Fred Thompson - So, what's the scoop on this guy?

[Roland99]

Is he linked to Baker and/or Carlyle?

I honestly don't know much about him and the M$M isn't forthcoming, that's for sure.

[EVDebs]

1. Gotta be a CIA insider. Just look at Woodward and Sen. Bennett's relationship

with Mellen & Co, the CIA's domestic front company during Watergate. Now that we've got 'hookergate' and the CIA/Whitehouse involved in Watergate part deux, we'll have to see if this GOP bit of damage control can be trotted out a second time.

[skipos]

2. He already polls even with Hillary, though that might say more about her than him

I don't want him to be the nominee. Mitt or Newt would be easier to beat, imo.

[Roland99]

3. That's what I'm thinking, too.

[waiting for hope]

4. I think the GOP is desparate...

The choices are pathetic and they know it - if he does enter the race, there will be a ton of stuff out there to discredit him I'm sure. I really don't think we need another "actor" in the WH during this time of unrest and unease - the majority of the American people will see that too.

[rsdsharp]

5. During Watergate he was perceived as Howard Baker's

protege. He was the minority attorney who actually asked Alexander Butterfield whether there was a secret taping system in Nixon's Whitehouse. When Butterfield reluctantly answered "yes," rather than attempting to invoke executive privilege as Nixon had expected if that question was ever asked, it blew the lid off of Watergate, and led directly to Nixon's resignation.

[napi21]

6. I don't know much either, but Dobson shot him down already!

Check this thread from last night.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=526770&mesg_id=526770

Saddestpart of this story is the last line that shows Dobson prefers Newt over Thompson!

[Roland99]

10. Yeah, saw that yesterday but that will actually sit well with "centrists/moderates"

Dobson is a fool.

[Norquist Nemesis]

7. He's part of the "in" crowd, certainly

They used Thompson as an escort for shuttling Chief Justice Roberts around during confirmation hearings. Now, what was that Bush was saying about 'political theatre'?

[SemperEadem]

8. the thugs think "we hit one out of the park with a thug actor once...

... let's try it again."

[bpeale]

9. he's an actor who thinks he's a politician

no thanks. we've had an actor before. i want all of them to stop acting and be for real.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

14. It is just the repugs attempt to find another Reagan. Two-bit actor

that can memorize lines and hit his marks. They don't want to chance they will have another Chucklenuts who can't even do that properly. They don't want a leader, they just need a cardboard cut out to hold out in front of them while they trash and loot the country. Actors in the repug party are perfect for this.

I don't like Thompson on Law and Order, didn't like him as a Senator and I don't like him now. I say, bring it on, Fred, bring it on.

[AllegroRondo]

16. he's not a politician, but he plays on on TV

unfortunately, most Americans dont know the difference.

[Virginia Dare]

11. He would be the ultimate puppet wouldn't he?...

he would merely be "playing" President, while the people who are really in charge could pull the strings at will. I mean, who's his running mate going to be "Max Headroom"?

Jeezus, we are on a slippery slope.

[spanone]

12. here's info minus the acting crap.

http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=T000457

[EVDebs]

13. Insider on the CIA/GOP moneytree that needs protection now...stay tuned !

Senate Intelligence Committee 1982. "...The Inside Story of Watergate Cmte"

[blondie58]

15. i'm not sure, but if Dobson is against him-

it raises my interest in him. I certainly don't want Dobson choosing the president by his choice of values. I read that he likes Newt- the adulterer.

And this is from a woman who, before he got all political, had a couple of his parenting books in her library. I honestly didn't realize that he was such a kook.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

17. Huh?

"And this is from a woman who, before he got all political, had a couple of his parenting books in her library. I honestly didn't realize that he was such a kook."

His? Her? Who?

[blondie58]

19. Me!! I'm talking about myself

yep, when my oldest was young, he was a very respected parenting source. And my oldest was one of those headstrong, difficult kids. I am almost embarrassed now to admit it.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

26. "Sting his daughter's legs with a switch" is one of the first things I hit on via The Google.

Hard to believe that he is/was ever considered a "very respected parenting source." Evidently, he also cured his 12-pound dachshund of its anarchistic nature by beating it with a belt. What a man!

Thanks for the explanation.

[blondie58]

27. gosh, I don't remember that he advocated spanking

that is horrible. What a great way to teach your child behavior- make them afraid of you- not! This was 20 years ago, though- and my daughter will be 21 next month. She has turned into a beautiful, independent young woman who is a free thinker. She also thinks that Bush is an idiot.

[shaniqua6392]

18. Just what we need.....

another actor. Politicians are pretty good actors as it is but we sure don't need a professional actor in the White House.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

23. I can think of a number of Dem actors I'd take in the White House...

as opposed to the corrupt Ivy League frat boy we have now.

[Poiuyt]

20. He was a politician, then an actor, then a politician, then an actor

Will he be a politician again?

[BuyingThyme]

21. Call him Vigo.

[Rick Myers]

22. The Senator from Die Hard 2 n/t

[jmowreader]

24. Forget the acting crap. This guy is a major player.

According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Dalton_Thompson...

* One divorce, so he's at least qualified to be a Republican--if you don't trade in your wife at LEAST once they won't let you stay in the party.

* Visiting Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute

* Holds BA in Political Science, JD from Vanderbilt University.

* Co-chief counsel to Senate Watergate Committee.

* Lobbied for 18 years. Represented Westinghouse, GE and the Tennessee Savings and Loan League.

* Registered Foreign Agent.

* Key player in S&L deregulation, which means he's a key precipitator of the ensuing S&L scandal.

* Current wife is also an attorney. She has worked for the Republican National Committee.

Do NOT make the fatal mistake of comparing Fred Thompson to Ronald Reagan. There are three major differences between them.

First, Reagan came to politics fairly late in life. Thompson started out as a politician--mostly a background guy but he has been an elected official--and started acting later on. Thompson gets hired to play government officials because it's what he knows.

Second difference: Reagan was a friendly face to the vicious bastards who actually ran the government while he was president. Thompson is both a friendly face and a vicious bastard.

Third and most trivial: I've seen Bedtime for Bonzo, guys; Thompson is a far better actor.

[Roland99]

25. "Visiting Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute" ... 'nuff said

This will ensure neocon access to the Pentagon, State Dept. etc.

The Beast will continue to be fed with neocon-made wars of aggression.