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{{DISPLAYTITLE:I'm With Fred08}}
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<p style="float:right;width:130px" align="center"><a href="http://amazon.com/dp/0976873710/?tag=fe01-20" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/21NrmCPEswL.jpg" />
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The Fred Factor: How Fred Thompson May Change The Face Of The '08 Campaign
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In less than 2 months time Fred Thompson exploded onto the scene of the 2008 Presidential Race.
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'''''THE FRED FACTOR ...How Fred Thompson May Change The Face of The '08 Campaign''''' tracks this amazing political phenomenon in real time and lays out "what happens next" in dramatic political fashion. Fred Thompson spends time in millions of American homes each week as a star of television's Law & Order. [http://amazon.com/dp/0976873710/?tag=fe01-20 The Fred Factor...How Fred Thompson May Change The Face of The '08 Campaign] reveals the man behind the role, a man who could very well be the next President of the United States.
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'''About the Author:'''
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Steve Gill is an attorney and host of the most influential radio talk show in Tennessee, The Steve Gill Show . He is also the Chief Political Analyst for WKRN News 2 (ABC) in Nashville and has also made frequent appearances as a commentator on CNN, FOX News Channel and MSNBC. For the past several years Business Tennessee named Gill among the 100 Most Powerful People in Tennessee . The Nashville Post business magazine has twice recognized Steve as the most powerful media personality in Middle Tennessee. Talkers Magazine has also recognized him as one of the 100 Most Influential Talk Radio Hosts in America .
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{{cquote2|We are steeped in the tradition of honor and sacrifice for the greater good.  We are proud of this heritage.  I believe that Americans are once again ready to achieve this greater good: which is nothing less than the security, prosperity, and unity of our country.|::[[Fred Thompson]]::}}
 
{{cquote2|We are steeped in the tradition of honor and sacrifice for the greater good.  We are proud of this heritage.  I believe that Americans are once again ready to achieve this greater good: which is nothing less than the security, prosperity, and unity of our country.|::[[Fred Thompson]]::}}
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== Official Fred08 Site ==
 
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== Politico '08 ==
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'''Thompson, Fred''' (1942- ), [[Republican]] member of the [[United States Senate]] from [[Tennessee]] (1995- ). Born in Sheffield, [[Alabama]], Thompson earned a bachelor's degree from [[Memphis State University]] in [[1964]] and a law degree from [[Vanderbilt University]] in 1967. From 1969 to 1972 he was the assistant United States attorney for the Middle Tennessee District. Thompson was the minority counsel for the U.S. Senate Watergate Committee for 1973 to 1974. It was during Thompson's questioning of Alexander Butterfield, one of President [[Richard Nixon]]'s [[White House]] aides, that the public first learned of the secret taping system that recorded all conversations in the president's office. In 1980 Thompson was a special counsel to Tennessee Governor Lamar Alexander, and from 1980 to 1982 he served as special counsel for two Senate committees.  
 
'''Thompson, Fred''' (1942- ), [[Republican]] member of the [[United States Senate]] from [[Tennessee]] (1995- ). Born in Sheffield, [[Alabama]], Thompson earned a bachelor's degree from [[Memphis State University]] in [[1964]] and a law degree from [[Vanderbilt University]] in 1967. From 1969 to 1972 he was the assistant United States attorney for the Middle Tennessee District. Thompson was the minority counsel for the U.S. Senate Watergate Committee for 1973 to 1974. It was during Thompson's questioning of Alexander Butterfield, one of President [[Richard Nixon]]'s [[White House]] aides, that the public first learned of the secret taping system that recorded all conversations in the president's office. In 1980 Thompson was a special counsel to Tennessee Governor Lamar Alexander, and from 1980 to 1982 he served as special counsel for two Senate committees.  
 
Thompson then pursued an [[Acting|acting]] career. An accomplished character actor, he appeared in 17 [[Movies|movies]], including [[The Hunt for Red October]] and [[In the Line of Fire]]. He usually played an authority figure, such as [[CIA]] chief, [[FBI]] director, or White House chief of staff. In one movie, [[Born Yesterday]], he played a U.S. [[Senator|senator]]. In 1994 Thompson was elected to the [[Senate]] after defeating Democrat [[Jim Cooper]].
 
Thompson then pursued an [[Acting|acting]] career. An accomplished character actor, he appeared in 17 [[Movies|movies]], including [[The Hunt for Red October]] and [[In the Line of Fire]]. He usually played an authority figure, such as [[CIA]] chief, [[FBI]] director, or White House chief of staff. In one movie, [[Born Yesterday]], he played a U.S. [[Senator|senator]]. In 1994 Thompson was elected to the [[Senate]] after defeating Democrat [[Jim Cooper]].
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{{cquote2|I think that we ought to be a tolerant nation. I think we ought to be tolerant people. But we shouldn't set up special categories for anybody.|::[[Fred Thompson]]::}}
 
{{cquote2|I think that we ought to be a tolerant nation. I think we ought to be tolerant people. But we shouldn't set up special categories for anybody.|::[[Fred Thompson]]::}}
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{{cquote2|We've got a situation where people could give politicians huge sums of money, which is the soft money situation at that time, and then come before those same politicians and ask them to pass legislation for them. I mean, you get thrown in jail for stuff like that in the real world.|::[[Fred Thompson]]::}}
 
{{cquote2|We've got a situation where people could give politicians huge sums of money, which is the soft money situation at that time, and then come before those same politicians and ask them to pass legislation for them. I mean, you get thrown in jail for stuff like that in the real world.|::[[Fred Thompson]]::}}
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=== Share this page ===
 
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At Long Last, Fred Takes the Big Plunge
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U.S. News & World Report, DC - 21 minutes ago
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DES MOINES—The crowd was modest in size, but it did respond well to Fred Thompson's applause lines. "Preseason is over," the former Tennessee senator ...
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Fred Thompson's campaign team brushes off flat debut New York Daily News
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Fred Thompson ready for his close-up Toronto Star
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Former Senator Fred Thompson officially on the campaign trail WQAD
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Washington Post - Knoxville News Sentinel
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all 244 news articles »
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Evangelicals Hesitant About Thompson
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The Associated Press - 2 hours ago
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Prominent evangelical leaders who spent the summer hoping Fred Thompson  would emerge as their favored Republican presidential contender are having doubts as ...
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Telegraph.co.uk
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Fred Thompson makes his first NH stop
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Boston Globe, United States - 13 hours ago
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By James W. Pindell, Globe Correspondent | September 9, 2007 STRATHAM, NH - Former US Senator Fred Thompson made his first New Hampshire campaign stop as an ...
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Thompson makes first trip to NH as candidate Boston Globe
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The Buzz: Fred Thompson draws more viewers than GOP debate Kansas City Star
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Thompson makes first trip to NH as candidate WCAX
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The Union Leader - Telegraph.co.uk
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all 45 news articles »
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Fred Thompson!!!
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Yahoo! News - 17 hours ago
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But Fred Thompson is like Ronald Reagan! He was a Republican! He hated commies! Fred Thompson hates commies, too, I bet! I hate commies! Russians! Hate 'em! ...
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In the Guise of Fred Thompson, Ronald Reagan Rides Again OpEdNews
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WHAT UNITES POLITICIANS: BIG GOVERNMENT Yahoo! News
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all 9 news articles »
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Boston Globe
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Fred Thompson Warns of al-Qaida Threats
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ABC News - Sep 7, 2007
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(AP Photo/Nati Harnik) The Associated Press By MIKE GLOVER Associated Press Writer Republican Fred Thompson said Friday  that terrorist mastermind Osama bin ...
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Thompson Revisits bin Laden Comments Washington Post
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Funnies: Will The Real Bin Laden Please Stand Up ABC News
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The Symbiotic, Symbolistic Brotherhood of Bush and bin Laden OpEdNews
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New York Post - Wake Up America
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all 210 news articles »
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The Associated Press
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Thompson Urges No Letup in Terror Fight
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The Associated Press - 17 hours ago
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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Republican Fred Thompson said Saturday people around the world are looking for any signs the US is relenting  in combating Islamic ...
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Thompson urges no letup in combating Islamic radicals WOI
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Thompson hits his slow stride The Tennessean
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all 73 news articles »
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Daily Mail
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Fred Thompson, The Tennessee stud
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Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - 19 hours ago
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... but now the talking is over and the new definition of American conservatism is the holding of views identical to those of Fred Thompson. ...
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Revealed: US presidential candidate Fred Thompson's womanising ways Daily Mail
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all 4 news articles »
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Telegraph.co.uk
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Valium Fred, the panacea of the people
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Times Online, UK - 20 hours ago
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People like Fred Thompson. So far as I can tell, that is  currently the prime rationale for his candidacy for president of the United States. ...
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NATIONAL POLITICAL DIGEST Detroit Free Press
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Fred Thompson stumbles on to election stage Telegraph.co.uk
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Conservatives, Beware of Fred Thompson Free Market News Network
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New York Times - Guardian Unlimited
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all 36 news articles »
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National Ledger
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Underestimating Fred Thompson's appeal would be a mistake
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TriCities.com, TN - 14 hours ago
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BY Andrea Hopkins Fred Thompson, who famously drove a pickup truck across Tennessee in his bid for the Senate, is auditioning for a new role: president. ...
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Fred Thompson Goes to Hollywood to Enter Race NPR
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'Special Report' Panel on Fred Thompson Factor; Progress in Iraq FOX News
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Easygoing Fred Thompson Faces Hardest Role Bloomberg
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Yahoo! News - Salt Lake Tribune
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all 40 news articles »
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Lightning sparks 2 fires
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WCAX, VT - 3 hours ago
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... that sparked two fires, and high winds that caused some havoc at a gathering in Stratham, just before presidential hopeful Fred Thompson arrived. ...
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[[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.
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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."
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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. 
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On May 15, Thompson published a video in which he declined to debate [[Michael Moore]] about [[Cuba]].
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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]]).
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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 }}
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[[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>
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On [[July 31]], [[2007]], the Thompson committee reported to the [[IRS]] that it had raised almost $3.5 million and spent $625,000 in its first month.<ref>{{cite web | title =Thompson Committee Raises Millions in One Month | url=http://www.imwithfred.com/NewsRoom/PressRelease.aspx?ID=8c4ac4e0-c108-4ec2-aba4-57fe00281f4c | date=[[August 4]], [[2007]] | access date =[[2007-08-13]] }}</ref>
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Thompson visited [[Iowa]] on [[August 17]], [[2007]], but did not then officially launch his presidential campaign. Thompson was asked by [[NBC]] if he was officially in the race for president. Thompson replied with a simple "No." It was also noted that Thompson was already prepping for the Republican debates, so that he would be able to join the other Republican candidates on stage at the events after becoming an announced candidate.
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Prior to Thompson's entry into the presidential race on [[September 5]], [[2007]], the [[September 10]], [[2007]] issue of ''[[Newsweek]]'' hit newsstands with a detailed [[cover story]] about him.<ref>Bailey, Holly. [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20546334/site/newsweek/page/0/ "Grin and Bear It"], ''Newsweek'' ([[2007-09-10]]).</ref>
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===Official announcement===
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[[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]].
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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]].
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===Campaign staff===
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Political insiders in Tennessee expected the inner circle of a Thompson campaign to include, in addition to his politically experienced wife, a number of functionaries with whom Thompson has been associated in the past.<ref>Cillizza, Chris. [http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/06/inner_circle_fred_thompson.html "Fred Thompson's Inner Circle"], ''washingtonpost.com's Politics Blog'' ([[2007-06-12]]).</ref>  Also said to be likely senior advisers were former Republican National Committee chair [[Ed Gillespie]], former vice president of the food and tobacco company [[Altria]] Tom Collamore, PR man [[Mark Corallo]], former chairman of the Federal Election Commission [[Michael E. Toner]], former Senate aide Tom Daffron, longtime Tennessee politician Tom Ingram and Congressman [[Zach Wamp]].<ref>{{cite news | first = Ken  | last = Whitehouse  | title = The 'Inner Fred'  | url = http://www.nashvillepost.com/news/2007/6/1/the_inner_fred
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| publisher = [[NashvillePost.com]] | date = [[June 1]], [[2007]]  | accessdate = 2007-06-01 }}</ref>
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On July 24, 2007, Thompson announced he was replacing his acting campaign manager, Tom Collamore, with former [[Michigan]] Senator and Secretary of Energy [[Spencer Abraham]] and [[Florida]] GOP strategist Randy Enright.<ref name="camp1">[http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8QJ5HJ00&show_article=1 '''Associated Press''', ''Thompson Shakes Up Staff'', by LIBBY QUAID, July 24, 2007]</ref> Collamore would remain as an advisor, Enright would be political director, and Abraham did not have a title.<ref>{{cite web | title = Former Michigan senator Abraham to co-chair Thompson bid | first = Lib | last = Quaid | publisher = Associated Press | url= http://www.imwithfred.com/NewsRoom/InTheNews.aspx?ID=e97eccdd-f6e0-4519-b891-11bf031efcfc | date = [[July 25]], [[2007]] | accessdate = 2007-08-13}}</ref>  On [[August 8]], [[2007]], [[Bill Lacy]] was named manager of Thompson's "testing the waters committee". Lacy had worked in the campaigns of Presidents Reagan and Bush, as well as Senator [[Bob Dole]], and had worked on Thompson's 1994 campaign.<ref>{{cite web | title =Bill Lacy Named Committee Manager | url=http://www.imwithfred.com/NewsRoom/PressRelease.aspx?ID=9d594519-30fe-4026-83e3-3d5eda6fb1d1 | date=[[August 8]], [[2007]] | access date =[[2007-08-13]] }}</ref>
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==Polls==
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{{main | Opinion polling for the United States presidential election, 2008| Opinion polling for the Republican Party (United States) 2008 presidential candidates  |l1= General Election Polling |l2= GOP Primary Polling}}
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Public opinion polls indicate strength nationwide, and in the states that vote early in the caucus and primary schedule.
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===First Six Republican Primaries and Caucuses, plus California and New York===
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====Iowa====
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[[Image:2008 GOP Iowa.jpg|701px]] <ref>[[Opinion_polling_for_the_Republican_Party_%28United_States%29_presidential_primaries%2C_2008#Iowa]]</ref>
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====Michigan====
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[[Image:2008 GOP Michigan.jpg|700px]]
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<ref>[[Opinion_polling_for_the_Republican_Party_%28United_States%29_presidential_primaries%2C_2008#Michigan]]</ref>
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====South Carolina====
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[[Image:2008 GOP South Carolina.jpg|701px]]
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<ref>[[Opinion_polling_for_the_Republican_Party_%28United_States%29_presidential_primaries%2C_2008#South_Carolina]]</ref>
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====Nevada====
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[[Image:2008 GOP Nevada.jpg|700px]]
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<ref>[[Opinion_polling_for_the_Republican_Party_%28United_States%29_presidential_primaries%2C_2008#Nevada]]</ref>
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====New Hampshire====
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[[Image:2008 GOP New Hampshire.jpg|700px]]
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<ref>[[Opinion_polling_for_the_Republican_Party_%28United_States%29_presidential_primaries%2C_2008#New_Hampshire]]</ref>
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====Florida====
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[[Image:2008 GOP Florida.jpg|700px]]
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<ref>[[Opinion_polling_for_the_Republican_Party_%28United_States%29_presidential_primaries%2C_2008#Florida]]</ref>
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====California====
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[[Image:2008 GOP California.jpg|700px]]
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<ref>[[Opinion_polling_for_the_Republican_Party_%28United_States%29_presidential_primaries%2C_2008#California]]</ref>
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====New York====
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[[Image:2008 GOP New York.jpg|700px]]
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<ref>[[Opinion_polling_for_the_Republican_Party_%28United_States%29_presidential_primaries%2C_2008#New_York]]</ref>
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===Hypothetical Presidential Matchups===
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=====Obama v. Thompson=====
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[[Image:2008_Polling_BO_FT.jpg|700px]]<ref>[[Opinion_polling_for_the_United_States_presidential_election%2C_2008#Two-way_contest]]</ref>
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=====Clinton v. Thompson=====
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[[Image:2008_Polling_HC_FT.jpg|700px]]<ref>[[Opinion_polling_for_the_United_States_presidential_election%2C_2008#Two-way_contest]]</ref>
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=====Edwards v. Thompson=====
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[[Image:2008_Polling_JE_FT.jpg|700px]]<ref>[[Opinion_polling_for_the_United_States_presidential_election%2C_2008#Two-way_contest]]</ref>
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==Endorsements==
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As of [[September 6]] [[2007]], Thompson had been endorsed by 20 current members of Congress, including both Tennessee senators.<ref>[http://thehill.com/endorsements-2008.html Endorsements '08], ''The Hill'' ([[2007-08-01]]).  Retrieved [[2007-08-30]].</ref>  Also, on [[June 12]] [[2007]] former U.S. Senator [[Alfonse D'Amato]] (New York) endorsed Thompson for president.<ref>Keating, Raymond. [http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-opkea185259368jun18,0,5031278.story?coll=ny-viewpoints-headlinesa "D'Amato could be right on Thompson"], ''Newsday'' ([[2007-06-18]]).  Retrieved [[2007-08-30]].</ref>
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Former Senate Majority Leader [[Howard Baker]] of Tennessee also expressed his support, saying: "If I had to pick one thing that qualifies him to be president, it's this: he approaches things calmly, deliberately—and he doesn't shoot from the hip."<ref>Bailey, Holly. [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20546334/site/newsweek/page/0/ "Grin and Bear It"],  ''Newsweek'' ([[2007-09-10]]).</ref>
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==Political positions==
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{{Main|Political positions of Fred Thompson}}
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[[Federalism]] is his [[lodestar]], providing "a basis for a proper analysis of most issues: 'Is this something government should be doing? If so, at what level of government?'"<ref name="federalism">Thompson, Fred. [http://www.aei.org/publications/pubID.26016,filter.all/pub_detail.asp "Federalism 'n' Me"], [[American Enterprise Institute|AEI]] ([[2007-04-23]]). Retrieved [[2007-05-13]].</ref>
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Thompson supports [[free trade]] and [[tax cut|low taxes]].<ref name="Lincoln Day">Thompson, Fred. [http://abcradionetworks.com/article.asp?id=402282&SPID=15663 "Prepared Remarks for Speech to Lincoln Club Annual Dinner"], [[ABC Radio]], [[May 4]], [[2007]]. Accessed [[May 13]], [[2007]].</ref> <ref>Thompson, Fred. [http://abcradionetworks.com/article.asp?id=386748&SPID=15663 "Case Closed: Tax Cuts Mean Growth"], [[ABC Radio]], [[April 14]], [[2007]]. Accessed [[May 13]], [[2007]].</ref>  He says that ''[[Roe v. Wade]]'' was a wrong decision that ought to be overturned, and that he is [[pro-life]],<ref>{{cite news
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  | title = Transcript: Former Sen. Fred Thompson on 'FOX News Sunday'
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  | url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,258222,00.html
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  | date = [[2007-03-11]]
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  | accessdate = 2007-06-17 }}</ref> but he also has said that states should decide not to criminalize young women for early term [[abortion in the United States|abortions]].<ref name="hannity">[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,278554,00.html "Exclusive! Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson on Possible White House Bid"], ''Fox News Interview'' ([[2007-06-05]]).</ref> <ref>Bailey, Holly. "[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19263100/site/newsweek/page/0/ Away From the Cameras]," ''Newsweek'' ([[2007-06-25]]).</ref> Thompson is skeptical that humanity is to blame for [[global warming]].<ref>Thompson, Fred. [http://www.aei.org/publications/filter.all,pubID.25833/pub_detail.asp "Plutonic Warming"], [[American Enterprise Institute|AEI]], [[March 22]], [[2007]]. Accessed [[May 13]], [[2007]].</ref>  He says citizens are entitled to [[Second Amendment to the United States Constitution|keep and bear arms]] if they do not have criminal records.<ref name=ArmedWithTruth>Thompson, Fred. [http://abcradionetworks.com/article.asp?id=405250&SPID=15663 "Armed with the Truth"], [[ABC Radio]], [[May 10]], [[2007]]. Accessed [[May 13]], [[2007]].</ref>  Thompson's support of the [[McCain-Feingold]] campaign finance legislation brought criticism from groups such as [[Gun Owners of America]] (GOA), who said that the legislation limited their ability to inform the public about the gun rights voting records of incumbent politicians.<ref name=GOA>Fields, Craig. [http://gunowners.org/pres08/thompson2.htm "Presidential Candidates And The Second Amendment: Fred Thompson"], Gun Owners of America (GOA). Accessed [[June 10]], [[2007]].</ref>  Thompson now says that the limitation on political speech within thirty or sixty days of an election was wrong and should be repealed.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,278554,00.html Sean Hannity interview of Fred Thompson], Fox News, [[June 6]], [[2007]]. Accessed [[June 9]], [[2007]].</ref>Thompson says U.S. borders need to be secured before considering comprehensive [[Illegal immigration to the United States|immigration]] reform.<ref name="Lincoln Day"/>  Thompson supported the U.S. invasion of [[Iraq]], but he believes that mistakes have been made since then.<ref name= FNS311>{{cite web
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  | title = Former Sen. Fred Thompson on 'FOX News Sunday'
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  | date = [[2007-03-11]]
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  | url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,258222,00.html
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  | accessdate =  2007-07-02 }}</ref> He is opposed to withdrawal from Iraq.<ref name=>{{cite web
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  | title = Thompson: U.S. must rebuild military
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  | date = [[2007-08-21]]
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  | url = http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070821/ap_po/candidates_iraq
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  | 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>
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*[[United States Republican presidential candidates, 2008]]
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*[[Republican Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008]]
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Senator | name=Fred Dalton Thompson
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| jr/sr=United States Senator
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| state=[[Tennessee]]
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| party=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
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| term_start=[[December 2]] [[1994]]
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| term_end=[[January 3]] [[2003]]
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| preceded=[[Harlan Mathews]]
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| succeeded=[[Lamar Alexander]]
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| date of birth={{birth date and age|1942|08|19}}
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| place of birth=[[Sheffield, Alabama|Sheffield]], [[Alabama]], [[USA]]
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| dead=alive
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| date of death=
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| place of death=
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| spouse=(1) Sarah Elizabeth Lindsey (Knestrick), 1959–1985; divorced<br/>(2) [[Jeri Kehn]], 2002–Present
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| alma_mater=[[University of Memphis|Memphis State University]], [[Vanderbilt University]]
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| profession=[[character actor]], [[senator]], [[lawyer]], [[lobbyist]], [[public speaker]], [[radio personality]]
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| religion= [[Churches of Christ|Church of Christ]]
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'''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.
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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>
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American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, [http://www.aei.org/scholars/scholarID.78/scholar.asp Scholars & Fellows].</ref><ref name=MPA>{{cite web |last=Thompson |first=Fred | url=http://mpa.utk.edu/thompson/ |title=Modern Political Archives: Fred Thompson Papers, 1993–2002 |publisher=[[University of Tennessee]] | accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref>  He resides in [[McLean, Virginia]] near [[Washington, D.C.]].<ref name=KNS070314>{{cite news
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|url=http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/politics/article/0,1406,KNS_356_5416046,00.html
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|last=Locker |first=Richard
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|title=Thompson may house hunt in Tenn.
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|publisher=''[[Knoxville News Sentinel]]''
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|date=[[14 March]], [[2007]] |accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref>
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As an actor, Thompson has performed in film and on television.  He has frequently portrayed [[governmental]] figures.<ref name="NYT941112">{{cite news
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|last=Bragg |first=Rick
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|title=Grits and Glitter Campaign Helps Actor Who Played a Senator Become One
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|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]'' |pages=Sec. 1, p. 10
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|url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20710FA3D550C718DDDA80994DC494D81
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|date =[[November 12]], [[1994]] |accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref>  In the final months of his U.S. Senate term in 2002, Thompson joined the cast of the long-running [[National Broadcasting Company|NBC]] [[television series]] ''[[Law & Order]]'', playing [[New York City]] [[District Attorney]] [[Arthur Branch]]. 
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On [[May 30]], [[2007]], Thompson asked to be released from his television duties, potentially in preparation for a presidential bid.<ref name="lawandorder">''Associated Press'' and Cameron, Carl.  [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,276634,00.html "Fred Thompson Quits 'Law & Order,' Moves Closer to 2008 White House Bid"], ''Fox News'' ([[2007-05-31]]).</ref>  Then, on [[June 1]] [[2007]], he formed a presidential exploratory committee regarding his possible [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 campaign for president]]. On [[September 5]], [[2007]], Thompson announced on ''[[The Tonight Show]]'': "I'm running for president of the United States,"<ref name=Forbes20070905>{{cite news |url=http://www.forbes.com/leadership/2007/09/05/politics-republicans-presidency-lead-cx_sm_0905thompson.html|date=2007-09-05 |publisher=Forbes |title=Thompson Finally Steps Onstage |author=Steve McGookin}}  Brief excerpts from the Tonight Show appearance are [http://www.nbc.com/The_Tonight_Show_with_Jay_Leno/video/#mea=152939 available from NBC].  The full Tonight Show transcript is [http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ODhkNWRjMWU2YWMzNWFkMDlkYWNkYmFlMzBkM2RlZDQ= here].</ref><ref>[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aHxgdiVBgi1U&refer=home Bloomberg.com: Worldwide.] Retrieved [[September 6]], [[2007]].</ref> and he steered viewers to his web site for a 15-minute video announcement of his candidacy.<ref name="bond">Bond, Paul. [http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/fred_on_leno/2007/09/06/30283.html "Fred Thompson Says Rivals Got in Presidential Race Too Early"] ([[2007-09-06]]).  The 15-minute internet video that accompanied Thompson's televised announcement is available at [http://www.Fred08.com Fred08.com] and is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeEmhz3KljI also available at YouTube].</ref>
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==Early life and education==
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Thompson was born in [[Sheffield, Alabama]] to Ruth Inez (Bradley) and Fletcher Session Thompson.<ref>[http://www.filmreference.com/film/50/Fred-Dalton-Thompson.html Fred Dalton Thompson Biography (1942-)] via filmreference.com.</ref><ref name="thompsonancestry">{{cite web
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|last=Reitwiesner |first=William Addams
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|title=Ancestry of Fred Thompson |publisher=self-published, non-authoritative
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|url=http://www.wargs.com/political/thompsonf.html |accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref>  He attended [[public school]] in [[Lawrenceburg, Tennessee|Lawrenceburg]], [[Tennessee]], graduating from [[Lawrence County High School]].  After graduation, he worked days in the local post office and nights at a bicycle assembly plant.<ref name="Lawrimore" />
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Thompson entered Florence State College, now the [[University of North Alabama]], becoming the first member of his family to go to college.<ref name="about">[http://www.imwithfred.com/About.aspx "About Fred"], via imwithfred.com (Official Site).  Retrieved ([[2007-07-13]]).</ref>  He subsequently transferred to Memphis State University, now the [[University of Memphis]], where he earned a [[double degree|double-major]] in [[philosophy]] and [[political science]] in 1964, as well as scholarships to both [[Tulane University Law School|Tulane]] and [[Vanderbilt University Law School|Vanderbilt]] law schools.<ref name="Lawrimore" />  He went on to earn his [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] degree from Vanderbilt in 1967.<ref name="about" />
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==Attorney==
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Thompson was admitted to the [[bar (law)|State Bar of Tennessee]] in 1967.  He worked as an assistant [[United States Attorney|U.S. attorney]] from 1969 to 1972.<ref>[http://www.lawrenceburgs.com/fred-thompson.html Fred Thompson Hometown Biography], Lawrenceburg Tennessee</ref> In that position, he successfully prosecuted bank robbery and other cases.<ref name="Lawrimore" />  At that time, he shortened his first name from Freddie to Fred.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2007/09/freddie.html|last=Malcolm |first=Andrew|title=Shocking truth about Fred Thompson revealed!|publisher=''[[Los Angeles Times]]''|date=[[6 September]], [[2007]] |accessdate=2007-09-06}}</ref>
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In 1972, he was the campaign manager for Republican U.S. Senator [[Howard Baker]]'s successful re-election campaign, which led to a close friendship with Baker. He later served as co-chief counsel to the [[Senate Watergate Committee]] in its investigation of the [[Watergate scandal]], (1973–1974), and afterwards wrote a book about it.<ref>Thompson, Fred. ''[http://www.worldcatlibraries.org/oclc/1583707 At That Point in Time: The inside story of the Senate Watergate Committee]'' (1975).</ref>
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Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Thompson worked primarily as an attorney, with law offices in [[Nashville]] and Washington, DC.  Among the cases Thompson handled in his private law practice were [[personal injury]] claims and the defense of individuals accused of [[white collar crime]]s.<ref>Vogel, Kenneth.  [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/13/politics/politico/main2921899.shtml "Rivals Take Aim At Thompson"], ''[[CBS News]]'' ([[2007-06-12]]).  Retrieved [[2007-07-08]].</ref>  While in private practice, he also accepted appointments as [[Special Counsel]] to the [[Senate Foreign Relations Committee]] (1980–1981), Special Counsel to the [[Senate Intelligence Committee]] (1982), and Member of the Appellate Court Nominating Commission for the State of Tennessee (1985–1987).<ref name="Lawrimore" /><ref name="about" /> 
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His clients included foreign corporations, such as a [[Germany|German]] mining group and [[Japan]]'s [[Toyota|Toyota Motors Corporation]].<ref name="MC961201" />  Thompson has served on various corporate boards.  For example, in the 1990s, he did legal work for the engineering firm [[Stone & Webster]], while also serving on its [[board of directors]].<ref name="Dilanian" />
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===Role in Watergate hearings===
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{{main|Watergate scandal}}
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[[Image:ThompsonWatergate.jpg|right|300px|thumb|From left to right: Fred Thompson (minority counsel), [[Howard Baker]], and [[Sam Ervin]] of the Senate Watergate Committee in 1973.]]
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Thompson was appointed minority counsel for the hearings surrounding the [[Watergate scandal]].<ref name="thompsoncooperates">{{cite news |last=| first= | |publisher=''[[Associated Press]]''|title=Thompson cooperated with White House during Watergate |url=http://www.wmcstations.com/Global/story.asp?S=6757748|date=[[08 March]], [[2007]]}}</ref> He was responsible for Baker's asking one of the questions that is said to have led directly to the downfall of [[President of the United States|President]] [[Richard Nixon]]: "What did the President know, and when did he know it?"<ref name="foxthompsonmulls">
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{{cite news |last=Cameron| first=Carl | |publisher=''[[FoxNews]]''|title=National TV Star, Former Republican Senator Fred Thompson Mulls '08 Presidential Bid|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,257858,00.html|date=[[08 March]], [[2007]]}}
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</ref>
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Thompson himself asked former White House aide [[Alexander Butterfield]] at a public committee hearing about listening devices in the White House, although the committee already knew the answer to that question (Butterfield had been interviewed earlier by Senate investigators in closed session).<ref name="thompsoncooperates">
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{{cite news |last=| first= | |publisher=''[[WMC TV]]''|title=National Thompson cooperated with White House during Watergate |url=http://www.wmcstations.com/Global/story.asp?S=6757748|date=[[08 March]], [[2007]]}}
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</ref><ref name=MC961201>{{cite news |last=Cottle |first=Michelle |url=http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/archives/9612.cottle.html
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|title=Another Beltway Bubba? |publisher=''[[Washington Monthly]]''|date=[[1 December]], [[1996]] |accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref>
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Nixon was reportedly angry that Thompson had been selected as minority counsel to the Senate Watergate committee; Nixon believed the young Thompson was not skilled enough to interrogate unfriendly witnesses and would be outfoxed by committee [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]].<ref name="Lowy" />  According to historian Stanley Kutler, Thompson and Baker "carried water for the White House, but I have to give them credit — they were watching out for their interests, too... They weren't going to mindlessly go down the tubes" for Nixon.<ref name="Lowy">
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Lowy, Joan.  "[http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/07/07/fred_thompson_aided_nixon_on_watergate/ Fred Thompson Aided Nixon on Watergate]," ''Associated Press'' ([[2007-07-07]]).</ref>
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In his Watergate memoir, Thompson acknowledged that he provided information to Nixon's lawyer even though he had no authority to act for the committee.  Thompson "believed it would be in everyone's interest if the White House realized, before making any public statements, the probable position of both the majority and the minority of the Watergate committee" regarding the [[Watergate tapes]].<ref name="Lowy" /> In response to renewed interest in this matter, Thompson says, "I'm glad all of this has finally caused someone to read my Watergate book, even though it's taken them over 30 years."<ref name="Boston Globe-Kranish-2007-07-04">{{cite news |last=Kranish |first=Michael |title=Not all would put a heroic sheen on Thompson's Watergate role |publisher=''[[The Boston Globe]]'' |pages=Sec. 1, p. 10 |url=http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/07/04/not_all_would_put_a_heroic_sheen_on_thompsons_watergate_role/ |date =July 4, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-08}}</ref>
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===Corruption case against Tennessee Governor===
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In 1977, Thompson represented Marie Ragghianti, a former Tennessee Parole Board chair. Ragghianti had refused to release felons who had [[bribery|bribed]] aides to Democratic Governor [[Ray Blanton]] in order to obtain [[clemency]].<ref name="blanton">''[http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/imagegallery.php?EntryID=B049 The Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture: Leonard Ray Blanton, 1930–1996].  Retrieved [[2007-07-31]].</ref>  With Thompson's assistance, Ragghianti filed a wrongful termination suit against Blanton's office. Thompson helped to expose the cash-for-clemency scheme that eventually led to Blanton's removal from the Governor's office.<ref name=MC961201/>  In [[July]] [[1978]], a jury awarded Ragghianti $38,000 in back pay, and ordered her reinstatement.<ref name="blanton" /> Ragghianti's case would garner national attention, leading to the publication of a book titled, ''Marie'', and [[Marie (film)|a film of the same name]].
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==Lobbyist==
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Thompson has been a [[lobbying|lobbyist]] intermittently since 1975, and has earned about $1 million from his lobbying efforts during that time.  He said that criticism about his lobbying activities  likely would intensify as he got closer to announcing his candidacy, but that he expected that such criticism would likely produce “the same results” as it did during his 1994 and 1996 Senate races.<ref name="DefendsLobbying"/>  Except for the year 1981, his lobbying never amounted to more than a third of his income.<ref name="appeal">Locker, Richard. "Thompson tells why lobbyist pay rose with GOP-led Senate", ''Commercial Appeal'' ([[1994-11-05]]).</ref>  According to the ''[[Commercial Appeal]]'' newspaper: 
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<blockquote>Fred Thompson earned about half a million dollars from Washington lobbying from 1975 through 1993....Lobbyist disclosure records show Thompson had six lobbying clients: [[Westinghouse]], two [[cable television]] companies, the Tennessee Savings and Loan League, the Teamsters Union's Central States Pension Fund, and a [[Baltimore]]-based business coalition that lobbied for federal grants.<ref name="appeal" /></blockquote>
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For example, in 1982, on behalf of the Tennessee Savings and Loan League, Thompson lobbied Congress to pass the [[Garn - St Germain Depository Institutions Act|Garn - St Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982]] which [[deregulation|deregulated]] the [[Savings and loan association|Savings and Loan]] (S&L) industry.<ref name=MC961201/>  This Act was supported by President [[Ronald Reagan]] and a large congressional majority, but it turned out to be one of many contributing factors that led to the [[savings and loan crisis]] of the late 1980s.<ref>Leibold, Arthur.  "Some Hope for the Future After a Failed National Policy for Thrifts" ''in'' Barth, James et al. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=lzys8fDJn3AC&pg=PA58&ots=GY1occB50v&dq=garn+and+%22strunk+and+case%22+and+%22Where+deregulation+went+wrong%22&sig=w5wF8tDnYHZjj7vue2Y_cxALc-c#PPA58,M1 The Savings and Loan Crisis: Lessons from a Regulatory Failure]'', pages 58–59 (2004).  Leibold cites Strunk and Case, ''Where Regulation Went Wrong: A Look at the Causes Behind Savings and Loan Failures in the 1980s'', pages 14–16 (1988).</ref>  Thompson received $1600 for communicating with some congressional staffers on this issue.<ref name="appeal" />
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Thompson also did some lobbying for free.  For example, when [[Haiti]]an President [[Jean-Bertrand Aristide]] was overthrown in 1991, Thompson made a telephone call to [[John H. Sununu]], then [[White House Chief of Staff]], in order to advocate restoration of Aristide's government.<ref name="lobbying">Vogel, Kenneth.  [http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0407/3404.html "'Law & Order' And Lobbying"], ''The Politico'' ([[2007-04-02]]).</ref> In 1994, Aristide was restored to power by U.S. troops under President [[Bill Clinton]].<ref name="DefendsLobbying">{{cite news
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|url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2007-06-26-thompson-lobbyist_N.htm |title=Fred Thompson defends lobbyist past |first= |last= |publisher=''[[USA Today]]'' |date=[[June 26]], [[2007]] |accessdate=2007-07-25}}</ref>
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Billing records show that Thompson, [[Political_positions_of_Fred_Thompson#Abortion|who describes his position]] as [[pro-life]], was paid for about 20 hours of work in 1991 and 1992 on behalf of a [[family planning]] group trying to ease a departmental regulation on [[abortion]] counseling in federally-funded clinics.<ref>{{cite news
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|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/07/19/MNGAGR38681.DTL |title=Thompson lobbied for family planning |first= |last= |publisher=''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' |date=[[July 19]], [[2007]] |accessdate=2007-07-19}}</ref>  President [[George H.W. Bush]] eased the departmental regulation when he sent a memo to [[United States Department of Health and Human Services|Health and Human Services]] Secretary [[Louis Sullivan]] stating that the regulation should allow referrals of women to facilities that perform abortion, but not to facilities whose principal business is providing abortions.<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12317314&dopt=Abstract "Future uncertain as Congressional drive to block Title X gag rule fails"], Wash Memo Alan Guttmacher Inst. 1991 Nov 22;(18):1–2, 4.</ref> With this easing of the regulation, Congress failed by 12 votes to override a veto by President [[George H.W. Bush]] of legislation that would have completely overturned the regulation.<ref name="clymer">Clymer, Adam.  [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9D0CE7DB173EF933A15752C1A967958260 "President Vetoes Bill on Abortion; Override Bid Fails"], ''New York Times'' ([[1991-11-20]]).</ref>     
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After leaving the Senate in 2003, Thompson's only lobbying work was for the [[London]]-based [[reinsurance]] company [[Equitas|Equitas Ltd]]. He was paid $760,000 between 2004 and 2006 in order to help prevent passage of legislation that Equitas said unfairly singled them out for unfavorable treatment regarding [[asbestos and the law|asbestos claims]].<ref name="Dilanian">Dilanian, Ken. [http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2007-06-06-thompson-resume_n.htm Past as lobbyist may play into future as candidate], [[USA Today]] ([[2007-06-06]]).</ref>  Thompson spokesman Mark Corrallo said that Thompson was proud to have been a lobbyist and believed in Equitas' cause.<ref>Birnbaum, Jeffrey. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/11/AR2007061102078.html "Thompson Will Take On Outsider Role After Playing Access Man"], ''Washington Post'', June 12, 2007</ref>
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==Character actor==
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The 1977 corruption case against Tennessee Governor [[Ray Blanton]] later became the subject of a 1983 book, ''Marie'', by [[Peter Maas]]. Director [[Roger Donaldson]] bought the film rights and traveled to Nashville to speak with the people involved with the original case. After meeting with Thompson, Donaldson asked Thompson if he wanted to play himself in the movie; Thompson agreed. The resulting film, ''[[Marie (film)|Marie]]'', was released in 1985.
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Donaldson then cast Thompson in the part of the [[CIA Director]] in his next movie, ''[[No Way Out (1987 film)|No Way Out]]'', in 1987.<ref name=Hayes070502>{{cite news
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|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/013/528aylls.asp |title=From the Courthouse to the White House
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|first=Stephen F. |last=Hayes |publisher=[[Weekly Standard]]
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|date=[[April 23]], [[2007]] |accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> Thompson would go on to appear in many films and television shows.  A 1994 ''[[New York Times]]'' profile wrote that "When [[Hollywood]] directors need someone who can personify governmental power, they often turn to [Thompson]."<ref name=NYT941112/>
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In the final months of his [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] term in 2002, Thompson joined the cast of the long-running [[National Broadcasting Company|NBC]] [[television series]] ''[[Law & Order]]'', playing District Attorney [[Arthur Branch]]. Thompson began filming during the [[August 2002]] Senate recess.<ref name="Lawrimore">Lawrimore, Erin. [http://dlc.lib.utk.edu/f/fa/fulltext/2113.html "Biography/History"], University of Tennessee Special Collections Library ([[2005]]).</ref> 
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He has also made occasional appearances in the same role on other TV shows, such as ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]'', ''[[Law & Order: Criminal Intent]]'', and the [[pilot episode]] of ''[[Conviction (TV Series)|Conviction]]''.  On [[May 30]] [[2007]], he asked to be released from the role, potentially in preparation for a presidential bid.<ref name="lawandorder"/>  Due to concerns about the [[equal-time rule]], scenes with Branch will be excised from reruns shown on [[NBC]], but [[Turner Network Television|TNT]] episodes will be unaffected.<ref>[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003863480_campdig01.html "TNT won't pull reruns starring Thompson"], ''Seattle Times'' ([[2007-09-01]]).</ref>
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==Senate (1994–2003)==
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===Two campaigns for U.S. Senate===
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In 1994, Thompson was elected to finish the remaining two years of [[Al Gore]]'s unexpired [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] term. Gore had been elected [[Vice President of the United States]] in [[1992 United States Presidential Election|1992]], and resigned his Senate seat leaving [[Harlan Mathews]] as "caretaker" of the seat. During the 1994 campaign, Thompson's opponent was longtime Nashville Congressman [[Jim Cooper]]. Thompson campaigned in a red pickup truck, and Cooper charged that Thompson "is a lobbyist and actor who talks about lower taxes, talks about change, while he drives a rented stage prop."<ref>Powers, William.  [http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/72290312.html?dids=72290312:72290312&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Oct+21%2C+1994&author=William+F.+Powers&pub=The+Washington+Post+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&edition=&startpage=c.01&desc=THE+POLITICIAN%27S+PICKUP+LINES "The Politician's Pickup Lines"], ''[[Washington Post]]'' ([[1994-10-21]]).  There is some question about whether Thompson actually did the driving.  According to Kevin Drum of the ''[[Washington Monthly]]'', "Thompson didn't even deign to drive the thing himself."  Drum, Kevin. [http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2007_05/011261.php "Fred Thompson's Red Pick-up Truck"], ''[[Washington Monthly]]'' ([[2007-05-07]]).  Retrieved [[2007-06-18]].  Media reports in May and June 2007 said that Thompson still has the truck, which is "parked behind Thompson's mother's home outside Nashville."  Chipman, Kim. [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=a7y1WghyX5NI&refer=politics "Thompson's Backers Check His `Fire in the Belly' for 2008 Race"], ''Bloomberg'' ([[2007-06-28]]).  According to ''Newsweek'', "The paint is peeling and its U.S. Senate license plates expired back in 2002." Bailey, Holly. [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18754305/site/newsweek "The Sign of the Red Truck"], ''Newsweek'' ([[2007-05-28]]).  Retrieved [[2007-07-10]].</ref>  In a good year for Republican candidates,<ref>Traub, James. [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/12/magazine/312midterm1_.1.html?ex=1299819600&en=99b25ece89477e7b&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss "Party Like It's 1994"], ''New York Times Magazine'' ([[2006-03-12]]): "The Republicans shocked political professionals, including President Bill Clinton, by gaining 52 seats in the House, giving them a majority there for the first time in 40 years. (They picked up eight seats in the Senate to wrest control there as well.)"</ref> Thompson defeated Cooper in a landslide upset victory, overcoming Cooper's early 20 percent margin in the polls to defeat Cooper by an even greater margin.<ref>{{cite news
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|last =Heilemann| first=John |publisher=''[[New York (magazine)|New York Magazine]]''
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|title=The Shadow Candidates |url=http://nymag.com/news/politics/powergrid/30930/ |accessdate=2007-06-18}}</ref>  On the same night Thompson was elected to fill Gore's unexpired term, political newcomer [[Bill Frist]], a Nashville heart surgeon, defeated three-term incumbent Democrat [[Jim Sasser]], the chairman of the [[Senate Budget Committee]], for Tennessee's other U.S. Senate seat, which was up for a full six-year term. The twin victories by Thompson and Frist gave Republicans control of both of Tennessee's Senate seats for the first time since Sasser ousted incumbent [[Bill Brock]] in 1976.
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In 1996, Thompson was re-elected (for the term ending [[January 3]], [[2003]]) with 61 percent of the vote, defeating Democratic attorney Houston Gordon of [[Covington, Tennessee]], even as Bill Clinton narrowly carried the state by less than three percentage points on his way to re-election.<ref>[http://psephos.adam-carr.net/countries/u/usa/pres/1996.txt "United States of America Presidential Elections of 1996, Electoral College Vote by States"], Psephos, Adam Carr's Election Archive.</ref> The GOP continues to hold the seat, as it was won by former Tennessee Governor and [[Secretary of Education]] [[Lamar Alexander]] in [[United States Senate election, 2002|2002]].
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===Senate career===
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[[Image:Troops.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Senator Thompson meeting with U.S. soldiers in [[South Korea]].]]
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While in the Senate, Thompson served as the chairman of the [[U.S. Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs|Committee on Governmental Affairs]] from 1997 to 2001. The committee investigated [[1996 United States campaign finance controversy|alleged Chinese attempts to influence American politics]] prior to the 1996 elections. However, Thompson was "largely stymied" during those investigations, with witnesses declining to testify, claiming the right not to incriminate themselves, or simply leaving the United States' jurisdiction.<ref name=JF070317>{{cite news
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|last =Fund| first=John |publisher=''[[Wall Street Journal]]''
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|title=Lights, Camera ... Candidacy?
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|url=http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110009798
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|date=[[17 March]], [[2007]] |accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref>  Thompson's final report on the matter also pointed to another problem: "Our work was affected tremendously by the fact that Congress is a much more partisan institution than it used to be."<ref>Thompson, Fred. [http://fas.org/irp/congress/1998_rpt/sgo-sir/3-34.htm "Additional Views of Chairman Fred Thompson, Investigation of Illegal or Improper Activities in Connection With 1996 Federal Election Campaigns, Final Report of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, Senate Report 105-167 - 105th Congress 2d Session"] ([[1998-03-10]]).</ref>
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When control of the Senate passed from Republicans to Democrats in 2001, Thompson became the ranking minority member of the Committee on Governmental Affairs.<ref>Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, [http://www.senate.gov/~govt-aff/index.cfm?Fuseaction=About.History History of Committee Chairmen].  Retrieved ([[2007-07-13]]).</ref>  Among his other assignments during his years in the Senate were the Finance Committee (dealing with [[health care]], [[trade]], [[Social Security]], and taxation), the Intelligence Committee, and the National Security Working Group.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20010216204456/thompson.senate.gov/committee.html Sen. Thompson's Official Senate Web Site] (via Archive.org).</ref>
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Thompson's work as a senator included investigation of the [[Umm Hajul controversy]] involving the death of Tennessean Lance Fielder during the [[Gulf War]], support for [[campaign finance reform]], opposing [[proliferation]] of [[weapons of mass destruction]], and promoting government efficiency and accountability.<ref name="Lawrimore" />  One of his more unusual acting roles was serving as a Clinton stand-in, to help prepare [[Bob Dole]] for presidential debates in 1996.<ref name="Lawrimore" />
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[[Image:Girl scouts.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Senator Thompson meeting with [[girl scouts]].]]Thompson has an 86.1 percent lifetime (1995–2002) [[American Conservative Union]] vote rating, compared to 89.3 for [[Bill Frist]] and 82.3 for [[John McCain]].<ref>"[http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20070623/EDITORIAL/106230006/1013 How conservative is Fred Thompson?]", ''Washington Times Editorial'' ([[2007-06-23]]).</ref><ref>[http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=22003 Profile at Project Vote Smart] (including bio, positions, finances, interest group ratings, votes, and statements).</ref>  Senator [[Susan Collins]] (R-[[Maine]]) characterized her colleague this way: "I believe that Fred is a fearless senator. By that I mean he was never afraid to cast a vote or take a stand, regardless of the political consequences."<ref>Theobald, Bill.[http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?&Dato=20070507&Kategori=NEWS0206&Lopenr=107090003&Ref=AR "In D.C., tenacious Thompson defied prediction: Reliable conservative had fierce independent streak"], ''The Tennessean'' ([[2007-07-08]]).</ref>  Thompson was "on the short end of a couple of 99-1 votes,"<ref name="federalism"/> voting against those who wanted to [[federalism|federalize]] matters that he believed were properly left to state and local officials.
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On [[February 12]] [[1999]], the Senate voted on the [[Clinton impeachment]].  The perjury charge was defeated with 45 votes for [[conviction (law)|conviction]], and 55 including Thompson against.  The [[obstruction of justice]] charge was defeated with 50 including Thompson for conviction, and 50 against.  Conviction on [[impeachment]] charges requires the affirmative votes of 67 senators.
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In the 2000 Republican presidential primaries, Thompson initially backed former Tennessee Gov. [[Lamar Alexander]], who eventually succeeded Thompson in the Senate, two years later. When Alexander dropped out of the presidential race, Thompson endorsed Senator [[John McCain]]'s bid and became his national co-chairman.<ref>{{cite news
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|last=Neal |first=Terry M. |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/wh2000/stories/pmcmccain081899.htm
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|title=McCain Re-Emerges; Receives Thompson Endorsement
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|publisher=''[[Washington Post]]'' |date=[[18 August]], [[1999]]}}</ref>  Both McCain and Thompson were contenders to be [[George W. Bush]]'s running mate in 2000.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/e2367.htm "Bush: 'The days of speculation are over'"], ''USA Today'' ([[2000-07-22]]).</ref><ref>Zuckerbrod, Nancy.[http://www.oakridger.com/stories/070300/stt_0703000040.html "Thompson eyed for vice presidential role"], via oakridger.com [[2000-07-03]]). Retrieved [[2007-07-10]].</ref>
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== Post-Senate activities ==
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Thompson was not a candidate for re-election in 2002. He had publicly stated his unwillingness to have the Senate become a long-term career. Although he announced in the wake of the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]] his intention to seek re-election ("Now is not the time for me to leave," said Thompson at the time), upon further reflection he decided against it.<ref name=Hayes070502/> The decision seems to have been prompted in large part by the death of his daughter.<ref name=JF070317/><ref name="TIME070524">{{cite news |url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1624881,00.html
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|title=A New Role for Fred Thompson |authorlink=Mark Halperin |last=Halperin |first=Mark |publisher=''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' |date=[[May 24]], [[2007]]}}</ref>
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===Political work===
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[[Image:Fred_Thompson_visits_Dallas.jpg|right|thumb|Fred Thompson on July 25, 2007 in [[Dallas]].]]In March 2003, Thompson was featured in a commercial by the conservative non-profit group [[Citizens United]] that advocated the [[invasion of Iraq]], stating: "When people ask what has [[Saddam Hussein|Saddam]] done to us, I ask, what had the [[9/11 hijackers]] done to us -- before 9/11."<ref name="cnncitizensunited>{{cite news
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|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0303/01/smn.10.html
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|title=Interview with Mike Boos of Citizens United
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|authorlink=CNN Saturday Morning News
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|publisher=''[[CNN]]'' |date=[[March 1]], [[2003]]}}</ref> [[Political positions of Fred Thompson#Iraq|He has remained supportive of that invasion]].
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Thompson did voice-over work at the [[2004 Republican National Convention]].<ref>Goldsmith, Brian.  [http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/04/20/couricandco/entry2709713.shtml "Beware The 'Convention Candidates'"], CBS News ([[2007-04-20]]).</ref> While narrating a video for that convention, Thompson observed: "History throws you what it throws you, and you never know what’s coming."<ref>Thompson, Fred. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfniUThXI50 "The Pitch"], via YouTube.  Retrieved ([[2007-07-13]]).</ref>
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After the retirement of [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] [[Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States|Associate Justice]] [[Sandra Day O'Connor]] in 2005, Bush appointed him to an informal position to help guide the nomination of [[John Roberts]] through the [[United States Senate]] confirmation process.<ref>{{cite news
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|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/08/AR2005090801691.html |title=Hill Veterans Light the Way for Nominee |first=Christopher |last=Lee |publisher=''[[Washington Post]]'' |date=[[September 9]], [[2005]] |accessdate=2007-07-19}}</ref> Roberts was subsequently confirmed as [[Chief Justice of the United States|Chief Justice]].
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Until [[July 2007]], Thompson was Chair of the International Security Advisory Board, a bipartisan advisory panel that reports to the [[Secretary of State]] and focuses on emerging strategic threats.<ref>[http://www.state.gov/t/isn/isab/c23421.htm International Security Advisory Board, Former Members], State Department web site.</ref>  In that capacity, he advised the [[State Department]] about all aspects of [[arms control]], disarmament, international security, and related aspects of public [[diplomacy]].<ref>[http://www.state.gov/t/isn/isab/ International Security Advisory Board], State Department web site.</ref>
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===Legal defense for Lewis Libby===
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{{main|Lewis Libby}}
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In 2006, he served on the advisory board of the legal defense fund for [[Lewis Libby|I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Jr]], who was [[indictment|indicted]] and later convicted of lying to federal investigators during their investigation of the [[Plame affair]].<ref>
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{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/09/washington/09notebook.html |title=Media Censors for the Jury Let a Style Item Get Through |first=Scott |last=Shane |publisher=''[[The New York Times]]'' |date=[[February 9]], [[2007]]}}
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</ref><ref>
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{{cite news
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|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/02/09/libby.grand.jury/index.html |title=Libby trial provides a rare look inside the grand jury |first=Kevin |last=Bohn |publisher=''[[CNN]]'' |date=[[February 9]], [[2007]]}}
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</ref>
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Thompson, who had never met Libby before volunteering for the advisory board, said he was convinced Libby was innocent.<ref name=Hayes070502/>
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The Scooter Libby Legal Defense Fund Trust set out to raise more than $5 million to help finance the legal defense of Vice President [[Dick Cheney]]'s former chief of staff.<ref>
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Loller, Travis.  [http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3313886 "Looking at Thompson's Lobbying Past"], ''[[ABC News]]'' ([[2007-06-25]]).
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</ref>
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Thompson hosted a fundraiser for the Libby defense fund at his home in McLean, Virginia.<ref>
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Copeland, Libby and Montgomery, David. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/03/AR2007070300012.html "Scooter Libby's Pals, Trusting In Providence"], ''[[Washington Post]]'' ([[2007-07-03]]).
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</ref>
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After Bush commuted Libby's sentence,<ref>[[George W. Bush]], [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/07/20070702-3.html "Statement by the President"], ''[[The White House]]'', [[2 July]], [[2007]], accessed [[2 July]], [[2007]].</ref> Thompson released a statement: "I am very happy for Scooter Libby. I know that this is a great relief to him, his wife and children. This will allow a good American, who has done a lot for his country, to resume his life."<ref>{{cite news
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|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,287790,00.html |title=Political Leaders Express Outrage, Support for 'Scooter' Libby's Commuted Sentence  |first= |last= |publisher=''[[Fox News]]'' |date=[[July 03]], 2007]]}}
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</ref>
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===Radio analyst===
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In 2006, he signed on with [[ABC News Radio]] to serve as senior analyst and vacation replacement for [[Paul Harvey]].<ref>Miller, Korin.  [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/24/AR2006022401919_2.html Names and Faces], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ([[2006-02-25]]).</ref>  He used that platform to spell out his positions on a number of political issues. A [[July 3]], [[2007]] update to Thompson's ABC News Radio home page referred to him as a "former ABC News Radio contributor," indicating that Thompson has been released from his contract with the broadcaster.<ref>[http://abcradionetworks.com/Blog.asp?id=15663 The Fred Thompson Report], [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Radio Networks.</ref>
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==Controversy==
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{{main|Fred Thompson controversies}}
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Fred Thompson has seen some controversy, most notably allegations about [[Fred Thompson controversies#Lobbyist for abortion group|pro-choice lobbying]], allegations about [[Fred_Thompson_controversies#Political action committee payments to son|using his political action committee]] to benefit his son, and allegations about [[Fred Thompson controversies#Watergate tapes|his role during Watergate]].
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==Political positions==
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{{Main|Political positions of Fred Thompson}}
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[[Image:IowaStateFair17Aug2007.jpg|left|200px|thumb|At [[Iowa State Fair]] August 17, 2007.]]
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Thompson has said that federalism is his "[[lodestar]]," providing "a basis for a proper analysis of most issues: 'Is this something government should be doing? If so, at what level of government?'"<ref name="federalism">Thompson, Fred. [http://www.aei.org/publications/pubID.26016,filter.all/pub_detail.asp "Federalism 'n' Me"], [[American Enterprise Institute|AEI]] ([[2007-04-23]]). Retrieved [[2007-05-13]].</ref>
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Thompson supports [[free trade]] and [[tax cut|low taxes]].<ref name="Lincoln Day">Thompson, Fred. [http://abcradionetworks.com/article.asp?id=402282&SPID=15663 "Prepared Remarks for Speech to Lincoln Club Annual Dinner"], [[ABC Radio]], May 4, 2007. Accessed May 13, 2007.</ref><ref>Thompson, Fred. [http://abcradionetworks.com/article.asp?id=386748&SPID=15663 "Case Closed: Tax Cuts Mean Growth"], [[ABC Radio]], April 14, 2007. Accessed May 13, 2007.</ref>
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He says that ''[[Roe v. Wade]]'' was a wrong decision that ought to be overturned, and that he is pro-life,<ref>{{cite news
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  | title = Transcript: Former Sen. Fred Thompson on 'FOX News Sunday'
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  | url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,258222,00.html
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  | date = 2007-03-11
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  | accessdate = 2007-06-17 }}</ref> but he also has said that states should decide not to criminalize young women for early term [[abortion in the United States|abortions]].<ref name="hannity">[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,278554,00.html "Exclusive! Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson on Possible White House Bid"], ''Fox News Interview'' ([[2007-06-05]]).</ref><ref>Bailey, Holly. "[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19263100/site/newsweek/page/0/ Away From the Cameras]," ''Newsweek'' ([[2007-06-25]]).</ref>
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On [[August 17]], [[2007]], Thompson said that if elected president, he would work to overturn ''Roe vs. Wade''. He also said he does not support a [[constitutional amendment]] to ban [[gay marriage]], but that if necessary he would support one preserving each state's right to decide the matter for itself.<ref>{{cite web | publisher =CNN | title=Thompson: Roe bad law and bad medicine | url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/08/17/thompson-on-running-we%e2%80%99ll-be-in/ |date=[[August 17]], [[2007]] | accessdate=2007-08-13 }}<br />{{cite web |publisher=The Corner |title=Nix That |date=[[August 17]], [[2007]] |accessdate=2007-08-20 |url=http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NTY1MTQ1NWM3ZWQ5MTIxYjk3ZTIzNGJlZTI3YTBhZDA= }}</ref>
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Thompson has voiced skepticism that [[humanity]] is to blame for [[global warming]].<ref>Thompson, Fred. [http://www.aei.org/publications/filter.all,pubID.25833/pub_detail.asp "Plutonic Warming"], [[American Enterprise Institute|AEI]], March 22, 2007. Accessed May 13, 2007.</ref>  He says citizens are entitled to [[Second Amendment to the United States Constitution|keep and bear arms]] if they do not have criminal records.<ref name=ArmedWithTruth>Thompson, Fred. [http://abcradionetworks.com/article.asp?id=405250&SPID=15663 "Armed with the Truth"], [[ABC Radio]], May 10, 2007. Accessed May 13, 2007.</ref>  Thompson's support of the [[McCain-Feingold]] campaign finance legislation brought criticism from groups such as [[Gun Owners of America]] (GOA), who said that the legislation limited their ability to inform the public about the gun rights voting records of incumbent politicians.<ref name=GOA>Fields, Craig. [http://gunowners.org/pres08/thompson2.htm "Presidential Candidates And The Second Amendment: Fred Thompson"], Gun Owners of America (GOA). Accessed June 10, 2007.</ref>  Thompson now says that the limitation on political speech within 30 or 60 days of an election was wrong and should be repealed.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,278554,00.html Sean Hannity interview of Fred Thompson], Fox News, June 6, 2007. Accessed June 9, 2007.</ref> Thompson says U.S. borders need to be secured before considering comprehensive [[Illegal immigration to the United States|immigration]] reform,<ref name="Lincoln Day"/> and federal law must be enforced in sanctuary cities which currently ban cooperation between local officials and federal immigration officials.<ref>Thomspon, Fred. [http://www.townhall.com/columnists/FredThompson/2007/08/14/sanctuary_cities "Sanctuary Cities"], ''Townhall.com'' ([[2007-08-14]]).</ref>
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Thompson supported the U.S. invasion of [[Iraq]], but he has said that "mistakes have been made" since then.<ref name= FNS311>{{cite web
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  | title = Former Sen. Fred Thompson on 'FOX News Sunday'
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  | date = 2007-03-11
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  | url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,258222,00.html
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  | accessdate =  2007-07-02 }}</ref>
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He is opposed to withdrawal from Iraq.<ref name=>{{cite web
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  | title = Thompson: U.S. must rebuild military
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  | date = 2007-08-21
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  | url = http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070821/ap_po/candidates_iraq
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  | accessdate =  2007-07-02 }}</ref>
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He has also said that statements made by [[Iran|Iranian]] President [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] should not be dismissed.<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>
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==2008 presidential election campaign==
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{{Future election candidate|Thompson, Fred}}
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{{main|Fred Thompson presidential campaign, 2008}}
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[[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> 
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On May 15, Thompson published a video in which he declined to debate [[Michael Moore]] about [[Cuba]].
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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.
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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>  On [[August 8]], [[2007]], [[Bill Lacy]] was named manager of Thompson's "testing the waters committee". Lacy had worked in the campaigns of Presidents Reagan and Bush, as well as Senator [[Bob Dole]], and had worked on Thompson's 1994 campaign.
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==Personal life==
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[[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/> 
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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/>
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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/>
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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
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|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,265271,00.html
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|title=Former Senator Fred Thompson in Remission for Lymphoma
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|publisher=''[[Fox News]]''
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|date=[[April 11]] [[2007]]}}</ref>
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Like many patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Thompson received treatment with [[Rituxan]].<ref>{{cite web
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|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-apthompson11apr11,1,1455880.story
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|title=Fred Thompson discloses past cancer diagnosis
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|author=[[Associated Press]] |publisher=''[[L.A. Times]]''
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|date=[[May 15]], [[2007]]}}</ref>
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Thompson's cancer, though currently incurable, is reportedly indolent, the lowest of three grades of NHL.<ref name=FN070411/>  Thompson has nodal marginal zone lymphoma, a rare form of NHL, accounting for only one to three percent of all NHLs.<ref>Bloom, Mark. "[http://www.medpagetoday.com/HematologyOncology/LeukemiaLymphoma/tb/5424 Fred Thompson, GOP Potential Candidate, Had Rare NHL]," ''MedPage Today'' ([[2007-04-11]]).</ref>  Coincidentally, two other potential Republican presidential nominees have also had cancer: [[John McCain]] and [[Rudy Giuliani]].
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Thompson is a member of the [[Churches of Christ]], a non-denominational group of [[Christian]] churches affiliated with the [[Barton W. Stone|Stone]]-[[Alexander Campbell (Restoration movement)|Campbell]]  [[Restoration Movement]].<ref>Useem, Andrea.  [http://www.religionwriter.com/?p=74 "Fred Thompson's Faith: Churches of Christ 101"], ''Religion Writer.com'' ([[2007-06-14]]).  Retrieved [[2007-06-15]].  At least two previous presidents were associated with the Restoration Movement religions, including [[James Garfield]] and [[Lyndon B. Johnson]].  After Garfield's time, the Restoration movement split; Johnson belonged to the [[Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)|Disciples of Christ]], which is another branch of the movement. Ronald Reagan was raised as a member of Disciples of Christ, but later attended [[Presbyterian]] services.  See [http://www.reaganfoundation.org/programs/lc/reagan_facts.asp Ronald Reagan Facts], Ronald Reagan Foundation.</ref>
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==Filmography==
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===Movies===
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{{Col-begin}}
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{{Col-1-of-3}}
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* ''[[Marie (film)|Marie]]'' (1985)
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* ''[[No Way Out (1987 film)|No Way Out]]'' (1987)
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* ''[[Feds]]'' (1988)
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* ''[[Fat Man and Little Boy]]'' (1989)
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* ''[[The Hunt for Red October (film)|The Hunt for Red October]]'' (1990)
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* ''[[Days of Thunder]]'' (1990)
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* ''[[Die Hard 2|Die Hard 2: Die Harder]]'' (1990)
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* ''[[Flight of the Intruder]]'' (1991) (uncredited)
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* ''[[Class Action (1991 film)|Class Action]]'' (1991)
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* ''[[Necessary Roughness (film)|Necessary Roughness]]'' (1991)
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* ''[[Curly Sue]]'' (1991)
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* ''[[Cape Fear (1991 film)|Cape Fear]]'' (1991)
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{{Col-2-of-3}}
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* ''[[Aces: Iron Eagle III]]'' (1992)
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* ''[[Thunderheart]]'' (1992)
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* ''[[White Sands (film)|White Sands]]'' (1992) (uncredited)
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* ''[[Born Yesterday (1993 film)|Born Yesterday]]'' (1993)
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* ''[[In the Line of Fire]]'' (1993)
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* ''[[Barbarians at the Gate (film)|Barbarians at the Gate]]'' (1993)
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* ''[[Baby's Day Out]]'' (1994)
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* ''[[Celsius 41.11: The Temperature at Which the Brain... Begins to Die|Celsius 41.11]]'' (2004)
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* ''[[Racing Stripes]]'' (2005, voice)
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* ''[[Last Best Chance]]'' (2005)
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* ''[[Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World]]'' (2005)
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* ''[[Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (film)|Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee]]'' (2007)
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{{Col-3-of-3}}
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{{Col-end}}
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===TV series===
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* ''[[Law & Order]]'' (2002–2007)
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* ''[[Law & Order: Trial by Jury]]'' (2005–2006)
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* ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]'' (11 episodes, 2003–2006)
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* ''[[Law & Order: Criminal Intent]]'' (2 episodes, 2005)
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* ''[[Conviction (TV series)|Conviction]]'' (1 episode, 2006)
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* ''[[Sex and the City]]'' (1 episode, 2000, as "Politician on TV")
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* ''[[Matlock (TV series)|Matlock]]'' (1 episode in 1989 as "Gordon Lewis" and 1 episode in 1993 as "Prosecutor Mr. McGonigal")
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* ''[[Roseanne (TV series)|Roseanne]]'' (1 episode, 1989, as "Keith Faber")
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* ''[[China Beach]]'' (1 episode, 1989, as "Lt. Col. Reinhardt")
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* ''[[Wiseguy]]'' (3 episodes, 1988, as "Knox Pooley")
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</textarea>
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</embed>
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== technorati tags ==
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<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/fred+thompson" rel="tag" class="techtag">fred+thompson</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/fred+thompson+bio" rel="tag" class="techtag">fred+thompson+bio</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/fred+dalton+thompson+bio" rel="tag" class="techtag">fred+dalton+thompson+bio</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/senator+fred+thompson" rel="tag" class="techtag">senator+fred+thompson</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/fred+thompson+biography" rel="tag" class="techtag">fred+thompson+biography</a>
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</embed>
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