Testing the Waters

Fred Thompson considers presidential run

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Former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson listens as U.S. President George W. Bush speaks to participants at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington in April 2007. (Photo: Ron Sachs/UPI Photo/NewsCom)

June 1, 2007

After months of speculation, Fred Thompson, former Senator and actor from Tennessee, announced that he was considering running for President of the United States. As his first step, Thompson formed a “testing the waters” committee, which will allow him to gauge people’s reaction.

In his most recent acting role, Thompson played prosecuting attorney Arthur Branch in the TV show Law & Order. Many people are comparing him to Ronald Reagan, another actor and politician who ran for and won the presidency in 1981. The comparison is a good one. They both have the best of both worlds—popularity because of their acting careers, and good connections, thanks to their political campaigning.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with U.S. Representative Zach Wamp, Republican of Tennessee, who is co-chair of the “Draft Fred Thompson” campaign.

"Unlike other candidates, [Fred Thompson] didn't pursue the presidency," said Wamp. "But so many people have asked him to run for President that he is answering his country's call."

According to a source within the campaign, the papers allowing Thompson to form his committee will be filed to coincide with a fund-raising kickoff, where more than 100 “first day founders” try to raise a large amount of money. Thompson's committee will determine the next step after seeing the results of the fund-raising blitz.

While there is much support for Thompson, there are also those who doubt he’ll make a good President. According to some people associated with him in the past, Thompson lacks some of the qualities a President should have. However, far more people believe he will make a good President, due to his experience, self-confidence, and charisma.

Scholastic Kid Reporter Aaron Broder talks to U.S. Representative Zach Wamp. (Photo: Courtesy Aaron Broder)

Thompson’s first major political appearance was during the Watergate controversy, where he was on the Watergate Committee in the early 1970s. During this time, he asked questions that helped reveal the secret behind the scandal. Thompson's next big appearance led to his acting career, when he played himself in the movie Marie (about a prison case he tried).

From that point, he became a recognizable face in movies such as The Hunt for Red October, In the Line of Fire, and Days of Thunder. This recognition helped him win an election when Vice President Al Gore needed someone to complete his term in the Senate. Thompson stayed in the Senate until 2002, when he decided to return to the entertainment business when he took a role in Law & Order.

A recent CNN/Opinion Research Corps Poll showed Thompson was the third choice for the Republican nomination—before he even announced his intentions. The upcoming months should reveal if his popularity continues to hold with voters. Be sure to stick with Scholastic News Online for updates on the 2008 election.

Election 2008

Scholastic Kid Reporters are on the campaign trail. Keep up with the latest election news in this special report.

 

Aaron Broder is a member of the Scholastic Kids Press Corps.

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