Thompson Will Enter Race With A Bang

Republican's Rollout Includes TV Ad, Talk Show Appearance And Internet Video, All In 24 Hours

(AP)  As a veteran actor, Fred Thompson knows something about entering a stage. It's all about the build-up.

The former Tennessee senator plans to announce his official entry into the Republican presidential contest on Thursday. But he'll pique interest first on Wednesday with an ad aired during a GOP presidential debate from New Hampshire that Thompson will otherwise skip.

By then he will have taped an appearance on NBC's "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno," which will air about an hour after the debate ends in many U.S. households. Come midnight, he'll post a 15-minute video announcement on his official Web site.

The face time with Leno and the debate ad on the Fox network are the moves of a candidate who has already proven his aptitude using the media, from television to the Internet. While his main rivals - Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and John McCain - parry debate questions, Thompson will pretty much control his own message.

Thompson aides want as many eyes on the Web video as possible. The debate ad and a follow-up commercial on Thursday will instruct viewers to go online and get their undiluted message straight from the candidate.

"We think one of the strongest weapons this campaign has is Fred Thompson's ability to connect directly with the public," said Todd Harris, Thompson's communications director. "We want to drive as much traffic as possible to the Web site."

Following that media drum roll, Thompson will make his first campaign appearance as a declared candidate Thursday afternoon in Iowa.

Thompson is hardly the first to use the Internet and media to build up public interest. In January, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton announced her Democratic presidential bid with a Webcast. In contrast, Sen. Barack Obama chose a more traditional route, announcing to a crowd in his home state of Illinois.

What stands out for Thompson is his blend of paid advertising, talk-show appearance, Internet and stump speech - all in less than 24 hours.

"That's the modern way to do it," said Tobe Berkovitz, the interim dean at Boston University's college of communications. "Especially if people are looking for something new on the Republican side. People have had plenty of time to look at Rudy or Mitt or McCain. So it makes sense for Thompson to march to his own campaign drummer."

Thompson's debate ad and Leno appearance could pose a risk, highlighting for voters Thompson's decision to forgo an exchange of views in New Hampshire with the remainder of the Republican field.

Romney spokesman Kevin Madden pointedly noted Tuesday that Romney has traversed the state of New Hampshire, addressing voters and giving interviews.

"Tomorrow night is an opportunity to spend an hour and half with New Hampshire voters and talk to them about issues that are important to them," Madden said. "Contrast that with 30 seconds in a paid ad."

But Harris said the point of the ad is to remind the public that Thompson is on the immediate horizon and that voters should keep an open mind.

"For every person watching that debate who thinks they've made up their mind, there are probably going to be 20 who haven't decided," he said.

Thompson has made ample use of his Web site over the summer as he pursued a "testing the waters" campaign. By not announcing his candidacy, Thompson was allowed to raise money to explore the possibility of a presidential bid without having to meet certain federal election disclosure requirements. At the same time, Thompson could not advertise, describe himself as a presidential candidate or raise more money that his "testing the waters" efforts would consume.

A liberal blogger has asked for an FEC investigation into whether Thompson violated prohibitions on fundraising. On Tuesday, the nonpartisan Project for Excellence in Journalism, a research group, described Thompson's Web site as far more interactive and sophisticated than that of his rivals. The site offers a collection of videos, a personal Thompson blog and various solicitations to raise money.

Lane Hudson, who asked the Federal Election commission to investigate Thompson, has cited those activities as further evidence that Thompson's unannounced campaign violated federal regulations.

"That's an irrelevant assessment because in a few days you will see Fred Thompson mixing it up with reporters and taking tough questions from voters," Harris said.

[nyckate]

oh lord - between Bush, Rudy and Fred US Presidential politics has as little credibility as reality for tv show.

[jsilver2th]

Oh boy- Nixon''s spy for President~
The cover-up goes on-

[incog-nito]

He''ll go out the same way, with a bang.

[glossypan]

Why wait until Thursday to announce? By waiting until Thursday, Freddy exempts himself from the first round of campaign fundraising disclosures (the rules for exploratory committees are much less stringent) and does not have to reveal who is bankrolling him until after most of the primaries. Cmon, Thompson, the rest of the Republicans are playing by the rules, why can''t you?

[pepperp1]

bang, what bang...wimper maybe

[boldwin223]

OK, so Fred is going to ride in on his white horse and save the Republican party. Hay Fred, nothing can save the Republican party. George Bush, single handed, has killed it. Well maybe with a little help from his friends.

[donnie900]

I can take him. Tall people always think they''re tough.

[nearl4511]

The really cool thing is that after all the hoopla and the big "BANG" entrance, people will soon realize that: no Fred Thompson is not the second coming of Jesus nor of the Republican party.

In with a bang.....out with a wimper (and fairly soon in the process) I predict.

[im4honesty]

Why wait until Thursday to announce? By waiting until Thursday, Freddy exempts himself from the first round of campaign fundraising disclosures (the rules for exploratory committees are much less stringent) and does not have to reveal who is bankrolling him until after most of the primaries. Cmon, Thompson, the rest of the Republicans are playing by the rules, why can''''t you?
Posted by glossypan

Plus he avoids another debate. If this clown is afraid to debate the other clowns in the republican lineup, he is certainly too weak for any leadership position. Maybe that would explain why he was such a stealth senator.

[fairandbal]

The MSM is doing everything it can to prop up the failing GOP. Look at this title, CBS is hoping that this man can save the party and bring the GOP back into power. We need a more independent media people! this one is throwing away our democracy.

[kansas1946]

Yawn...I hope the "bang" doesn''t wake me from my nap. Naw, probably not. I think this probably ranks as one of politic''s biggest anti-climaxes in history. Maybe if the Republicans can get about thirteen more white men to run, then they can finally have a candidate.

[realpatriot1]

USAisdway98,

Keep up the swift-boating; it guarantees that your arguments, such as they are, have no merit.
All you do is show your ***.

[realpatriot1]

The dilemma for the republicans is that they are unenthused with the candidates they have and it''s really too late for anyone else to put together an efficent organization, riase money, get their sea legs on the campaign trail, and adequately differentiate themselves from the rest of the field.

He''s not just going to have difficulty on the stump and in getting an effective organization running(his wife may be able to help their but they''re clearly behind the 8 ball), what money is there for republican candidates has been tapped out already by the others.

I think he waited too long and its going to show.

[kansas1946]

Not a little boy by the name of Obama who called Abraham Lincoln a "Racist" yet ran a-grovelling to his Massa KKK Byrd.
***********************
You can''t white-wash history (no pun intended.) As great as Lincoln was and with all that he accomplished, he was still a racist, and all you have to do is read a little history to know that. He was a child of his time, so I imagine he would have different views at this point in history. Fred Thompson is a weak candidate at best.

[glossypan]

Chickenhawk count: Top tier Republican candidates who were eligible for the battlefield: Sam Brownback - did not serve; Newt Gingrich (not yet declared) - did not serve; Rudy Giuliani - did not serve; John McCain - served on the front lines with valor; Mitt Romney - did not serve; Fred Thompson - did not serve. Interesting sidebar - NukeEmAllTom Tancredo, one of the comic relief candidates, was exempted first for an anxiety disorder and later as a student.

[jerr11]

"Bang" sounds like an appropriate for this oversexed grandad.

I''m sure his beautiful young second wife finds that an appropriate word too.

But what does his discarded wrinkled first wife think of this word?

[processor2]

Fred Thompson

just another former Senator from Tennessee

.

[gkc99]

Let''s start hearing what Freyed did in Vietnam. Graduated from college 1964--the year the war started for real--the phony Gulf of Tonkin. Where was Freyed?

Went straight to law school. Graduated 1967--draft heating up--where was Freyed?

Just another chickenshit Republican? Another draft dodger hiding behind privilege and money? Another "let''s you and him fight" Repub coward like Georgie Bushit and Darth Chickenhawk?

Ya don''t say!

[sgtrds]

yawn......

[patinflorida]

Fred Thompson definitely has my vote. He is a conservative, is intelligent and educated, and has experience in the Senate. Go Fred!!! You definitely have my support.

[fairandbal]

Maybe that would explain why he was such a stealth senator.
Posted by im4honesty at 07:39 PM : Sep 04, 2007

It also just shows that he''s another Bushie. Stay in the shadows, hide in your bunker and SOUND folksie and people will love you. or... he''s really under ROVE''s control and that really explains why Rove left.

[fairandbal]

the title of this article really shows that the MSM is doing everything it can to support the GOP now. This guy has been talking about running for many months now and NOW That he FINALLY announces they lead with a title ''BANG! GREAT NEWS! SURPRISE! FRED IS RUNNING for PRESIDENT!.

It''s a shame how bad the MSM wants to save the GOP!

[barbaraf4]

He doesn''t look very healthy right now. Down right sickly.

[sgtrds]

yawn.................................does anyone really care? Flash in the pan.....and not a much big one either......

[feelfree1]

Re: "Thompson Will Enter Race With A Bang"

Really? How''s that? Will Craig be his "running-mate", so to speak?

[jswilliams451]

This guy has been ducking scrutiny now for months. But he''s still a top 3 contender in the GOP race????

Speaks more about the thin field on both sides of the ball than anything else.

NEXT!!!!

[lars008-2009]

it is fascist nazi terrorislam stupid%u2026.

non muslims of the world unite... fight against the tyranny of the fascist nazi terrorslam imperialist empire of the darkside...

I was a fanatic...I know their thinking, says former radical Islamist
By blaming the Government for our actions, those who pushed this "Blair''s bombs" line did our propaganda work for us.
More important, they also helped to draw away any critical examination from the real engine of our violence: Islamic theology.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=465570&in_page_id=1770
Bless the Beasts and Children
Fascist nazi terrorslam kills every man woman and child in the village again%u2026 typical mo for terrorslam%u2026
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/bless-the-beasts-and-children.htm

Our Prophet commanded us to fight the kaafirs when we are able and to attack them in their homelands and to give them three choices before we enter their lands: either they become Muslim and be like us, sharing our rights and duties; or they pay the jizyah (poll tax) and feel themselves subdued; or they fight, in which case their wealth, women, children and homes become permissible as booty for the Muslims.
http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=13759&ln=eng&txt=before%20islam%20arabia%20pagan

the truth about fascist nazi terrorislam...
http://www.terrorismawareness.org/what-really-happened/

[lovecbs6]

he is wasting his time. he is a big joke. he does''nt have a change. of course that''s what i said about moron bush too. could it be that the G.O.P. are able to fix another election. well they are liers,thief''s, so yeah they are capable and if they do they will get away with it again. and i believe that the G.O.P. party will continue to ruin our country. because they donot care. they steal there own families blind and not think a thing of it.

[processor2]

Fred Thompson

just another former Senator from Tennessee,
who didn''t serve in the military, like another
former Senator from Tennesse; and
a former governor from Arkansas

...

[processor2]

Fred Thompson

just another former Senator from Tennessee,
who didn''t serve in the military, like another
former Senator from Tennesse; and
a former governor from Arkansas

...

[processor2]

Fred Thompson

just another former Senator from Tennessee,
who didn''t serve in the military, like another
former Senator from Tennesse; and
a former governor from Arkansas

...

[processor2]

Fred Thompson

just another former Senator from Tennessee,
who didn''t serve in the military, like another
former Senator from Tennesse; and
a former governor from Arkansas

...

[gopack443]

yea yea yea just another repulacat, still no real choices, not that can really win anyway

[usaisdway98]

processor two, i think you''re on overload, bozo.

go back to the crayons and champipple, moveon.org clown. and go find your boyfriend Clinton - who cares which one, either the shrew or the Serb bombing, Elian kidnapping, draft-dodging, pervert will do.

FRED DALTON THOMPSON, PRESIDENT.

Has a nice ring to it - Hillary Rodham - LOL - Clinton or Barrack Hussein aka Boy Obama DON''T.

[lars008-2009]

what do you call an ideology that:

kills you if you don''t join it...

http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=82201&ln=eng&txt=islam%20law%20kill%20kaafir

kills you if you leave it...

http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=696&ln=eng&txt=kaafir%20kill

kills you if you don''t do what they tell you to do..

http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=6035&ln=eng&txt=kaafir%20kill

kills you if you speak against it%u2026.

http://islamqa.com/index.php?QR=22809&ln=eng

kills anybody that is not a member of it...

http://www.hauns.com/~DCQu4E5g/koran5.html

still practices slavery

http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=12562&ln=eng&txt=slavery

still practices pagan rituals...

http://answering-islam.org/Silas/pagansources.htm

allows the r a p e of babies and animals...

http://www.homa.org/default.asp?TOCID=2083225445

a. satanic cult???
b. islam???
c. all the above???

Our Prophet commanded us to fight the kaafirs when we are able and to attack them in their homelands and to give them three choices before we enter their lands: either they become Muslim and be like us, sharing our rights and duties; or they pay the jizyah (poll tax) and feel themselves subdued; or they fight, in which case their wealth, women, children and homes become permissible as booty for the Muslims.
http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=13759&ln=eng&txt=before%20islam%20arabia%20pagan

[antoniof123]

I think its funny they will try the old Regan he was a great actor (no he was not he was a b rated actor). Of course the GOP are so desperate now with so many having left (like me) that they will try anything. But the truth is we got tired of them telling us how to live they are supposed to keep religion out of government instead they are creating a religious state and I for one see how they are and have been through out history. The bring death and destruction oh wait that is Iraq. Another GOP great!

[realpatriot1]

USAisDway is such a clueless clown that he attacks processor 2 as a Clinton supporter. That''s funny!

Almost as funny as the fact that his best argument for Thompson is the sound of his name.

What a toad!

[pakaal]

Hey Lars008, what do you call an ideology that says:

You must kill those who worship another god. Exodus 22:20

Everyone will have to worship Jesus -- whether they want to or not. Philippians 2:10

Kill all the inhabitants of any city where you find people that worship differently than you. Deuteronomy 13:12-16

Kill anyone who refuses to listen to a priest. Deuteronomy 17:12-13

Kill any false prophets. Deuteronomy 18:20

Any city that doesn%u2019t receive the followers of Jesus will be destroyed in a manner even more savage than that of Sodom and Gomorrah. Mark 6:11

Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. (1 Peter 2:18)

Three guesses....