? Maybe next, Republican presidents will state they are direct descendents of God.

He is a mediocre TV actor who was an inattentive, lazy senator. What we don't need is more style and less substance. America needs someone with intelligence - that someone is not Freddy Thompson.
Posted by afmca at 08:52 AM : Jun 04, 2007

[micma-2009]

This guy looks like the undead.

[briannorwood]

A mormon, an adulterer, a Buah a*s*s kisser and a two-bit actor. No wonder the Republicans are unsatisfied with their choices!

[lastdance2]

How much money - is he going to receive from :
The US Goverment Campain Fund (taxpayer expense)
To run his compain. ? ? ?

Where is that money - really going to end up at ? ? ?

Lastdance

[oleander8]

Go away, Fred.

[lars008-2009]

NOW CAN WE KILL THEM???
If they can kill us, we can kill them

Qaeda warns of attacks 'worse than 9/11'
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=070530102648.wuwa6k96&show_article=1

Hizbullah Deputy Sec-Gen Sheikh Naim Qassem: We Have Jurisprudent Permission to Carry Out 'Martyrdom' Operations, Fire Missiles on Israeli Civilians From Ayatollah Khomeini
http://memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=SD154907

Switching Sides: Inside The Enemy Camp

But then in 2000, well before his arrest, something happened which would make Abas question everything he believed in: a fatwa, a religious edict, was issued by Osama bin Laden.

"It should be understood that killing Americans and Jews anywhere found are the highest act of worship and the highest form of good deeds in the eyes of Allah," Simon quotes bin Laden.

Abas and his fellow commanders were ordered to read the fatwa to their men and make sure they carried it out. The others obeyed, but Abas refused. It was his moment of truth. He firmly believed that jihad was to be fought only on the battlefield in defense of Islam; he had always been taught that the killing of civilians had nothing to do with holy war and that it was forbidden.

The fatwa justified killing non-Muslim civilians everywhere.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/04/60minutes/main2761108.shtml?source=RSSattr=60Minutes_2761108
American Al Qaeda Member Threatens Attack
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/29/terror/main2865282.shtml

[huskerarmy]

Thompson has a real problem. In the past, he's played some sketchy characters on t.v. And if the frat boy presidency has proven anything, it's that GOPers can't tell the difference between fantacy and reality.

[stevepdx1]

Thompson: I Never Wanted The Job


thats good, since you won't be getting the job