Fred Thompson HQ

Fred Thompson defends lobbying record

NASHVILLE, Tenn. --Fred Thompson, a likely Republican presidential candidate, on Tuesday defended his work as a Washington lobbyist, telling The Associated Press that lobbying is an important part of life because "government's got their hands in everything."

The actor and former U.S. senator from Tennessee added, "Nobody yet has pointed out any of my clients that didn't deserve representation."

Thompson, who likes to cast himself as a political outsider, earned more than $1 million lobbying the federal government for more than 20 years. He lobbied for a savings-and-loan deregulation bill that helped hasten the industry's collapse and a failed nuclear energy project that cost taxpayers more than a billion dollars...

From Boston.com -6/26/07 Full Article HERE

As Fred Thompson's Entry Nears, Romney Taps Into His Own Wealth

(CBS) Is Fred Thompson Mitt Romney's worst nightmare?

That might be the case based on Romney's decision, announced Monday, to funnel some of his vast wealth into his already well-funded presidential campaign. Romney spent $2.5 million of his own cash to launch his bid, but since then has proven to be a prodigious fundraiser — in the first quarter of this year, he raised $23 million and is expected to again lead the Republican pack in the second quarter, which ends Saturday.

"One of the things I've had to do that you don't have to do if your name is McCain or Giuliani is introduce myself," Romney said at a news conference attended by The Boston Globe. "It would be nice not to have to loan or contribute to your own campaign, but the reality is if you want to have a strong campaign that gets out there and can talk across the nation, you're going to have to do what's necessary."

From CBS.com June 26, 2007 - Full Article HERE

Rudy: Pay no attention to the polls

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. -- In a pitch to conservatives here, Republican presidential contender Rudy Giuliani downplayed the importance of opinion polls and stressed his own leadership skills and his commitment to principles and the U.S. fight against terrorism.

Hailing Ronald Reagan as the best presidential model in the past 40 years, Giuliani noted that Reagan put accomplishing his two principles -- defeating communism and shrinking government -- ahead of popularity in the polls.

"Ronald Reagan just wasn't focused on public opinion polls," said Giuliani, whose own standing in the polls has been dropping as he has faced his most difficult week of his campaign...

From Newsday.com - FULL ARTICLE HERE

Fred versus Al Gore?

From: "Fred versus Al Gore?", Murfreesboro Post.

Sure, it’s a long shot, but it’s worth pondering: A Thompson-Gore race for president next year.

Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson is just weeks away from officially jumping into the Republican race for that party’s banner next year to see who will succeed George W. Bush.

While Thompson remains officially in one of the prepatory stages to announcing his candidacy, have no doubt that he is running.

The long he remains a could-be candidate, the more media attention and political discussion he generates.

Thompson didn’t give up his lucrative and no doubt enjoyable popular television show gig to just consider running for president.

Full Article HERE

Fred Thompson drops by home state to greet backers, raise money

"Fred Thompson drops by home state to greet backers, raise money" from Jacksonville.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - More than 100 supporters gathered at the Nashville airport on Tuesday to greet probable presidential candidate Fred Thompson.

Thompson told the crowd he's "testing the waters" about a run.

"But the waters feel pretty warm to me," he said.

Thompson shook hands and signed autographs for supporters, but declined to speak from the bed of a red pickup truck they had parked nearby.

A similar red truck was a focal point of Thompson's successful 1994 campaign for U.S. Senate to fill the unexpired Senate term of Vice President Al Gore.

FULL ARTICLE

Rasmussen Reports: National Poll: Thompson 27% Giuliani 23%

The biggest question in the race for the Republican Presidential nomination is whether or not former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson can sustain his warm-up act once he becomes an actual candidate. The actor once did what many politicians could never imagine by walking away from a career in the Senate. Now he is on the verge of doing what few politicians can even dream of by entering a race for the White House on top of the polls for his party’s nomination.

See the POLL and full Article HERE

The New Republic: Can Fred Thompson Win in 2008?

by Jonathan Chait & Jason Zengerle
Only at TNR Online | Post date 06.26.07

Editor's Note: This is the second installment in a four-part debate between TNR senior editors Jason Zengerle and Jonathan Chait about whether Fred Thompson has what it takes to be elected president in the 2008. If and when Thomspon enters the race, will he steamroll the competition or fail to live up to the hype? Read Part 1.

Dear Jason,

I think Fred Thompson has a very strong chance to become the GOP nominee, and every time I see somebody argue against that proposition, it just seems to make me think it even more. Let's start with his trip to London. I thought it was a brilliant move myself. Thompson is looking for ways to hint to the conservative base that he's one of them without harming his general election viability. The Thatcher trip was...

Read the full article HERE

Tennessean.com: Office puts Fred Thompson step closer to running

By ANNE PAINE
Staff Writer

Republican Fred Thompson will be inching closer to a possible run for the presidency when he opens a "testing the waters" office today in the historic Fall School Building on Eighth Avenue, a source close to his potential campaign said Monday.

That's one rung below a formal "exploratory" committee phase — which is just behind a full-blown campaign announcement.

Workers were trimming hedges, sweeping and otherwise sprucing up Monday around the historic Fall School Building at 1130 8th Ave. S., where U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander — himself a former presidential contender — has an office.

Read full story HERE