Fred Thompson Lays Down The Law
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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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