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At Long Last, Fred Takes the Big Plunge

At Long Last, Fred Takes the Big Plunge

The Associated Press - 2 hours ago

The Associated Press - 2 hours ago

Prominent evangelical leaders who spent the summer hoping Fred Thompson  would emerge as their favored Republican presidential contender are having doubts as ...

Prominent evangelical leaders who spent the summer hoping Fred Thompson  would emerge as their favored Republican presidential contender are having doubts as ...

Telegraph.co.uk

Telegraph.co.uk

Fred Thompson makes his first NH stop

Fred Thompson makes his first NH stop

Boston Globe, United States - 13 hours ago

Boston Globe, United States - 13 hours ago

[[Fred Thompson]] is a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] primary candidate to represent his party in the [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 United States presidential election]].  Thompson has worked as a lawyer, lobbyist, and character actor, and he represented [[Tennessee]] as a Republican in the [[U.S. Senate]] from 1994 through 2003.

[[Fred Thompson]] is a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] primary candidate to represent his party in the [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 United States presidential election]].  Thompson has worked as a lawyer, lobbyist, and character actor, and he represented [[Tennessee]] as a Republican in the [[U.S. Senate]] from 1994 through 2003.

On [[March 11]] [[2007]], Thompson appeared on ''[[Fox News Sunday]]'' to discuss the possibility of a 2008 candidacy for president. The announcement spurred several grassroots draft movements, including a well-organized draft campaign started by Dean Rice, a former Thompson political aide, in [[Knoxville, Tennessee]].  While Thompson had not yet formally announced his intentions, he said he would "leave the door open."  He stated that he would not be interested in accepting a hypothetical nomination for vice president, explaining "I don't think I would ever want to do that and be in the second position."

[[Image:CroppedMidWestLeaderCong25Aug2007.jpg|right|133px|thumb|In [[Indianapolis]] on August 25, 2007.]]On [[March 11]] [[2007]], Thompson appeared on ''[[Fox News Sunday]]'' to discuss the possibility of a 2008 candidacy for president. The announcement spurred several grassroots draft movements, including a well-organized draft campaign started by Dean Rice, a former Thompson political aide, in [[Knoxville, Tennessee]].  While Thompson had not yet formally announced his intentions, he said he would "leave the door open."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,258222,00.html |title=Transcript: Former Sen. Fred Thompson on 'FOX News Sunday' |publisher=[[Fox news]] |date=[[March 11]], [[2007]]}}</ref> He stated that he would not be interested in accepting a hypothetical nomination for vice president, explaining "I don't think I would ever want to do that and be in the second position."<ref>Seidman, Joel. [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18618598/ "Thompson rules out VP spot on GOP ticket"], ''[[MSNBC]]'' ([[2007-05-11]]).</ref>

 

On May 15, Thompson published a video in which he declined to debate [[Michael Moore]] about [[Cuba]].<ref>{{cite web

Thompson's March 11 announcement spurred a flurry of conjecture, discussion, and activity on the Internet. A "Draft Fred Thompson" forum site became a particularly popular online forum for supporters.<ref>See [http://www.draftfredthompson.com DraftFredThompson.com].</ref> One group of supporters organized under the banner "FredHeadsUSA" with a plan to build a grassroots political movement to expand on Thompson's support on the Internet. 

|url=http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=611 |title=Thompson Responds to Michael Moore Challenge |publisher=Breitbart.tv |format=video clip |date=[[May 15]], [[2007]] |accessdate=2007-05-17}}</ref> On May 18, he continued his Internet campaign by posting a letter to [[Pajamas Media]] acknowledging his online supporters.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://pajamasmedia.com/2007/05/fred_thompson_exclusive_story.php |title=To PJM and Friends |first=Fred |last=Thompson |publisher=''[[Pajamas Media]]'' | date=[[21 May]], [[2007]]}}</ref>

Thompson formed an [[exploratory committee]] on [[June 1]], [[2007]].<ref name="whsvspeakinrichmond">{{cite news  | title =Fred Thompson to Speak in Richmond  | publisher =WHSV TV  | date =2007-06-01 | url =http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/7800651.html | accessdate = 2007-06-03 }}</ref> Unlike most candidate exploratory groups, his organized as a [[527 group]].<ref>{{cite news | last=Horrigan | first=Marie |title =Fred Thompson’s Long ‘Exploration’ Raises Money — and Confusion  | publisher =Congressional Quarterly | date =2007-07-31 | url =http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/07/fred_thompsons_long_exploratio.html | accessdate = 2007-08-08 }}</ref> Thompson made his first public appearance after this exploratory committee formed on June 2 at the Virginia Republicans annual fund-raising gala in [[Richmond, Virginia]].<ref name="hordetofollow">{{cite news  | last =Lessig  | first =Hugh  | coauthors =  | title =Media horde to follow Thompson to Richmond  | work =  | pages =  | language =  | publisher =Daily Press  | date =2007-06-01  | url =http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/dp-now-thompson.jn1,0,3989752.story?coll=dp-news-local-final  | accessdate = 2007-06-03 }}</ref> Shortly thereafter, on [[June 5]], [[2007]], Thompson launched his official website.<ref>[http://www.imwithfred.com imwithfred.com.]</ref> The same day, there was a Republican Presidential candidates debate with the then current 10 candidates, from [[New Hampshire]], broadcast on [[CNN]].  Thompson was mentioned repeatedly as one of the poll front runners, even though he did not participate.<ref>Struglinski, Suzanne and Roche, Lisa.  [http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,660226839,00.html "Actor heightens GOP debate drama"], ''Deseret Morning News'' ([[2007-06-05]]).</ref> 

On May 15, Thompson published a video in which he declined to debate [[Michael Moore]] about [[Cuba]].

On [[June 12]], [[2007]], Thompson appeared on ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]''. He would not announce his candidacy, but referred to his presidential exploratory committee, which he stated had yielded positive prospects. [[Jay Leno|Leno]] mentioned that Thompson was #2 in the polls, and asked him if he would at least state if he would like the job of President. Thompson responded that, while he did not crave the job itself, there were things he would like to do that he could only do by holding that office.<ref>{{cite news | title =Thompson Tells Leno He Would Like to Be President | publisher =Fox News | date =2007-06-07 | url =http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,281596,00.html | accessdate = 2007-06-28 }}</ref>  

Thompson formed an [[exploratory committee]] on [[June 1]], [[2007]]. Thompson made his first public appearance after this exploratory committee formed on June 2 at the Virginia Republicans annual fund-raising gala in [[Richmond, Virginia]].<ref name="hordetofollow">{{cite news   | last =Lessig  | first =Hugh  | coauthors =  | title =Media horde to follow Thompson to Richmond  | work =  | pages =  | language = | publisher =Daily Press | date =2007-06-01 | url =http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/dp-now-thompson.jn1,0,3989752.story?coll=dp-news-local-final | accessdate = 2007-06-03 }}</ref> Shortly thereafter, on [[June 5]], [[2007]], Thompson launched his official website.Struglinski, Suzanne and Roche, Lisa.  [http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,660226839,00.html "Actor heightens GOP debate drama"], ''Deseret Morning News'' ([[2007-06-05]]).

[[Image:Thompson-Mondale-MN state fair-20070827.jpg|left|thumb|Interviewed by [[Eleanor Mondale]] of [[WCCO (AM)|WCCO]] radio at the [[Minnesota State Fair]] on August 27, 2007.]]In early July 2007, Liz Sidoti of the [[Associated Press]] wrote: "Thompson's easygoing, no-nonsense style is clearly his strength and undoubtedly has helped him soar in presidential polls."<ref name="lacksubstance">Sidoti, Liz.  [http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3346802 "Thompson Strong on Style, Not Substance"], ''[[Associated Press]]'' ([[2007-07-05]]).  Retrieved ([[2007-07-07]]).</ref> Tucker Eskew, a Republican strategist unaligned in the race, said, "Smooth is good, but sometimes nitty gritty is essential" and  "He'll be tested (but) he has a little time."<ref name="lacksubstance" /> In [[July 2007]], a ''[[New York Times]]'' article cited Thompson's aides as saying on July 18 that he planned to enter the race just after [[Labor Day]] (the first Monday in September), followed by a national announcement tour.<ref> Nagourney, Adam. [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/19/us/politics/19repubs.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin# "Candidates Shift as G.O.P. Field Alters"], ''[[NY Times]]'' ([[2007-07-19]]).</ref>

[[Image:Thompson-Mondale-MN state fair-20070827.jpg|left|thumb|Interviewed by [[Eleanor Mondale]] of [[WCCO (AM)|WCCO]] radio at the [[Minnesota State Fair]] on August 27, 2007.]]In early July 2007, Liz Sidoti of the [[Associated Press]] wrote: "Thompson's easygoing, no-nonsense style is clearly his strength and undoubtedly has helped him soar in presidential polls."<ref name="lacksubstance">Sidoti, Liz.  [http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3346802 "Thompson Strong on Style, Not Substance"], ''[[Associated Press]]'' ([[2007-07-05]]).  Retrieved ([[2007-07-07]]).</ref> Tucker Eskew, a Republican strategist unaligned in the race, said, "Smooth is good, but sometimes nitty gritty is essential" and  "He'll be tested (but) he has a little time."<ref name="lacksubstance" /> In [[July 2007]], a ''[[New York Times]]'' article cited Thompson's aides as saying on July 18 that he planned to enter the race just after [[Labor Day]] (the first Monday in September), followed by a national announcement tour.<ref> Nagourney, Adam. [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/19/us/politics/19repubs.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin# "Candidates Shift as G.O.P. Field Alters"], ''[[NY Times]]'' ([[2007-07-19]]).</ref>

===Official announcement===

===Official announcement===

[[Image:Lazy_Like_a_Fox.jpeg|right|thumb|September 10, 2007 issue.]]Thompson is a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] primary candidate to represent his party in the [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 United States presidential election]].  He declared his intent to seek the nomination on  [[September 5]], [[2007]].

[[Image:Lazy_Like_a_Fox Thompson is a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] primary candidate to represent his party in the [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 United States presidential election]].  He declared his intent to seek the nomination on  [[September 5]], [[2007]].

Thompson announced his candidacy on the ''Tonight Show With Jay Leno'',<ref name="Forbes20070905" /> accompanied by a 15-minute web video.<ref name="bond" />  He then began a five-day tour of early voting states, including Iowa, New Hampshire and [[South Carolina]].

Thompson announced his candidacy on the ''Tonight Show With Jay Leno'',<ref name="Forbes20070905" /> accompanied by a 15-minute web video. He then began a five-day tour of early voting states, including Iowa, New Hampshire and [[South Carolina]].

===Campaign staff===

===Campaign staff===

   | accessdate =  2007-07-02 }}</ref> He also believes that [[Iran]] should be taken seriously.<ref name= London619>Thompson, Fred.  [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/06/remarks_to_policy_exchange_in.html "Remarks to Policy Exchange in London"] ([[2007-06-19]]).  Retrieved [[2007-07-02]].</ref>

   | accessdate =  2007-07-02 }}</ref> He also believes that [[Iran]] should be taken seriously.<ref name= London619>Thompson, Fred.  [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/06/remarks_to_policy_exchange_in.html "Remarks to Policy Exchange in London"] ([[2007-06-19]]).  Retrieved [[2007-07-02]].</ref>

*[[United States Republican presidential candidates, 2008]]

*[[United States Republican presidential candidates, 2008]]

*[[Republican Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008]]

*[[Republican Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008]]

Senator | name=Fred Dalton Thompson

Senator | name=Fred Dalton Thompson

| jr/sr=United States Senator

| jr/sr=United States Senator

| state=[[Tennessee]]

| state=[[Tennessee]]

| profession=[[character actor]], [[senator]], [[lawyer]], [[lobbyist]], [[public speaker]], [[radio personality]]

| profession=[[character actor]], [[senator]], [[lawyer]], [[lobbyist]], [[public speaker]], [[radio personality]]

| religion= [[Churches of Christ|Church of Christ]]

| religion= [[Churches of Christ|Church of Christ]]

 

'''Freddie Dalton "Fred" Thompson''' (born [[August 19]] [[1942]]) is an [[United States|American]] [[politician]], [[lawyer]], [[lobbyist]], and [[character actor]]. He represented [[Tennessee]] as a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] in the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] from 1994 through 2003.

'''Freddie Dalton "Fred" Thompson'''<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-thompson6sep06,0,7136744.story | last=Matthews | first=Joe | title=Thompson wed his ambition | publisher=''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' | date=[[6 September]], [[2007]] |accessdate=2007-09-06}}</ref><ref name="Knoxnews">{{cite news | url=http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2007/sep/07/fred-freddie-8212-hes-still-fd-thompson/ | title=Fred, Freddie — he's still F.D. Thompson: New details emerge on personal life of newly announced candidate | first=Tom | last=Humphrey | publisher=Knoxville News Sentinel | date=2007-09-07|accessdate=2007-09-08}}</ref> (born [[August 19]] [[1942]]) is an [[United States|American]] [[politician]], [[lawyer]], [[lobbyist]], and [[character actor]]. He represented [[Tennessee]] as a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] in the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] from 1994 through 2003.

Thompson is a member of the [[Council on Foreign Relations]] and a Visiting Fellow with the [[American Enterprise Institute]], specializing in [[national security]] and [[Intelligence (information gathering)|intelligence]].<ref>

Thompson is a member of the [[Council on Foreign Relations]] and a Visiting Fellow with the [[American Enterprise Institute]], specializing in [[national security]] and [[Intelligence (information gathering)|intelligence]].<ref>

[[Image:CroppedMidWestLeaderCong25Aug2007.jpg|right|133px|thumb|In [[Indianapolis]] on August 25, 2007.]]On [[March 11]] [[2007]], Thompson appeared on ''[[Fox News Sunday]]'' to discuss the possibility of a 2008 candidacy for president. Thompson's March 11 announcement spurred a flurry of activity.  One group of supporters organized under the banner "FredHeadsUSA" with a plan to build a grassroots political movement to expand on Thompson's support on the Internet.<ref>See the [http://FredHeadsUSA.org FredHeadsUSA web site] and the [http://FredHeads.com FredHeads web site].</ref>   

[[Image:CroppedMidWestLeaderCong25Aug2007.jpg|right|133px|thumb|In [[Indianapolis]] on August 25, 2007.]]On [[March 11]] [[2007]], Thompson appeared on ''[[Fox News Sunday]]'' to discuss the possibility of a 2008 candidacy for president. Thompson's March 11 announcement spurred a flurry of activity.  One group of supporters organized under the banner "FredHeadsUSA" with a plan to build a grassroots political movement to expand on Thompson's support on the Internet.<ref>See the [http://FredHeadsUSA.org FredHeadsUSA web site] and the [http://FredHeads.com FredHeads web site].</ref>   

On May 15, Thompson published a video in which he declined to debate [[Michael Moore]] about [[Cuba]].<ref>{{cite web

On May 15, Thompson published a video in which he declined to debate [[Michael Moore]] about [[Cuba]].

 

 

==Personal life==

==Personal life==

[[Image:The_Thompson_Family.jpg|left|thumb|Fred and Jeri Thompson with children in September of 2007.]]In September 1959, at the age of 17, Thompson [[marriage|married]] Sarah Elizabeth Lindsey.<ref>Mathews, Joe. [http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-thompson6sep06,0,7136744.story?coll=la-home-center “Thompson wed his ambition”], Los Angeles Times ([[2007-09-06]]): "In the summer of 1959….Lindsey told Thompson she was pregnant. He responded, friends say, by asking her to marry him…. Freddie and Sarah exchanged vows in a Methodist church during the second week of his senior year. Seven months later, in April 1960, 17-year-old Thompson had a son."</ref>  Their son, Freddie Dalton "Tony" Thompson Jr.<ref name="Knoxnews"/>, was born in [[April]] [[1960]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070506/NEWS0206/705060398 |title=Fred Thompson chronology |publisher=''[[The Tennessean]]'' |date=[[May 6]], [[2007]]}}</ref> Another son and a daughter were born soon thereafter.  While Thompson was attending [[law school]], both he and his wife worked to pay for his education and support their three children.<ref name=MC961201/>   

[[Image:The_Thompson_Family.jpg|left|thumb|Fred and Jeri Thompson with children in September of 2007.]]In September 1959, at the age of 17, Thompson [[marriage|married]] Sarah Elizabeth Lindsey.<ref>Mathews, Joe. [http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-thompson6sep06,0,7136744.story?coll=la-home-center “Thompson wed his ambition”], Los Angeles Times ([[2007-09-06]]): "In the summer of 1959….Lindsey told Thompson she was pregnant. He responded, friends say, by asking her to marry him…. Freddie and Sarah exchanged vows in a Methodist church during the second week of his senior year. Seven months later, in April 1960, 17-year-old Thompson had a son."</ref>  Their son, Freddie Dalton "Tony" Thompson Jr.<ref name="Knoxnews"/>, was born in [[April]] [[1960]].  Another son and a daughter were born soon thereafter.  While Thompson was attending [[law school]], both he and his wife worked to pay for his education and support their three children.<ref name=MC961201/>   

The couple [[divorce]]d in 1985.  They have two surviving children,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/02/us/politics/02thompson.html?ex=1341115200&en=090491f42de11114&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink |title=As Senator Rose, Lobbying Became Family Affair |first=David |last=Kirkpatrick |publisher=''[[New York Times]]'' |date=[[July 2]], [[2007]]}}</ref> as well as five grandchildren.  Thompson's daughter Elizabeth "Betsy" Thompson Panici died from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs on [[January 30]], [[2002]].<ref name=JF070317/><ref name="TIME070524">{{cite news |url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1624881,00.html

The couple [[divorce]]d in 1985.  They have two surviving children, as well as five grandchildren.  Thompson's daughter Elizabeth "Betsy" Thompson Panici died from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs on [[January 30]], [[2002]].<ref name=JF070317/>

|title=Has Fred Thompson Found His Role? |authorlink=Mark Halperin |last=Halperin |first=Mark |publisher=''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' |date=[[May 24]], [[2007]]}}</ref>

Prior to his second marriage, Thompson had been romantically linked to [[Country music|country]] singer [[Lorrie Morgan]], Republican [[fundraiser]] [[Georgette Mosbacher]] and [[columnist]] [[Margaret Carlson]].<ref>Baxter, Sarah.  [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article1977478.ece "Old Girlfriends Cast Their Vote for Thompson"], ''Times Online'' ([[2007-06-24]]).</ref> Thompson met Republican consultant [[Jeri Kehn]] in [[July]] [[1996]]<ref>{{cite news

Prior to his second marriage, Thompson had been romantically linked to [[Country music|country]] singer [[Lorrie Morgan]], Republican [[fundraiser]] [[Georgette Mosbacher]] and [[columnist]] [[Margaret Carlson]].<ref>Baxter, Sarah.  [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article1977478.ece "Old Girlfriends Cast Their Vote for Thompson"], ''Times Online'' ([[2007-06-24]]).</ref> Thompson met Republican consultant [[Jeri Kehn]] in [[July]] [[1996]] and the two married on [[June 29]], [[2002]]. They have two children.<ref name=JF070317/>

|publisher=''[[The Washington Post]]'' |date=[[July 2]], [[2002]]}}</ref> and the two married on [[June 29]], [[2002]]. They have two children.<ref name=JF070317/>

Thompson has [[non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]] (NHL), a form of [[cancer]]. "I have had no illness from it, or even any symptoms. My life expectancy should not be affected. I am in [[remission]], and it is very treatable with drugs if treatment is needed in the future — and with no debilitating side effects," Thompson said.<ref name=FN070411>{{cite news

Thompson has [[non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]] (NHL), a form of [[cancer]]. "I have had no illness from it, or even any symptoms. My life expectancy should not be affected. I am in [[remission]], and it is very treatable with drugs if treatment is needed in the future — and with no debilitating side effects," Thompson said.<ref name=FN070411>{{cite news

* ''[[Wiseguy]]'' (3 episodes, 1988, as "Knox Pooley")

* ''[[Wiseguy]]'' (3 episodes, 1988, as "Knox Pooley")

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