Tale of Two Thompsons

Thompson Lacks Zeal, Charge Conservatives

New York Times  |  Sep 30, 07 7:25 PM CDT

(Newser) - Fred Thompson was supposed to be the conservative movement’s savior in the presidential campaign. But now, less than a month after entering the race, many on the right question his devotion to their causes and passion for politics, the New York Times reports. His record in the Senate reflects a tendency to break with the Republican pack and a lawyer's detachment from ideology. More »

Thompson Losing Evangelicals

Politico  |  Sep 27, 07 12:31 PM CDT

(Newser) - Fred Thompson, once the longed-for alternative to a field of uninspiring GOP candidates, didn't get through his campaign's first official month before the religious right started jumping ship, Politico reports. Thompson's refusal to back a gay marriage ban, past lobbying for an abortion-rights group, and refusal to talk religion has conservatives scrambling to find a different candidate to stop frontrunner Rudy Giuliani's nomination. More »

GOP Straw Poll Finishes Tommy Thompson

CNN  |  Aug 13, 07 12:50 AM CDT

(Newser) - Longshot presidential candidate Tommy Thompson announced yesterday he's dropping out of the race after finishing sixth in Iowa's Republican straw poll. The former Wisconsin governor set a goal for himself of coming in first or second, but he couldn't even beat Libertarian loose cannon Ron Paul. "There's no sense in looking back," he said. More »

GOP Voters Undecided, Unhappy

Associated Press  |  Jul 17, 07 4:38 PM CDT

(Newser) - Rudy Giuliani has the support of 21% of Republicans in a new poll—down from 27% in June, which is bad enough, and second to the most popular option: none of the above. John McCain stands fourth, a notch below undeclared candidate Fred Thompson, in the most recent AP-Ipsos poll, out today, and Hillary Clinton continues to dominate the Democrats. More »

Will Trophy Wife Cost Fred?

New York Times  |  Jul 8, 07 9:51 AM CDT

(Newser) - May-December romances are standard in Hollywood—just ask Jack Nicholson—but Fred Thompson's sexy, stylish, 25-years-younger wife, Jeri, has the Beltway all abuzz.   Commentators are wondering aloud whether a “trophy” wife—even one who’s a former GOP spokeperson—will  prove a liability for the almost-declared candidate. More »

Thompson Disavows Pro-Choice Lobbying

Los Angeles Times  |  Jul 7, 07 10:52 AM CDT

(Newser) - The Fred Thompson camp vehemently denied a claim today by an abortion-rights advocacy group that he worked as a lobbyist for them in 1991, the Los Angeles Times reports. The  group claims Thompson contacted White House officials as part of an attempt to ease restrictions on abortion counseling at federally funded clinics.  More »

Senate Post Won Thompson Sons Top Lobby Job$

New York Times  |  Jul 2, 07 5:22 AM CDT

(Newser) - Fred Thompson's two sons won lucrative jobs as lobbyists after their father became a Senator, despite having next to no qualifications for the work, the New York Times reports. The information could prove embarrassing to the Thompson campaign as the GOP presidential candidate strives to present himself as a reformer challenging Washington politics-as-usual. More »

GOP Weighs Hollywood Ending for Cheney

Washington Post  |  Jun 26, 07 9:35 AM CDT

(Newser) - GOP decision-makers are so fed up with Dick Cheney that they've been searching for a replacement, without much success—until recently. In an op-ed in today's Washington Post, inveterate insider Sally Quinn lays out an ingenious plan: Use heart surgery scheduled for this summer as an excuse to oust the VP, and install Fred Thompson in his place. More »

Poll Puts Hillary Back in Lead by Double Digits

USA Today  |  Jun 18, 07 8:54 AM CDT

(Newser) - They were in a dead heat two weeks ago, but a new USA TODAY/Gallup poll out today puts Hillary back in front for the Dem nomination with a double-digit spread over Barack. The red team is also shaking up, with not-quite-official candidate Fred Thompson stealing second standing from John McCain. More »

Thompson Gains on Giuliani