By RICHARD POWELSON
Friday, March 09, 2007
Former Senate Republican leader Howard Baker said Friday he is urging his friend Fred Thompson, a TV actor and former U.S. senator, to run for president and is encouraging others to draft him.
Baker, in a telephone interview, said: "I'm planting the seed that he might run or might be convinced to run."
Baker also was White House chief of staff to President Ronald Reagan and most recently served as U.S. ambassador to Japan.
Thompson, 64, an actor on the NBC drama "Law & Order," was a Republican senator from Tennessee for eight years through 2002. Before winning his Senate seat, he had supporting roles in about 20 big-screen movies, including "The Hunt for Red October" and "Die Hard 2."
At the recent national convention of the American Conservative Union, Thompson was not ranked in the top five in a straw poll about who participants thought would be the GOP nominee for president. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney came in first, followed by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., placed fifth.
However, late in the convention there was "a lot of buzz" about rumors of Thompson running, said Bill Lauderback, ACU executive vice president.
"He was a popular senator. He is a television star, well-known, well-liked, and I think he would add a lot to the race if he gets in it. He has a commanding presence. It's still very much a wide open field" of GOP contenders, Lauderback said.
Baker said he has talked to Thompson about running for president. "He doesn't confirm that he's interested and he also doesn't tell me to stop," Baker said.
Thompson could not be reached for comment. Fox News has announced he will answer questions on its Sunday program with Chris Wallace.
Baker and Thompson have long been friends and both got national attention when Baker in 1973, as a senator, named Thompson as Republican counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee exploring the Nixon administration's connections to the Watergate burglary and its cover-up.
Thompson also helped Baker in his 1980 presidential campaign when Reagan won the GOP nomination and the presidency.
Among potential complications in a Thompson race is that he is good friends with McCain, a current presidential candidate. Thompson endorsed McCain for president in his 2000 bid.
Also, Thompson has two small children in his second marriage.
Baker said his wife, former Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker, R-Kan., already supports McCain for president and Baker said he too might back McCain if Thompson does not run.
Baker said he has not talked to any big money people about helping Thompson. "I'm just sending up some trial balloons so we'll see how that works."
Fred Thompson for President of the United States
I cannot think of a better level headed man than this to run. He surely can win if he does and is certainly qualified. He is one of the best the country could have that I believe would help unite the country again.
Fred Thompson supports 2nd Amendment rights
None of the currently announced presidential candidates in either party support our 2nd amendment freedom to own firearms. Fred Thompson does and will get my vote if he runs.
Illegal Immigration
If Fred Thompson supports enforcing illegal immigration laws and intends to support closing the border until this mess is straightened out, I will absolutely support him.
illegal immigration
I would love to have a candidate that would start standing up for the American people and start enforcing the immigration laws that all other candidates seem to ignore. To me the major issue should be the invasion of our homeland by these illegals! I'm hoping this is Fred Thompson's view. He would take the election by a landslide!
California is invaded!
I would also support Thompson 100% if part of his platform is for strong enforcement of existing immigration laws. Bush thinks we're idiots, that we don't know about the already existing "guest worker programs", and he's pushing for more, and for amnesty for the millions who are already here. Living in southern California I can attest to the fact that this state has been invaded by Mexico, and there's very few "leaders" here who will stick their necks out and speak up for the citizens. Most of the "leaders" are too busy kissing Mexico's butt, just like Bush does.
Thompson is a Presidential Winner
Fred thompson has been my choice for President for the past year. In recommending him to Republican leaders in California, I've suggested that if he picks Condelezza Rice as VP, the ticket is unbeatable!
Condoleeza Rice=Bush puppet
Condoleeza Rice=Bush puppet. Americans have had too much of the Bush
and Clinton crime families and their cronies who have almost damaged America beyond repair. I like Thompson, and I like Duncan Hunter, but Thompson might be very electable.
Fred Thompson
My gold standard for choosing any candidate for whom I vote is their position on abortion. If they are in favor of abortion, I mark them off the list. If they oppose abortion I look further into their beliefs. If Fred Thompson is opposed to abortion, I believe the remainder of his positions will be in line with those of the founding fathers, who required first protection of the people, then freedom for all. Based on early reports of Fred's positions, I would have no problem backing and promoting this candidate. Our USA needs powerful men to lead so that the world continues to respect and even envy this wonderful, blessed land.
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