After months of playing footsie with the wingnut set currently creeped out by the prospect of a Mormon or Cross-Dresser in the White House might just have a new third option – Fred Dalton Thompson. TPMmuckraker reports the following, via the Politico:
Fred Dalton Thompson is planning to enter the presidential race over the Fourth of July holiday, announcing that week that he has already raised several million dollars and is being backed by insiders from the past three Republican administrations, Thompson advisers told The Politico.
Thompson, the "Law and Order" star and former U.S. senator from Tennessee, has been publicly coy, even as people close to him have been furiously preparing for a late entry into the wide-open contest. But the advisers said Thompson dropped all pretenses on Tuesday afternoon during a conference call with more than 100 potential donors, each of whom was urged to raise about $50,000.
[...]
A member of Thompson's inner circle, who insisted on anonymity, said the former senator will offer himself as a consistent conservative who can unite all elements of the Republican Party. "The public is increasingly cynical and disenchanted with government," this adviser said. "Competence is at the heart of what people want from government, and they need to have a sense that government can do the things they care the most about. They want a reason to continue Republican governance. Thompson can be seen as the adult with a firm hand on the tiller."
Great idea – another actor President, now that Dubya hasn't matched up to the St. Reagan mold. Although we could use a return to a White House of "Law and Order", I doubt very much that would happen, as Fred spent a significant portion of his political life as a lobbyist. The Tennesean says the following:
Back in 1992, the Gucci loafers, Lincoln Continental and high-dollar lobbying fees of Fred D. Thompson, Esquire, weren't playing too well at the political box office in Tennessee. So, he bought an old red pickup and a pair of $100 boots, tuned up the drawl and beat a Harvard man for the Senate in Big Orange country.
No matter, he can just offer a gravy-soaked homily and the mouth-breathers will just lap-it-up. Pay no attention to what happens after the director yells "Cut!" From the Washington Monthly:
Finishing his talk, Thompson shakes a few hands, then walks out with the rest of the crowd to the red pickup truck he made famous during his 1994 Senate campaign. My friend stands talking with her colleagues as the senator is driven away by a blond, all-American staffer. A few minutes later, my friend gets into her car to head home. As she pulls up to the stop sign at the parking lot exit, rolling up to the intersection is Senator Thompson, now behind the wheel of a sweet silver luxury sedan. He gives my friend a slight nod as he drives past. Turning onto the main road, my friend passes the school's small, side parking area. Lo and behold: There sits the abandoned red pickup, along with the all-American staffer.
Any problems with the theatrical arrangements can be fixed by one Timothy Griffin, protege of Karl Rove, he of "caging list scandal" and central character in the ongoing AttorneyGate Purge involving Alberto Gonzalez, Monica Goodling, Kyle Sampson, and others. Griffin is auditioning for a role in Thompson's campaign, according to tpmmuckraker via the WSJ:
Backers look for Fred Thompson to use a June 2 speech to Virginia Republicans to step closer toward the race. Thompson allies have had discussions with Tim Griffin, the Arkansas U.S. attorney and Rove protégé, about taking a top job with the campaign.
Sounds like the perfect combination to "bring integrity back to the Oval Office" and "win back the trust of the conservative voters".
