'Law & Order' star considers real Oval Office role
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Not enough "star" power for Fred Thompson in a GOP presidential field that includes some of his friends? Whatever the case, the actor and former Tennessee senator is considering getting into the 2008 race.
Thompson, who plays district attorney Arthur Branch on NBC's drama "Law & Order," said Sunday, "I'm giving some thought to it, going to leave the door open" and decide in the coming months. "It's not really a reflection on the current field at all," he said.
"I'm just going to wait and see what happens," Thompson added. "I wanted to see how my colleagues who are on the campaign trail do now, what they say, what they emphasize, what they're addressing, and how successful they are in doing that, and whether or not they can carry the ball in next November."
Thompson, 64, said he was pondering a run after former Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker and other Tennessee Republicans began drumming up support for his possible GOP candidacy, citing his conservative credentials. (Watch how Thompson might be right for new role )
"I think people are somewhat disillusioned. I think a lot of people are cynical out there. I think they're looking for something different. ... and I think that they're going to be open to different things," he said.
"It will be interesting to me as I listen to people and learn and watch what's going on and what's the reaction, and the poll numbers and so forth, as to whether or not my instinct on that is right."
On the issues, Thompson said he:
Is "pro-life," and believes federal judges should overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision as "bad law and bad medical science."
Opposes gay marriage, but would let states decide whether to allow civil unions. "Marriage is between a man and a woman, and I don't believe judges ought to come along and change that."
Opposes gun control, and praised last week's 2-1 federal appeals decision overturning a long-standing handgun ban. "The court basically said the Constitution means what it says, and I agree with that."
Supports President Bush's decision to increase troops in Iraq. "Wars are full of mistakes. You rectify things. I think we're doing that now," he said. "Why would we not take any chance, even though there's certainly no guarantees, to not be run out of that place? I mean, we've got to take that opportunity and give it a chance to work."
Would pardon former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby's conviction for perjury and obstruction of justice now, rather than waiting until all his appeals are exhausted. Thompson is a fundraiser for Libby's defense.
Thompson said he was not setting a deadline to make a decision and believes he won't be at a disadvantage if he waited until summer. "The lay of the land will be different in a few months than it is today, one way or the other."
He added, "One advantage you have in not ... having this as lifelong ambition is that if it turns out that your calculation is wrong, it's not the end of the world."
Thompson, the minority counsel in the Watergate investigation, was elected to the Senate in 1994 to fill the unexpired term of Vice President Al Gore. He was chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee and left the Senate in 2003 to resume his acting career.
Thompson has acted in films such as "The Hunt for Red October," "Cape Fear," and "In the Line of Fire."
Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, who is pursuing the Democratic nomination for president, said Thompson was as qualified as anyone "to credibly throw his hat in the ring." Added Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina: "I think he makes a great president in the movies and he might make a great one in real life."
Thompson was interviewed on "Fox News Sunday"; Biden and Graham spoke on CNN's "Late Edition."
U2democrat said:I actually like him, he's like the Joe Lieberman of the Republican Party
anitram said:
What, an asshole?
INDY500 said:Did she make these statements in her newly acquired southern drawl?
U2democrat said:
Meh, more like a traitor to the party
LyricalDrug said:
That "newly acquired southern drawl" smear is so bogus. For those who haven't heard, during her speech in Selma, Alabama before a predominantly African-American congregation, Hillary Clinton quoted from a writing that was *written* in dialect, and she was speaking in the same dialect in which the passage was written. The crowd roared its approval, and gave her a standing ovation.
Afterwards, Republicans attacked her for "faking a southern accent," and in the process, proved that they completely misunderstood her speech.
LyricalDrug said:
That "newly acquired southern drawl" smear is so bogus. For those who haven't heard, during her speech in Selma, Alabama before a predominantly African-American congregation, Hillary Clinton quoted from a writing that was *written* in dialect, and she was speaking in the same dialect in which the passage was written. The crowd roared its approval, and gave her a standing ovation.
Afterwards, Republicans attacked her for "faking a southern accent," and in the process, proved that they completely misunderstood her speech.
INDY500 said:
If she had used it only while reading from the James Cleveland hymn, fine. But she adopted it several times during her address, including a quotation from St. Paul whom, to my knowledge, was not from Alabama.
I'd say Hillary got off pretty easy compared to the sh#tstorm that would have followed a Republican speaking to a black congregation in such a manner.
LyricalDrug said:
Cry me a river. Republicans are just jealous that Hillary Clinton is embraced warmly by the African-American community, and meanwhile, "George Bush doesn't care about black people," to invoke a Kanye-ism. Given that Hillary's speech was enough to draw a standing ovation, and it was before a southern crowd, I don't think she has to apologize to anyone.
If anyone deserves getting ragged on for copping a bullsh*t southern accent, it's George Bush. He never had one before he became a politician, and half the time he uses it, and half the time he doesn't. It's just ridiculous. It reminds me of Kevin Costner's performance in 'Robin Hood,' where he randomly decided to use an English accent for oh, about half the scenes.
Brownback supports Pace's remark on gays By SAM HANANEL, Associated Press Writer
23 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Republican presidential candidate Sam Brownback (news, bio, voting record) is backing the Pentagon's top general over his remarks that homosexuality is immoral.
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The Kansas senator planned to send a letter on Thursday to President Bush supporting Marine Gen. Peter Pace, who earlier this week likened homosexuality to adultery and said the military should not condone it by allowing gay personnel to serve openly.
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs also said: "I believe that homosexual acts between individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts."
Lawmakers of both parties criticized the remarks, but Brownback's letter called the criticism "both unfair and unfortunate."
"We should not expect someone as qualified, accomplished and articulate as General Pace to lack personal views on important moral issues," Brownback said. "In fact, we should expect that anyone entrusted with such great responsibility will have strong moral views."
Asked whether he agreed with Pace's comments, Brownback said: "I do not believe being a homosexual is immoral, but I do believe homosexual acts are. I'm a Catholic and the church has clear teachings on this."
While there is no indication that Pace's job is in jeopardy, Brownback's letter to Bush said "personal moral beliefs" should not disqualify anyone from a position of leadership in the U.S. military.
"General Pace's recent remarks do not deserve the criticism they have received," the letter said. "In fact, we applaud General Pace for maintaining a personal commitment to moral principles."
Pace said he supports the military's "don't ask, don't tell policy" in which gay service members are required to keep their sexual orientation private. Brownback on Thursday said "don't ask, don't tell" is "an appropriate policy."
Brownback, a favorite of the religious right, has been a prominent opponent of gay marriage.
Brownback spokesman Brian Hart said the senator was working Thursday to get other lawmakers to sign his letter. Hart said Brownback's office would not disclose who has signed on to the letter until there is "a final count."
On his campaign bus in Iowa on Thursday, Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record), R-Ariz., declined to comment when asked whether he agreed with Gen. Peter Pace's comment that homosexuality was immoral. He said he still backs the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. "It's working."
MrsSpringsteen said:Wel Hillary Clinton wouldn't say whether she thinks homosexuality is immoral or not, and neither would any of the other Democratic candidates-not that I heard about or read.
anitram said:McCain is a disgrace.
If some official in the Catholic Church said he didn't know whether contraceptives decreased the spread of AIDS, everyone would be calling him negligent and irresponsible. This is no different.