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| {{future election in the United States}} | |||
| {{otheruses4|the actor/politician|the silent movie actor|Fred Thomson}} | |||
| {{Infobox Senator | name=Frederick Dalton Thompson | |||
| | image name=Fred_Thompson.jpg | |||
| | imagesize=148px | |||
| | jr/sr=United States Senator | |||
| | state=] | |||
| | party=] | |||
| | term_start=] ] | |||
| | term_end=] ] | |||
| | preceded=] | |||
| | succeeded=] | |||
| | date of birth={{birth date and age|1942|08|19}} | |||
| | place of birth=] {{flagicon|USA}} | |||
| | dead=alive | |||
| | date of death= | |||
| | place of death= | |||
| | spouse=(1) ] (Knestrick), 1959–1985; divorced<br/>(2) ], 2002–Present | |||
| | alma_mater=] | |||
| | profession=], ], ], ], ], ] | |||
| | religion= ] | |||
| | | |||
| }} | |||
| '''Frederick Dalton "Fred" Thompson''' (born ] ]) is an ] ], ], ], and ]. He represented ] as a ] in the ] from 1994 through 2003. | |||
| Thompson is a member of the ] and a Visiting Fellow with the ], specializing in ] and ].<ref> | |||
| American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, .</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=] | accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> He resides in ], ] near ]<ref name=KNS070314>{{cite news | |||
| |url=http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/politics/article/0,1406,KNS_356_5416046,00.html | |||
| |last=Locker |first=Richard | |||
| |title=Thompson may house hunt in Tenn. | |||
| |publisher='']'' | |||
| |date=], ] |accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> | |||
| As an actor, Thompson has performed in film and on television. He has frequently portrayed ] figures.<ref name="NYT941112">{{cite news | |||
| |last=Bragg |first=Rick | |||
| |title=Grits and Glitter Campaign Helps Actor Who Played a Senator Become One | |||
| |publisher='']'' |pages=Sec. 1, p. 10 | |||
| |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20710FA3D550C718DDDA80994DC494D81 | |||
| |date =], ] |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 ] ] '']'', playing ] ] ]. | |||
| On ], ], Fred Thompson asked to be released from his television duties, potentially in preparation for a presidential bid.<ref name="lawandorder">''Associated Press'' and Cameron, Carl. , ''Fox News'' (]).</ref> Then on ] ] he formed a presidential exploratory committee regarding his possible ]. | |||
| ==Early life and education == | |||
| Fred Thompson was born August 19, 1942 in ], ] to Ruth Inez (Bradley) and Fletcher Session Thompson, an automobile salesman.<ref> via filmreference.com.</ref><ref name="thompsonancestry">{{cite web | |||
| |last=Reitwiesner |first=William Addams | |||
| |title=Ancestry of Fred Thompson |publisher=self-published, non-authoritative | |||
| |url=http://www.wargs.com/political/thompsonf.html |accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> He attended the ]s in ], ] including Lawrence County High School. After graduating from high school, he worked days in the local post office and worked nights at a bicycle assembly plant.<ref name="Lawrimore" /> | |||
| Thompson entered Florence State College, now the ], becoming the first member of his family to go to college.<ref name="about">, via imwithfred.com (Official Site). Retrieved (]).</ref> He subsequently transferred to Memphis State University, now the ], where he earned a ] in ] and ] in 1964, as well as scholarships to both ] and ] law schools.<ref name="Lawrimore" /> He went on to earn his ] degree from Vanderbilt in 1967.<ref name="about" /> | |||
| ==Attorney== | |||
| Thompson was admitted to the ] in 1967 and worked as an assistant ] from 1969 to 1972.<ref>, Lawrenceburg Tennessee</ref> In that position, he successfully prosecuted bank robbery and other cases.<ref name="Lawrimore" /> | |||
| He was the campaign manager for Republican U.S. Senator ]'s successful re-election campaign in 1972, which led to a close friendship with Baker. He later served as co-chief counsel to the ] in its investigation of the ], (1973–1974), and afterwards wrote a book about it.<ref>Thompson, Fred. '''' (1975).</ref> | |||
| 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 ] claims and the defense of individuals accused of ]s.<ref>Vogel, Kenneth. , '']'' (]). Retrieved ].</ref> While in private practice, he also accepted appointments as Special Counsel to the ] (1980-1981), Special Counsel to the ] (1982), and Member of the Appellate Court Nominating Commission for the State of Tennessee (1985-1987).<ref name="Lawrimore" /><ref name="about" /> Some of his clients have been foreign corporations, such as a German mining group and Japan's 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 ], while also serving on its ].<ref name="Dilanian" /> | |||
| ===Role in Watergate hearings=== | |||
| {{main|Watergate scandal}} | |||
| ] , and ] of the Senate Watergate Committee in 1973.]] | |||
| Thompson was appointed minority counsel for the hearings surrounding the ].<ref name="thompsoncooperates">{{cite news |last=| first= | |publisher='']''|title=Thompson cooperated with White House during Watergate |url=http://www.wmcstations.com/Global/story.asp?S=6757748|date=], ]}}</ref> He was responsible for Sen. Baker asking one of the questions that is said to have led directly to the downfall of ] ]—"What did the President know, and when did he know it?"<ref name="foxthompsonmulls"> | |||
| {{cite news |last=Cameron| first=Carl | |publisher='']''|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=], ]}} | |||
| </ref> | |||
| Also, Thompson himself asked former White House aide ], at the public committee hearing, about listening devices in the White House, although the committee already knew the answer to that question because Butterfield had earlier been interviewed by Senate investigators in closed session.<ref name="thompsoncooperates"> | |||
| {{cite news |last=| first= | |publisher='']''|title=National Thompson cooperated with White House during Watergate |url=http://www.wmcstations.com/Global/story.asp?S=6757748|date=], ]}} | |||
| </ref><ref name=MC961201>{{cite news |last=Cottle |first=Michelle |url=http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/archives/9612.cottle.html | |||
| |title=Another Beltway Bubba? |publisher='']''|date=], ] |accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> | |||
| 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 was apt to be outfoxed by committee Democrats.<ref name="Lowy" /> According to historian Stanley Kutler, Fred Thompson and Howard 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"> | |||
| Lowy, Joan. "," ''Associated Press'' (]).</ref> | |||
| 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 thirty 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='']'' |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> | |||
| ===Corruption case against Tennessee Governor=== | |||
| In ], Thompson represented Marie Ragghianti who was a former Tennessee Parole Board chair. Ragghianti had refused to release felons who had bribed aides to Democratic Governor ] in order to obtain ].<ref name="blanton">''. Retrieved ].</ref> With Thompson's assistance, Ragghianti filed a wrongful termination suit against the office of Governor Blanton. | |||
| Thompson previously considered legal action on behalf of other state employees who were allegedly dismissed for political reasons. In the Ragghianti case, Thompson helped to expose the cash-for-clemency scheme which eventually led to the removal of Blanton 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 ]. | |||
| ==Lobbyist== | |||
| Thompson has been a ] intermittently since 1975, and has earned about $1 million from his lobbying efforts during that time. He says that criticism about his lobbying activities is likely to increase as he gets closer to announcing his candidacy, but Thompson also expects that such criticism will 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'' (]).</ref> According to the '']'' newspaper: | |||
| <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> | |||
| For example, in 1982, on behalf of the Tennessee Savings and Loan League, Thompson lobbied the U.S. Congress to pass the ] which ] the ] (S&L) industry.<ref name=MC961201/> This Act was supported by President Reagan and a large congressional majority, but it turned out to be one of many contributing factors that led to the ] of the late 1980s.<ref>Leibold, Arthur. "Some Hope for the Future After a Failed National Policy for Thrifts" ''in'' Barth, James et al. '''', 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" /> | |||
| Thompson also did some lobbying for free. For example, when Haitian President ] was overthrown in 1991, Thompson made a telephone call to ] who was then White House Chief of Staff, in order to advocate (as Thompson described) "restoration of the democratically elected government of the Republic of Haiti."<ref name="lobbying">Vogel, Kenneth. , ''The Politico'' (]).</ref> Eventually, "Aristide was restored to power in 1994 by U.S. troops under President Clinton."<ref name="DefendsLobbying">{{cite news | |||
| |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2007-06-26-thompson-lobbyist_N.htm |title=Fred Thompson defends lobbyist past |first= |last= |publisher='']'' |date=], ] |accessdate=2007-07-25}}</ref> | |||
| Billing records show that Thompson, ], 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 | |||
| |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='']'' |date=], ] |accessdate=2007-07-19}}</ref> President ] eased the departmental regulation when he sent a memo to ] Secretary Louis Sullivan stating that the regulation should allow women to receive referrals to facilities that perform abortion, but not to facilities whose principal business is providing abortions.<ref>, 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 Bush of legislation that would have completely overturned the regulation.<ref name="clymer">Clymer, Adam. , ''New York Times'' (]).</ref> | |||
| After leaving the Senate in 2003, Thompson's only lobbying work was for London-based ], which is a ] company. He was paid $760,000 from 2004 to 2006 in order to help prevent legislation that Equitas said unfairly singled them out for unfavorable treatment regarding ].<ref name="Dilanian">Dilanian, Ken. , ] (]).</ref> Thompson spokesman Mark Corrallo said that Thompson was proud to have been a lobbyist and believed in Equitas's cause.<ref>Birnbaum, Jeffrey. , ''Washington Post'', June 12, 2007</ref> | |||
| ==Character actor== | |||
| ].]] The 1977 corruption case against Tennessee Governor ] later became the subject of a 1983 book, ''Marie'', by ]. Director ] 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, '']'', was released in 1985. | |||
| Donaldson then cast Thompson in the part of the ] in his next movie, '']'', in 1987.<ref name=Hayes070502>{{cite news | |||
| |url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/013/528aylls.asp |title=From the Courthouse to the White House | |||
| |first=Stephen F. |last=Hayes |publisher=] | |||
| |date=], ] |accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> Thompson would go on to appear in many films and television shows. A 1994 '']'' profile wrote that "When Hollywood directors need someone who can personify governmental power, they often turn to ."<ref name=NYT941112/> | |||
| In the final months of his ] term in 2002, Thompson joined the cast of the long-running ] ] '']'', playing District Attorney ]. Thompson began filming during the August 2002 Senate recess.<ref name="Lawrimore">Lawrimore, Erin. , University of Tennessee Special Collections Library (]).</ref> | |||
| He has also made occasional appearances in the same Arthur Branch role on other shows, such as '']'', '']'', and the ] of '']''. On ] ], he asked to be released from the Arthur Branch role, potentially in preparation for a presidential bid.<ref name="lawandorder"/> | |||
| ==Senate (1994-2003)== | |||
| ===Two campaigns for U.S. Senate=== | |||
| In 1994, Thompson was elected to finish the remaining two years of ]'s unexpired ] term. Gore had been elected ] in ], and resigned his Senate seat leaving ] as "caretaker" of the seat. During the 1994 campaign, Thompson's opponent was longtime Nashville Congressman ]. 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. , '']'' (]). There is some question about whether Thompson actually did the driving. According to Kevin Drum of the '']'', "Thompson didn't even deign to drive the thing himself." Drum, Kevin. , '']'' (]). Retrieved ]. 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. , ''Bloomberg'' (]). According to ''Newsweek'', "The paint is peeling and its U.S. Senate license plates expired back in 2002." Bailey, Holly. , ''Newsweek'' (]). Retrieved ].</ref> In a good year for Republican candidates,<ref>Traub, James. , ''New York Times Magazine'' (]): "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% margin in the polls to defeat Cooper by an even greater margin.<ref>{{cite news | |||
| |last =Heilemann| first=John |publisher='']'' | |||
| |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 ], a Nashville heart surgeon, defeated three-term incumbent Democrat ], the chairman of the ], 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 ] in 1976. | |||
| In 1996, Thompson was re-elected (for the term ending ] ]) with 61% of the vote, defeating Democratic attorney Houston Gordon of ], even as ] narrowly carried ] by less than three percentage points on his way to re-election.<ref>, Psephos, Adam Carr's Election Archive.</ref> The GOP continues to hold the seat, as it was won by former Tennessee Governor and ] ] in ]. | |||
| ===Senate career=== | |||
| ].]] | |||
| While in the Senate, Thompson served as the chairman of the ] from 1997 to 2001. The committee investigated ] 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 | |||
| |last =Fund| first=John |publisher='']'' | |||
| |title=Lights, Camera ... Candidacy? | |||
| |url=http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110009798 | |||
| |date=], ] |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. (]).</ref> | |||
| 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, . Retrieved (]).</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> (via Archive.org).</ref> | |||
| Fred Thompson's work as a senator included investigation of the ] involving the death of Tennessean Lance Fielder during the ], support for ], opposing proliferation of ], 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 ] for presidential debates in 1996.<ref name="Lawrimore" /> | |||
| ].]]Thompson has an 86.1 percent lifetime (1995-2002) ] vote rating, compared to 89.3 for ] and 82.3 for ].<ref>"", ''Washington Times Editorial'' (]).</ref><ref> (including bio, positions, finances, interest group ratings, votes, and statements).</ref> Senator ] of 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., ''The Tennessean'' (]).</ref> Thompson was "on the short end of a couple of 99-1 votes,"<ref name="federalism"/> voting against those who wanted to federalize matters that he believed were properly left to state and local officials. | |||
| On ] ], the Senate voted on the ]. The perjury charge was defeated with 45 votes for ], and 55 including Thompson against. The ] charge was defeated with 50 including Thompson for conviction, and 50 against. Conviction on ] charges requires the affirmative votes of 67 senators. | |||
| In the 2000 Republican presidential primaries, Thompson initially backed former Tennessee Gov. ], who eventually succeeded Thompson in the Senate two years later. When Alexander dropped out of the presidential race, Thompson endorsed Senator ]'s bid and became his national co-chairman.<ref>{{cite news | |||
| |last=Neal |first=Terry M. |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/wh2000/stories/pmcmccain081899.htm | |||
| |title=McCain Re-Emerges; Receives Thompson Endorsement | |||
| |publisher='']'' |date=], ]}}</ref> Both McCain and Thompson were contenders to be then-Governor Bush's running mate in 2000.<ref>, ''USA Today'' (]).</ref><ref>Zuckerbrod, Nancy., via oakridger.com ]). Retrieved ].</ref> | |||
| == Post-Senate activities == | |||
| 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 ] 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 | |||
| |title=A New Role for Fred Thompson |authorlink=Mark Halperin |last=Halperin |first=Mark |publisher='']'' |date=], ]}}</ref> However, he has remained politically active, and is now considering a run for President. | |||
| ===Political work=== | |||
| ].]]In March 2003, Thompson was featured in a commercial by the conservative non-profit group ] that advocated the ], stating: "When people ask what has Saddam done to us, I ask, what had the 9/11 hijackers done to us -- before 9/11,"<ref name="cnncitizensunited>{{cite news | |||
| |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0303/01/smn.10.html | |||
| |title=Interview with Mike Boos of Citizens United | |||
| |authorlink=CNN Saturday Morning News | |||
| |publisher='']'' |date=], ]}}</ref> and ]. | |||
| Thompson did voice-over work at the ].<ref>Goldsmith, Brian. , CBS News (]).</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. , via YouTube. Retrieved (]).</ref> | |||
| After the retirement of ] ] ] in 2005, he was appointed to an informal position by President ] to help guide the nomination of ] through the ] confirmation process.<ref>{{cite news | |||
| |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='']'' |date=], ] |accessdate=2007-07-19}}</ref> Roberts was subsequently confirmed as ]. | |||
| Until July of 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>, 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>, State Department web site.</ref> | |||
| ===Legal defense for Lewis Libby=== | |||
| {{main|Lewis Libby}} | |||
| In 2006 he served on the advisory board of the legal defense fund for ], who was indicted and later convicted of lying to federal investigators during their investigation of the ].<ref> | |||
| {{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='']'' |date=], ]}} | |||
| </ref><ref> | |||
| {{cite news | |||
| |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='']'' |date=], ]}} | |||
| </ref> | |||
| Thompson, who had never met Libby before volunteering for the advisory board, was convinced Libby was innocent.<ref name=Hayes070502/> | |||
| 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> | |||
| Loller, Travis. , '']'' (]). | |||
| </ref> | |||
| Thompson hosted a fundraiser for the Libby defense fund at his home in McLean, Virginia.<ref> | |||
| Copeland, Libby and Montgomery, David. , '']'' (]). | |||
| </ref> | |||
| After President Bush commuted Libby's sentence Thompson released a statement: "I am very happy for Scooter Libby," Thompson said. "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 | |||
| |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='']'' |date=], 2007]]}} | |||
| </ref> | |||
| ===Radio analyst=== | |||
| In 2006, he signed on with ] to serve as senior analyst and vacation replacement for ].<ref>Miller, Korin. , '']'' (]).</ref> He used that platform to spell out his positions on a number of political issues. A ], ] 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>, ] Radio Networks.</ref> | |||
| ==Political positions== | |||
| {{Main|Political positions of Fred Thompson}} | |||
| Thompson has said that ] is his "]," 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. , ] (]). Retrieved ].</ref> | |||
| Thompson supports ] and ].<ref name="Lincoln Day">Thompson, Fred. , ], May 4, 2007. Accessed May 13, 2007.</ref> <ref>Thompson, Fred. , ], April 14, 2007. Accessed May 13, 2007.</ref> He says that '']'' was a wrong decision that ought to be overturned, and that he is ],<ref>{{cite news | |||
| | title = Transcript: Former Sen. Fred Thompson on 'FOX News Sunday' | |||
| | url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,258222,00.html | |||
| | date = 2007-03-11 | |||
| | accessdate = 2007-06-17 }}</ref> but he also has said that states should decide not to criminalize young women for early term ].<ref name="hannity">, ''Fox News Interview'' (]).</ref> <ref>Bailey, Holly. "," ''Newsweek'' (]).</ref> Thompson is skeptical that humanity is to blame for ].<ref>Thompson, Fred. , ], March 22, 2007. Accessed May 13, 2007.</ref> He says citizens are entitled to ] if they do not have criminal records.<ref name=ArmedWithTruth>Thompson, Fred. , ], May 10, 2007. Accessed May 13, 2007.</ref> Thompson's support of the ] campaign finance legislation brought criticism from groups such as ] (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. , 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>, Fox News, June 6, 2007. Accessed June 9, 2007.</ref>Thompson says U.S. borders need to be secured before considering comprehensive ] reform.<ref name="Lincoln Day"/> Thompson supported the U.S. invasion of ], but he believes that mistakes have been made since then.<ref name= FNS311>{{cite web | |||
| | title = Former Sen. Fred Thompson on 'FOX News Sunday' | |||
| | date = 2007-03-11 | |||
| | url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,258222,00.html | |||
| | accessdate = 2007-07-02 }}</ref> He is opposed to withdrawal from Iraq.<ref name=>{{cite web | |||
| | title = Thompson: U.S. must rebuild military | |||
| | date = 2007-08-21 | |||
| | url = http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070821/ap_po/candidates_iraq | |||
| | accessdate = 2007-07-02 }}</ref> He also believes that ] should be taken seriously.<ref name= London619>Thompson, Fred. (]). Retrieved ].</ref> | |||
| ==Controversy== | |||
| {{main|Fred Thompson controversies}} | |||
| Fred Thompson has seen some controversy, most notably allegations about ], allegations about ] to benefit his son, and allegations about ]. | |||
| ==Possible presidential campaign== | |||
| ] on August 25, 2007.]] | |||
| === Polls === | |||
| {{main|Opinion polling for the United States presidential election, 2008}} | |||
| {{main|Opinion polling for the Republican Party (United States) 2008 presidential candidates}} | |||
| Although not yet a declared candidate, Thompson has been included in several polls and shows increasing strength in the states that vote early in the caucus and primary schedule. | |||
| ===Speculation, comments, and rumor=== | |||
| On ] ], Thompson appeared on '']'' to discuss the possibility of a 2008 candidacy for president. The announcement spurred several grassroots draft movements, including a well-organized draft campaign started by Dean Rice, a former Thompson political aide, in Knoxville, Tennessee. While Thompson had not yet formally announced his intentions, he said he would "leave the door open."<ref>{{cite web | |||
| |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,258222,00.html | |||
| |title=Transcript: Former Sen. Fred Thompson on 'FOX News Sunday' | |||
| |publisher=] |date=], ]}}</ref> Thompson has stated that he would not be interested in accepting a hypothetical nomination for vice president, explaining "I don't think I would ever want to do that and be in the second position."<ref>Seidman, Joel. , '']'' (]).</ref> | |||
| More recently, a '']'' article cited Thompson's aides as saying on July 18th that Fred Thompson planned to enter the race just after ] (the first Monday in September), with a national announcement tour.<ref> Nagourney, Adam. , '']'' (]).</ref> | |||
| 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 of Fred Thompson.<ref>See .</ref> One group of Fred Thompson supporters, many of whom call themselves "FredHeads," organized under the banner "FredHeadsUSA" with a plan to build a grassroots pro-Fred political movement in the physical world to expand on the vigorous pro-Fred activity already taking place in the virtual world.<ref>See the and the .</ref> On ], he continued his Internet campaign, posting a letter to ] acknowledging his online supporters.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://pajamasmedia.com/2007/05/fred_thompson_exclusive_story.php |title=To PJM and Friends |first=Fred |last=Thompson |publisher='']'' | date=], ]}}</ref> | |||
| ===Exploratory committee=== | |||
| Thompson formed an ] on ].<ref name="whsvspeakinrichmond">{{cite news | title =Fred Thompson to Speak in Richmond | publisher =WHSV TV | date =2007-06-01 | url =http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/7800651.html | accessdate = 2007-06-03 }}</ref> Unlike most candidate exploratory groups, his is organized as a ].<ref>{{cite news | last=Horrigan | first=Marie |title =Fred Thompson’s Long ‘Exploration’ Raises Money — and Confusion | publisher =Congressional Quarterly | date =2007-07-31 | url =http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/07/fred_thompsons_long_exploratio.html | accessdate = 2007-08-08 }}</ref> Thompson's first public appearance after this exploratory committee was ] at the Virginia Republicans annual fund-raising gala in ], according to the ''Virginia Daily Press''.<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 later on ], ] Fred Thompson launched his official website.<ref></ref> Also on ], there was a Republican Presidential candidates debate with the current 10 candidates, from New Hampshire, broadcast on CNN. Fred Thompson was mentioned repeatedly as one of the poll front runners even though he did not participate.<ref>Struglinski, Suzanne and Roche, Lisa. , ''Deseret Morning News'' (]).</ref> | |||
| On ], ], Thompson appeared on '']''. He would not announce his candidacy, but referred to his presidential exploratory committee, which he stated yielded positive prospects. Leno mentioned that Thompson was #2 in the polls, and asked Thompson if he would at least state if he would like the job of President. Thompson responded that, while he did not crave the job itself, there were things he would like to do that he could only do by holding that office.<ref>{{cite news | title =Thompson Tells Leno He Would Like to Be President | publisher =Fox News | date =2007-06-07 | url =http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,281596,00.html | accessdate = 2007-06-28 }}</ref> | |||
| Political insiders in Tennessee expect 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. , ''washingtonpost.com's Politics Blog'' (]).</ref> Also said to be likely senior advisers are former Republican National Committee chair ], former vice president of the food and tobacco company ] Tom Collamore, PR man ], former chairman of the Federal Election Commission ], former U.S. Senate aide Tom Daffron, longtime Tennessee politician Tom Ingram and Congressman ].<ref>{{cite news | first = Ken | last = Whitehouse | title = The 'Inner Fred' | url = http://www.nashvillepost.com/news/2007/6/1/the_inner_fred | |||
| | publisher = ] | date = ], ] | accessdate = 2007-06-01 }}</ref> | |||
| In early July 2007, Liz Sidoti of ''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. , '']'' (]). Retrieved (]).</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" /> | |||
| On July 24, 2007, Thompson announced he was replacing his acting campaign manager, Tom Collamore, with former Michigan Senator and Secretary of Energy ] and Florida GOP strategist Randy Enright.<ref name="camp1"></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 = ], ] | accessdate = 2007-08-13}}</ref> | |||
| On July 31, 2007, the Thompson committee reported to the IRS that it had raised almost $3.5 million and spent $625 thousand 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=], ] | access date =] }}</ref> | |||
| On August 8, 2007, ] was named manager of Thompson's testing the waters committee. Lacy had worked in the campaigns of President Reagan, President Bush, and Senator 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=], ] | access date =] }}</ref> | |||
| Fred Thompson visited Iowa on ], ], but did not officially launch his presidential campaign. Thompson was asked by ] 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 will be able to join the other Republican candidates on stage at the events when he ''is'' an announced candidate. | |||
| On ], ], Fred Thompson said that if elected president, he would work to overturn ]. 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=], ] | accessdate=2007-08-13 }}<br>{{cite web |publisher=The Corner |title=Nix That |date=], ] |accessdate=2007-08-20 |url=http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NTY1MTQ1NWM3ZWQ5MTIxYjk3ZTIzNGJlZTI3YTBhZDA= }}</ref> | |||
| ===Endorsements=== | |||
| On ] ] former U.S. Senator ] (New York) endorsed Thompson for Republican presidential nominee in 2008.<ref>Keating, Raymond. , ''Newsday'' (])</ref><ref> ''New York Daily News: The Daily Politics'' (]).</ref> Also, as of ] ], Thompson had been endorsed by eighteen current members of Congress, including both Tennessee senators.<ref>, ''The Hill'' (]).</ref> | |||
| ==Personal life== | |||
| In September 1959, at the age of 17, Thompson married Sarah Elizabeth Lindsey. Their son Frederick Dalton "Tony" Thompson Jr. was born in April 1960.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070506/NEWS0206/705060398 |title=Fred Thompson chronology |publisher='']'' |date=], ]}}</ref> Another son and a daughter were born soon thereafter. While Thompson was attending law school, both he and his wife worked to pay for his education and support their three children.<ref name=MC961201/> | |||
| Fred and Sarah Thompson divorced in 1985. They have two surviving children,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/02/us/politics/02thompson.html?ex=1341115200&en=090491f42de11114&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink |title=As Senator Rose, Lobbying Became Family Affair |first=David |last=Kirkpatrick |publisher='']'' |date=], ]}}</ref> as well as five grandchildren. Thompson's daughter Elizabeth "Betsy" Thompson Panici died from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs on ] ].<ref name=JF070317/><ref name="TIME070524">{{cite news |url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1624881,00.html | |||
| |title=Has Fred Thompson Found His Role? |authorlink=Mark Halperin |last=Halperin |first=Mark |publisher='']'' |date=], ]}}</ref> | |||
| Prior to his current ], Thompson was romantically linked to ] ] ], Republican ] ], and ] ].<ref>Baxter, Sarah. , ''Times Online'' (]).</ref> Thompson met Republican consultant ] on ], ]<ref>{{cite news | |||
| |url= http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/131015771.html?dids=131015771:131015771&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT |title=Reliable Sources |first=Lloyd |last=Grove | |||
| |publisher='']'' |date=], ]}}</ref> and the two married on June 29, 2002. They have two small children.<ref name=JF070317/> | |||
| Thompson has ] (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 | |||
| |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,265271,00.html | |||
| |title=Former Senator Fred Thompson in Remission for Lymphoma | |||
| |publisher='']'' | |||
| |date=] ]}}</ref> | |||
| Like many patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Thompson received treatment with ].<ref>{{cite web | |||
| |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-apthompson11apr11,1,1455880.story | |||
| |title=Fred Thompson discloses past cancer diagnosis | |||
| |author=] |publisher='']'' | |||
| |date=], ]}}</ref> | |||
| 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 which is a rare form of NHL, accounting for only 1% to 3% of all NHLs.<ref>Bloom, Mark. "," ''MedPage Today'' (]).</ref> Coincidentally, two other potential Republican presidential nominees have also had cancer: ] and ]. | |||
| Thompson is a member of the ], a non-denominational group of churches affiliated with the ]-] ].<ref>Useem, Andrea. , ''Religion Writer.com'' (]). Retrieved ]. At least two previous presidents were associated with the Restoration Movement religions, including ] and ]. After Garfield's time, the Restoration movement split; LBJ belonged to the ], which is another branch of the movement. Ronald Reagan was raised as a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), but later attended Presbyterian services. See , Ronald Reagan Foundation.</ref> | |||
| ==Filmography== | |||
| ===Movies=== | |||
| {{Col-begin}} | |||
| {{Col-1-of-3}} | |||
| * '']'' (1985) | |||
| * '']'' (1987) | |||
| * '']'' (1988) | |||
| * '']'' (1989) | |||
| * '']'' (1990) | |||
| * '']'' (1990) | |||
| * '']'' (1990) | |||
| * '']'' (1991) (uncredited) | |||
| * '']'' (1991) | |||
| * '']'' (1991) | |||
| * '']'' (1991) | |||
| * '']'' (1991) | |||
| {{Col-2-of-3}} | |||
| * '']'' (1992) | |||
| * '']'' (1992) | |||
| * '']'' (1992) (uncredited) | |||
| * '']'' (1993) | |||
| * '']'' (1993) | |||
| * '']'' (1993) | |||
| * '']'' (1994) | |||
| * '']'' (2004) | |||
| * '']'' (2005, voice) | |||
| * '']'' (2005) | |||
| * '']'' (2005) | |||
| * '']'' (2007) | |||
| {{Col-3-of-3}} | |||
| ] (2005).]] | |||
| {{Col-end}} | |||
| ===TV series=== | |||
| * '']'' (2002-2007) | |||
| * '']'' (2005-2006) | |||
| * '']'' (11 episodes, 2003-2006) | |||
| * '']'' (2 episodes, 2005) | |||
| * '']'' (1 episode, 2006) | |||
| * '']'' (1 episode, 2000, as "Politician on TV") | |||
| * '']'' (1 episode in 1989 as "Gordon Lewis" and 1 episode in 1993 as "Prosecutor Mr. McGonigal") | |||
| * '']'' (1 episode, 1989, as "Keith Faber") | |||
| * '']'' (1 episode, 1989, as "Lt. Col. Reinhardt") | |||
| * '']'' (3 episodes, 1988, as "Knox Pooley") | |||
| ==Electoral history== | |||
| <center> | |||
| {{Election box begin | title=Tennessee United States Senate Election, 1996}} | |||
| {{Election box candidate with party link| | |||
| |party = Republican Party (US) | |||
| |candidate = Fred Thompson (]) | |||
| |votes = 1,091,554 | |||
| |percentage = 61.37 | |||
| |change = +0.93 | |||
| }} | |||
| {{Election box candidate with party link| | |||
| |party = Democratic Party (US) | |||
| |candidate = Houston Gordon | |||
| |votes = 654,937 | |||
| |percentage = 36.82 | |||
| |change = | |||
| }} | |||
| {{Election box candidate with party link| | |||
| |party = Independent (politician) | |||
| |candidate = ] | |||
| |votes = 14,401 | |||
| |percentage = 0.81 | |||
| |change = | |||
| }} | |||
| {{Election box majority| | |||
| |votes = 436,617 | |||
| |percentage = 24.55 | |||
| |change = +2.72 | |||
| }} | |||
| {{Election box hold with party link| | |||
| |winner = Republican Party (US) | |||
| |loser = | |||
| |swing = | |||
| }} | |||
| {{Election box end}} | |||
| {{Election box begin | title=Tennessee United States Senate Election, 1994 (Special)}} | |||
| {{Election box candidate with party link| | |||
| |party = Republican Party (US) | |||
| |candidate = Fred Thompson | |||
| |votes = 885,998 | |||
| |percentage = 60.44 | |||
| |change = | |||
| }} | |||
| {{Election box candidate with party link| | |||
| |party = Democratic Party (US) | |||
| |candidate = ] | |||
| |votes = 565,930 | |||
| |percentage = 38.61 | |||
| |change = | |||
| }} | |||
| {{Election box majority| | |||
| |votes = 320,068 | |||
| |percentage = 21.83 | |||
| |change = -16.07 | |||
| }} | |||
| {{Election box gain with party link| | |||
| |winner = Republican Party (US) | |||
| |loser = Democratic Party (US) | |||
| |swing = | |||
| }} | |||
| {{Election box end}} | |||
| </center> | |||
| ==Footnotes== | |||
| {{reflist|2}} | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| {{sisterlinks|Fred Thompson}} | |||
| *, Friends of Fred Thompson, Inc. (official ]). | |||
| *, ] Radio Networks (official site). | |||
| * (official video site). | |||
| * (official photo site). | |||
| *, University of Tennessee (official archive). | |||
| *{{Congbio|T000457}}. | |||
| *{{imdb name | id = 0000669 | name = Fred Dalton Thompson}} acting career. | |||
| * (aka OpenSecrets.org) campaign contributions. | |||
| * Lobbying disclosures, 1975-1994. | |||
| *, Lawrenceburg Tennessee | |||
| {{start box}} | |||
| {{s-off}} | |||
| {{U.S. Senator box| | |||
| before=]| | |||
| state=Tennessee| | |||
| class=2| | |||
| years=1994–2003| | |||
| after=]| | |||
| alongside=], ] | |||
| }} | |||
| {{succession box | |||
| |title=Chairman of ] | |||
| |before=]<br>Alaska</br> | |||
| |years=1997–2001 | |||
| |after=]<br>Connecticut</br> | |||
| }} | |||
| {{end box}} | |||
| {{USSenTN}} | |||
| {{2008 U.S. presidential election}} | |||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Thompson, Fred Dalton}} | |||
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