Thread: Does America want another Ronald Reagan?

Does America want another Ronald Reagan?



Actor Fred Thompson, best known as District Attorney Arthur Branch in the television serial Law & Order, suddenly looks like the presidential candidate the Republicans have been waiting for.

There is something about politics and greasepaint that works for Americans. Euros cry 'fake', but Americans saw only charm and authenticity in Ronald Reagan.

Now a statement that he might run for the White House has Thompson - who portrayed gruff authority figures in The Hunt for Red October, No Way Out and Die Hard 2 - barging into the Republican ratings at number three in the latest Gallup poll with 12 per cent. Significantly, he takes the first bite out of front-runner Rudy Giuliani, down a whopping 13 per cent to 31. Senator John McCain, in second place, sinks to 22. Mitt Romney is shoved down to 'margin of error' status at three per cent.

Actor Fred Thompson is eyeing the White House, and he could be perfect, says charles laurence
Thompson, 64, is an upside-down Reagan: he was into law and politics before he started acting in 1985 as an easy way to earn a living.

After running a senator's election campaign, he was rewarded with a job as a lawyer on the Senate Watergate Committee, where he came up with the fabled question: "What did the President know and when did he know it?"

In 1994, he took over Al Gore's old Tennessee Senate seat, quitting voluntarily in 2002.

With his broad shoulders and jutting square jaw, he looks like the kind of guy to bring law and order to a dangerous world. But America beware: Thompson is the son of a second-hand car salesman from Alabama, and he is attached to the American Enterprise Institute, nest of neo-cons behind Dubya Bush's policies at home and abroad.

FIRST POSTED MARCH 29, 2007



http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/index.php ... subID=1591

Thompson is no Ronald Reagan. Reagan was an actor back when there was still some genuine conservatism and patriotism in Hollywood. Today it is a hotbed of Leftism and anti-Americanism. Reagan was a Conservative in the mold of Barry Goldwater. Thompson is a neoconservative CFR/internationalist.

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THOMPSON, Fred Dalton, (1942 - )

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Senate Years of Service: 1994-2003
Party: Republican


THOMPSON, Fred Dalton, a Senator from Tennessee; born in Sheffield, Ala., on August 19, 1942; attended the public schools in Lawrenceburg, Tenn.; graduated from Memphis State University 1964; received J.D. degree from Vanderbilt University 1967; admitted to the Tennessee bar in 1967 and commenced the practice of law; assistant U.S. attorney 1969-1972; minority counsel, Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities (“Watergate Committee”) 1973-1974; special counsel to Tennessee Governor Lamar Alexander 1980; special counsel, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations 1980-1981; special counsel, Senate Intelligence Committee 1982; member, Tennessee Appellate Court Nominating Commission 1985-1987; actor; elected as a Republican to the United States Senate in the November 8, 1994, special election to fill the unexpired portion of the term ending January 3, 1997, left vacant by the resignation of Albert Gore, Jr.; took the oath of office on December 2, 1994; reelected in 1996 for the term ending January 3, 2003; not a candidate for reelection in 2002; chair, Committee on Governmental Affairs (One Hundred Fifth and One Hundred Sixth Congresses; One Hundred Seventh Congress [January 20, 2001-June 6, 2001]); resumed acting career


lobbyist, and actor

Thompson was admitted to the Tennessee bar in 1967 and commenced the practice of law, serving as an assistant U.S. attorney from 1969–1972. He was the campaign manager for Senator Howard Baker's successful re-election campaign in 1972, which led to a close personal friendship with Baker, and he served as co-chief counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee in its investigation of the Watergate scandal, (1973–1974). He was responsible for Baker's asking one of the questions that is said to have led directly to the downfall of President Richard Nixon—"What did the President know, and when did he know it?" Also, Thompson's voice has become immortalized in recordings of the Watergate proceedings, asking the key question, "Mr. Butterfield, are you aware of the installation of any listening devices in the Oval Office of the President?"

In 1975, Thompson began his eighteen year engagement as a lobbyist in Washington, D.C., eventually representing clients including Westinghouse, General Electric (the current corporate owner of the NBC Universal-NBC television network), and the Tennessee Savings and Loan League.

In 1977, Thompson took on a Tennessee Parole Board case that ultimately toppled Tennessee Governor Ray Blanton from power on charges of selling pardons.

By 1982, Thompson worked the U.S. Congress membership as a lobbyist for passage of the Savings and Loan deregulation legislation desired by the Tennessee Savings and Loan League --- in this case, federal deregulation legislation allowing for additional government support of ailing S&Ls; giving U.S. thrifts the freedom to invest in potentially more profitable, but riskier, ventures; and eliminating interest-rate ceilings on new accounts to increase S&Ls' competitiveness. Enacted into law during in September 1982, the Senate bill pushed by Thompson was incorporated into the Garn - St Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982. The Garn - St Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982 is widely credited with having laid the groundwork for the U.S. Savings and Loan crisis of the late 1980s.

The Reagan "elimination of loopholes" in the tax code included the elimination of the "passive loss" provisions that subsidized rental housing. Because this was removed retroactively, it bankrupted many real estate developments made with this tax break as a premise. This with some other "deregulation" policies ultimately led to the largest political and financial scandal in U.S. history: the Savings and Loan crisis. The ultimate cost of the crisis is estimated to have totaled around USD$150 billion, about $125 billion of which was consequently and directly subsidized by the U.S. government, which contributed to the large budget deficits of the early 1990s.

An indication of this scandal's size, Martin Mayer wrote, "The theft from the taxpayer by the community that fattened on the growth of the savings and loan (S&L) industry in the 1980's is the worst public scandal in American history. Teapot Dome in the Harding administration and the Credit Mobilier in the times of Ulysses S. Grant have been taken as the ultimate horror stories of capitalist democracy gone to seed. Measuring by money, by the misallocation of national resources...the S&L outrage makes Teapot Dome and Credit Mobilier seem minor episodes."

John Kenneth Galbraith called it "the largest and costliest venture in public misfeasance, malfeasance and larceny of all time."

The Ray Blanton-Tennessee Parole Board scandal later became the subject of a book and a movie titled Marie (1985) in which Thompson played himself, supposedly because the producers were unable to find a professional actor who could play him plausibly. While his film role in Marie launched his acting career, Thompson was divorced from his first wife of twenty-five years, Sarah Elizabeth Lindsey, during this same year. Thompson would go on to appear as racist demagogue "Dr. Knox Pooley" in a story arc of the TV series Wiseguy (198. He has also been in numerous feature films, including No Way Out (1987), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Cape Fear (1991), and In the Line of Fire (1993). A 1994 New York Times profile described his roles as ones that portray authority: "The glowering, hulking Mr. Thompson has played a White House chief of staff, a director of the Central Intelligence Agency, a highly placed F.B.I. agent, a rear admiral, even a senator. When Hollywood directors need someone who can personify governmental power, they often turn to him."

In 1991, Thompson began working with the Washington, D.C. firm Arent Fox Kitner Plotkin & Kahn as a registered foreign agent representing overseas business entities.


United States Senator
On November 8, 1994, Thompson was elected to the United States Senate to fill the unexpired portion of the term ending January 3, 1997, left vacant by the resignation of Al Gore, defeating six-term Democratic U.S. Representative Jim Cooper in a 61% to 39% landslide which represented the most votes anyone had ever received for a statewide office in Tennessee history up to that point. Thompson took the oath of office on December 2, 1994. Almost immediately upon his arrival in Washington, D.C. ("while I was still unpacking my boxes," as he put it), Thompson was selected by the Republicans to give a reply to a nationally-televised address by President Bill Clinton. This was no doubt due to his acting background, but many pundits saw this as an attempt to groom him for an even larger political role.

As a U.S. Senator, Thompson gained considerly more media attention for his active D.C. social night life with much younger girlfriends, including his two year relationship (1994-1996) with county music recording artist Lorrie Morgan. In her book Forever Yours, Faithfully: My Love Story, Morgan states that "For a while, I wanted to marry Fred, but I knew that he could not accept me as I am."

During his 1995 campaign for the U.S. Senate, Thompson and his staffers again sold Tennesseans on the carefully crafted and retreaded Thompson "good ole boy" persona involving Senator Thompson crossing the state in his red pickup truck (revealed later to be first leased by Thompson for the 1994 campaign tour) to all of his Tennessee campaign stops, however Michele Cottle of the Washington Monthly revealed an eyewitness account of Thompson being driven away from a political rally in Knoxville, Tennessee by a campaign staffer, and each to be sighted minutes later with the campaign staffer left behind with the Thompson campaign truck, and Senator Thompson driving away "... behind the wheel of a sweet silver luxury sedan."

Thompson was easily re-elected in 1996 for the term ending January 3, 2003 over Democratic attorney Houston Gordon of Covington, Tennessee by an even larger margin than that by which he had defeated Cooper two years earlier. His name was regularly mentioned in the year 2000 as a potential candidate for Vice President alongside the Republican Presidential nominee George W. Bush.

During 1997, Thompson was "...largely stymied" during his 1997 U.S. Senate investigations of both Clinton-Gore and GOP campaign fund-raising activites, more particularly with witnesses for the Thompson investigations either declining to testify or simply leaving the United States jurisdiction.

In the 2000 Republican presidential primaries, Thompson initially backed former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander. When Alexander dropped out of the race, Thompson endorsed Senator John McCain's bid and became his national co-chairman. While in the Senate, he was chair of the Committee on Governmental Affairs from 1997 to January 3, 2001 which conducted investigations into allegations China attempted to influence American politics prior to the 1996 elections (See: campaign finance scandal) and January 20, 2001 to June 6, 2001, when the reorganization of the Senate prompted by the resignation of James Jeffords of Vermont from the Republican Party changed the control of the Senate. Thompson then became the ranking minority member.


U.S. Senate Votes By Fred Thompson
Important Votes by Thompson

"yes" on allowing more H-2A visas for foreign agriculturial workers
"yes" on H1-B and H1-Cvisas for skilled foreign workers
"yes" on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade agreements authority
"yes" on permanent normal trade relations with Communist China
"yes" on expanding trade to the third world
"yes" on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam
"yes" on extending free trade to Andean nations
"no" on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates
"yes" on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts
"no" on more penalties for gun & drug violations
"no" on $1.15 billion per year to continue the Community Oriented Policing Services program
"no" on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation
"yes" on killing restrictions on violent videos to minors
"no" on removing common goods from national security export rules
"yes" on reducing funds for road-building in U.S. National Forests
"yes" on defunding renewable and solar energy
"no" on ending discussion of Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards
"yes" on preserving budget for Arctic National Wildlife Refuge oil drilling
"yes" on confirming Gale Norton as United States Secretary of the Interior
"yes" on terminating Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards within 15 months

After the Senate
Fred Dalton Thompson

Born August 19, 1942 (age 64)
Sheffield, Alabama
Other name(s) Fred Thompson
Notable roles Arthur Branch in Law & Order
Thompson was not a candidate for re-election in 2002. He had never planned to make a lifetime career of the Senate, and had often publicly stated as much. Although he announced in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks his intention to seek re-election, upon further reflection, which seems to have been prompted in large part by the sudden death of his daughter (Elizabeth "Betsy" Thompson Panici) on January 30, 2002 from accidental drug overdose[14][17], he decided not to pursue this course. In the final months of his term, he joined the cast of the long-running NBC television series Law & Order, playing Arthur Branch. In doing so, he became the first serving U.S. Senator concurrently to hold a full-time television acting job; however, his first scenes as Branch were filmed during the Senate's August 2002 recess, so he missed no legislative time in order to act on television. In the spring of 2005 Thompson concurrently played the role on both the original series and short-lived sister series Law & Order: Trial by Jury. Thompson has also made occasional appearances on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and appeared in the pilot episode of Conviction. He is one of very few actors who plays the same regular character on two different series simultaneously.

Thompson did voice-over work at the 2004 Republican National Convention. After the retirement of Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor in 2005, he was given an informal position by President George W. Bush to help guide the nominated John Roberts to the confirmation through the United States Senate. He also is the chair of the International Security Advisory Board, a bipartisan advisory panel that reports to the Secretary of State and focuses on emerging strategic threats. In 2006, Thompson signed on with ABC News Radio to serve as a host, commentator, and fill-in for Paul Harvey.[18]

On June 29, 2002, Thompson married Jeri Kehn (born January, 1967,) an attorney and a political media consultant at the Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, and McPherson law firm in Washington, D.C. She once worked for the Senate Republican Conference and the Republican National Committee. In October 2003, they had a daughter, Hayden Victoria Thompson, and another child during November 2006[14]. He also has three grown children from a previous marriage, one of whom is deceased (Elizabeth "Betsy" Thompson Panici)[17], and five grandchildren.

There was speculation that Thompson would run for Governor of Tennessee in 2006, but he declined to run against the popular Governor Phil Bredesen.

Self-described friend of I. Lewis ("Scooter") Libby, Jr, Thomson lent moral and financial support to Libby while on trial for his role in the Plame affair,[19] serving on the advisory board of Libby's defense fund that had taken in 3.5 million USD as of February 9, 2007.


[edit] 2008 Presidential Run
There recently has been a movement to encourage Thompson to run for President in 2008. He has not announced a run but has said he will "leave the door open"[21]. On March 11, 2007, Thompson said on Fox News Sunday that he has not ruled out running for president.

On March 19, 2007, Thompson took over 50 percent in an online straw poll on conservative website Hannity.com, handily beating the candidate he supported in 2000, John McCain, as well as Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, and Newt Gingrich. A few days later, a Rasmussen Reports poll had him ahead of Senator Hillary Clinton with 44 percent to Clinton's 43 percent (a statistical tie, given margin of error)[22].

On March 27, 2007, a USA Today/Gallup [1] poll placed Thompson in third place among Republican candidates with 12%. According to Gallup, Thompson's support was drawn primarily from Giuliani supporters, evidenced by Giuliani's drop of 13% from the previous poll. This indicates that Thompson's yet-to-be-announced candidacy may be more viable than previously thought, and his support could increase dramatically upon an announcement that he will seek the office in 2008. However, some pundits argue that the longer he waits to announce, the poorer his chance of securing the Republican nomination. On March 28, 2007, NewsMax reported "Focus on the Family founder James Dobson questioned Fred Thompson’s presidential aspirations, saying the former senator is not a Christian." Dobson – now the most politically powerful figure in the U.S. Christian right movement – said in a phone call to Dan Gilgoff, senior editor at U.S. News & World Report. " I don’t think he’s a Christian. At least that’s my impression.” Thompson's spokesperson Mark Corallo replied that "Thompson is indeed a Christian," and that "He was baptized into the Church of Christ."


Filmography
Marie (1985)
No Way Out (1987)
Feds (198
Fat Man and Little Boy (1989)
The Hunt for Red October (1990)
Days of Thunder (1990)
Die Hard 2: Die Harder (1990)
Flight of the Intruder (1991) (uncredited)
Class Action (1991)
Necessary Roughness (1991)
Curly Sue (1991)
Cape Fear (1991)
Aces: Iron Eagle III (1992)
Thunderheart (1992)
White Sands (1992) (uncredited)
Born Yesterday (1993)
In the Line of Fire (1993)
Barbarians at the Gate (1993)
Baby's Day Out (1994)
Celsius 41.11 (2004)
Racing Stripes (2005, voice)
Last Best Chance (2005)
Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World (2005)

Electoral history
1996 Race for U.S. Senate
Fred Thompson (R) (inc.), 61%
Houston Gordon (D), 37%
1994 Race for U.S. Senate (Special Election)
Fred Thompson (R), 60%
Jim Cooper (D), 39%








Fred Thompson should run for President
Here's why...



Fred Thompson is a true American statesman and has the experience that matters.

Fred is a real conservative. From tax cuts, to cleaning up government, to his vital role in the confirmation of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, Fred Thompson has a record of fighting for conservative values.

Fred has the knowledge and expertise on the issues that matter most in today's world.

Fred Thompson, like Ronald Reagan, has the ability to bring conservative principles to the Oval Office, communicate to Americans, and bring our Nation together.


Why he should not run for president


Thompson is a Republican Thompson is a neoconservative CFR/internationalist.

"yes" on allowing more H-2A visas for foreign agriculturial workers
"yes" on H1-B and H1-Cvisas for skilled foreign workers
"yes" on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade agreements authority
"yes" on permanent normal trade relations with Communist China
"yes" on expanding trade to the third world
"yes" on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam
"yes" on extending free trade to Andean nations
"no" on more penalties for gun & drug violations
Please feel free to chime any with any other Good resons