Fred Thompson

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This article is about the actor/politician. For the silent movie actor, see Fred Thomson.
Fred Dalton Thompson
United States Senator
from Tennessee
In office
December 2 1994 – January 3 2003
Served alongside: Jim Sasser, Bill Frist
Preceded byHarlan Mathews
Succeeded byLamar Alexander
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs
In office
January 7, 1997 – January 3, 2001
Preceded byTed Stevens
Succeeded byJoe Lieberman
In office
January 20, 2001 – June 6, 2001
Preceded byJoe Lieberman
Succeeded byJoe Lieberman
Personal details
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)(1) Sarah Elizabeth Lindsey (Knestrick), 1959–1985; divorced
(2) Jeri Kehn, 2002–Present
Alma materMemphis State University, Vanderbilt University
Professioncharacter actor, senator, lawyer, lobbyist, public speaker, radio personality

Fred Dalton Thompson (born Freddie Dalton Thompson[1] on August 19 1942) is an American politician, lawyer, lobbyist and character actor. He represented Tennessee as a Republican in the U.S. Senate from 1994 through 2002 and was a candidate for the 2008 Republican nomination for President of the United States until he withdrew from the race on January 22 2008.

Thompson served as chairman of the International Security Advisory Board at the United States Department of State, is a member of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and is a Visiting Fellow with the American Enterprise Institute, specializing in national security and intelligence.[2][3][4] He resides in McLean, Virginia, near Washington, D.C.[5]

As an actor, Thompson has performed in film and on television. He has frequently portrayed governmental figures.[6] In the final months of his U.S. Senate term in 2002, Thompson joined the cast of the long-running NBC television series Law & Order, playing New York City District Attorney Arthur Branch, until he asked to be released from his contract in May 2007. The network granted his request.[7]

Early life and education

Thompson was born in Sheffield, Alabama, the son of Ruth Inez (née Bradley, living in 2007 in Franklin, Tennessee) and Fletcher Session Thompson (Lauderdale County, Alabama, August 26, 1919 – Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, May 27, 1990), who was an automobile salesman/used car dealer.[8][9] He attended public school in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, graduating from Lawrence County High School. Thereafter, he worked days in the local post office and nights at a bicycle assembly plant.[10]

Thompson entered Florence State College, now the University of North Alabama, becoming the first member of his family to go to college.[11] He later transferred to Memphis State University, now the University of Memphis, where he earned a double-major in philosophy and political science in 1964, as well as scholarships to both Tulane and Vanderbilt law schools.[10] He went on to earn his J.D. degree from Vanderbilt in 1967.[11]

Career as an attorney

Thompson was admitted to the State Bar of Tennessee in 1967. At that time he shortened his first name from Freddie to Fred.[12] He worked as an assistant U.S. attorney from 1969 to 1972,[13] successfully prosecuting bank robberies and other cases.[10] Thompson was the campaign manager for Republican U.S. Senator Howard Baker's reelection campaign in 1972 and was minority counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee in its investigation of the Watergate scandal (1973–1974).

Throughout the 1980s Thompson worked primarily as an attorney, with law offices in Nashville and Washington, DC.[citation needed] Thompson handled personal injury claims and he defended individuals accused of white collar crimes.[14] He also accepted appointments as Special Counsel to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (1980–1981), Special Counsel to the Senate Intelligence Committee (1982), and Member of the Appellate Court Nominating Commission for the State of Tennessee (1985–1987).[10][11]

His clients included the German mining group and Japan's Toyota Motors Corporation.[15] Thompson has served on various corporate boards. He did legal work and served on the board of directors for engineering firm Stone & Webster.[16]

Role in Watergate hearings

Main article: Watergate scandal
From left to right: Fred Thompson (minority counsel), Howard Baker, and Sam Ervin of the Senate Watergate Committee in 1973.

In 1973, Thompson was appointed minority counsel for the Senate Watergate Committee, a special committee convened by the U.S. Senate to investigate the Watergate scandal.[17] Thompson is sometimes credited for supplying Republican Senator Howard Baker's famous question, "What did the President know, and when did he know it?"[18] This question is said to have helped frame the hearings in a way that eventually led to the downfall of President Richard Nixon.[19] The Senator, who had brought Thompson in as his chief counsel, remarked "I had high regard for him as a lawyer and as a friend."[20]

Even though the committee already knew the answer, Thompson asked about listening devices in the White House at a public committee hearing to former White House aide Alexander Butterfield, thereby revealing the existence of tape recordings of conversations within the White House.[17][15] National Public Radio later called that session and the discovery of the Watergate tapes "a turning point in the investigation."[20]

Thompson's appointment as minority counsel to the Senate Watergate committee reportedly upset Nixon who believed Thompson was not skilled enough to interrogate unfriendly witnesses and would be outfoxed by committee Democrats.[21] But according to historian Stanley Kutler, Thompson and Baker "carried water for the White House, but I have to give them credit — they were watching out for their interests, too... They weren't going to mindlessly go down the tubes [for Nixon]."[21]

Thompson later wrote a Watergate memoir entitled At That Point in Time: The Inside Story of the Senate Watergate Committee.[22] In his book, Thompson acknowledged he provided information to Nixon's lawyer, Fred Buzhardt, even though he lacked authority to act for the committee. Thompson "believed it would be in everyone's interest if the White House realized, before making any public statements, the probable position of both the majority and the minority of the Watergate committee" regarding the Watergate tapes.[21][23]

Corruption case against Tennessee governor

In 1977, Thompson represented Marie Ragghianti, a former Tennessee Parole Board chair, who had been fired for refusing to release felons after they had bribed aides to Democratic Governor Ray Blanton in order to obtain clemency.[24] With Thompson's assistance, Ragghianti filed a wrongful termination suit against Blanton's office. During the trial, Thompson helped to expose the cash-for-clemency scheme that eventually led to Blanton's removal from the Governor's office.[15] In July 1978, a jury awarded Ragghianti $38,000 in back pay and ordered her reinstatement.[24]

Lobbyist

Thompson lobbied Congress on behalf of the Tennessee Savings and Loan League to pass the St Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982, which deregulated the Savings and Loan industry.[15] A large congressional majority and President Ronald Reagan supported the act but it was said to be a factor that led to the savings and loan crisis.[25] Thompson received $1,600 for communicating with some congressional staffers on this issue.[26]

When Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was overthrown in 1991, Thompson made an independent telephone call to White House Chief of Staff John H. Sununu advocating restoration of Aristide's government.[27]

Billing records show that Thompson was paid for about twenty hours of work in 1991 and 1992 on behalf of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, a family planning group trying to ease a George H. W. Bush administration regulation on abortion counseling in federally-funded clinics.[28][29]

Thompson has earned about one million dollars from his lobbying efforts. Except for the year 1981, his lobbying never amounted to more than a third of his income.[26] According to the Commercial Appeal newspaper:

Fred Thompson earned about half a million dollars from Washington lobbying from 1975 through 1993....Lobbyist disclosure records show Thompson had six lobbying clients: Westinghouse, two cable television companies, the Tennessee Savings and Loan League, the Teamsters Union's Central States Pension Fund, and a Baltimore-based business coalition that lobbied for federal grants.[26]

After leaving the Senate in 2003, Thompson's only lobbying work was for the London-based reinsurance company Equitas Ltd. He was paid $760,000 between 2004 and 2006 in order to help prevent passage of legislation that Equitas said unfairly singled them out for unfavorable treatment regarding asbestos claims.[16] Thompson spokesman Mark Corrallo said that Thompson was proud to have been a lobbyist and believed in Equitas' cause.[30]

Two sons of Thompson followed their father into the lobbying business once he was elected senator,[31] but generally avoided clients where a possible conflict-of-interest might appear.[31] When Thompson left the Senate, some of his political action committee's fees went to the lobbying firm a Thompson son.[32]

Character actor

Marie Ragghianti's case became the subject of a book, Marie, written by Peter Maas and published in 1983. The film rights were purchased by director Roger Donaldson, who, after traveling to Nashville to speak with the people involved with the original case, asked Thompson if he wanted to play himself. The resulting film, Marie, was Thompson's first acting role and was released in 1985. Roger Donaldson then cast Thompson in the part of CIA Director in the 1987 film No Way Out.[33] Thompson would go on to appear in many films and television shows. A 1994 New York Times profile wrote "When Hollywood directors need someone who can personify governmental power, they often turn to [Thompson]."[6] He has portrayed a fictional president of the United States in Last Best Chance as well as two historical presidents: Ulysses S. Grant in Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (2007) and the voice of Andrew Jackson in Rachel and Andrew Jackson: A Love Story (both produced for TV).[34]

In the final months of his U.S. Senate term in 2002, Thompson joined the cast of the long-running NBC television series Law & Order, playing District Attorney Arthur Branch for the next five years. Thompson began filming during the August 2002 Senate recess.[10]

He has also made occasional appearances in the same role on other TV shows, such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and the pilot episode of Conviction. On May 30 2007, he asked to be released from the role, potentially in preparation for a presidential bid.[7] Due to concerns about the equal-time rule, reruns featuring Branch will not be shown on NBC, but TNT episodes will be unaffected.[35]

Senate (1994–2003)

Congressional portrait

Two campaigns for U.S. Senate

In 1994, Thompson was elected to finish the remaining two years of Al Gore's unexpired U.S. Senate term. During the 1994 campaign, Thompson's opponent was longtime Nashville Congressman Jim Cooper. Thompson campaigned in a red pickup truck, and Cooper charged Thompson "is a lobbyist and actor who talks about lower taxes, talks about change, while he drives a rented stage prop."[36] In a good year for Republican candidates,[37] Thompson defeated Cooper in a landslide upset victory, overcoming Cooper's early 20 percent margin in the polls to defeat Cooper by an even greater margin.[38] On the same night Thompson was elected to fill Gore's unexpired term, political newcomer Bill Frist, a Nashville heart surgeon, defeated three-term incumbent Democrat Jim Sasser, the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, for Tennessee's other U.S. Senate seat, which was up for a full six-year term. The twin victories by Thompson and Frist gave Republicans control of both of Tennessee's Senate seats for the first time since Sasser ousted incumbent Bill Brock in 1976.

In 1996, Thompson was re-elected (for the term ending January 3, 2003) with 61 percent of the vote, defeating Democratic attorney Houston Gordon of Covington, Tennessee, even as Bill Clinton narrowly carried the state by less than three percentage points on his way to re-election.[39] The GOP continues to hold the seat, as it was won by former Tennessee Governor and Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander in 2002.

Electoral history

Tennessee United States Senate Election, 1996
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Fred Thompson (Incumbent) 1,091,554 61.37 +0.93
Democratic Houston Gordon 654,937 36.82
Independent John Jay Hooker 14,401 0.81
Majority 436,617 24.55 +2.72
Republican hold Swing
Tennessee United States Senate Election, 1994 (Special)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Fred Thompson 885,998 60.44
Democratic Jim Cooper 565,930 38.61
Majority 320,068 21.83 -16.07
Republican gain from Democratic Swing

Senate career

Senator Thompson meeting with U.S. soldiers in South Korea.

In 1996, Thompson was a member of the Committee on Governmental Affairs when the committee investigated the alleged Chinese attempts to influence American politics. Thompson says he was "largely stymied" during these investigations by witnesses declining to testify; claiming the right not to incriminate themselves or by simply leaving the country.[40] Thompson explained, "Our work was affected tremendously by the fact that Congress is a much more partisan institution than it used to be."[41]

Thompson became committee chairman in 1997 but was reduced to ranking minority member when the Democrats took control of the Senate in 2001.[42] Thompson served on the Finance Committee (dealing with health care, trade, Social Security, and taxation) the Intelligence Committee, and the National Security Working Group.[43]

Thompson's work included investigation of the "Umm Hajul controversy" which involved the death of Tennessean Lance Fielder during the Gulf War. During his term he supported campaign finance reform, opposed proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and promoted government efficiency and accountability.[10] During the 1996 presidential debates, he also served as a Clinton stand-in to help prepare Bob Dole.[10]

On February 12 1999, the Senate voted on the Clinton impeachment. The perjury charge was defeated with 45 votes for conviction, and 55 including Thompson against. The obstruction of justice charge was defeated with 50 including Thompson for conviction, and 50 against. Conviction on impeachment charges requires the affirmative votes of 67 senators.

Campaign co-chairman for John McCain

In the 2000 Republican presidential primaries, Thompson initially backed former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander, who eventually succeeded Thompson in the Senate two years later. When Alexander dropped out of the presidential race, Thompson endorsed Senator John McCain's bid and became his national co-chairman.[44] Both McCain and Thompson were contenders to be George W. Bush's running mate in 2000.[45][46]

Thompson was not a candidate for re-election in 2002. He had publicly stated his unwillingness to have the Senate become a long-term career. Although he announced in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks his intention to seek re-election ("Now is not the time for me to leave," said Thompson at the time), upon further reflection he decided against it.[33] The decision seems to have been prompted in large part by the death of his daughter.[40][47]

Ratings

Senator Thompson meeting with Girl Scouts.

Thompson has an 86.1 percent lifetime (1995–2002) American Conservative Union vote rating, compared to 89.3 for Bill Frist and 82.3 for John McCain.[48][49] Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) characterized her colleague this way: "I believe that Fred is a fearless senator. By that I mean he was never afraid to cast a vote or take a stand, regardless of the political consequences."[50] Thompson was "on the short end of a couple of 99-1 votes," voting against those who wanted to federalize matters that he believed were properly left to state and local officials.[51]

With Thompson's decision to campaign for the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination, his Senate record has received some criticism from people who say he was "lazy" compared to other Senators.[52] Critics say that few of his proposals became law, and point to a 1998 quote: "I don't like spending 14- and 16-hour days voting on 'sense of the Senate' resolutions on irrelevant matters. There are some important things we really need to get on with—and on a daily basis, it's very frustrating." Defenders say he spent more time in preparation than other Senators. Paul Noe, a former staffer, told the New York Times, "On the lazy charge, I have to chuckle because I was there sometimes until 1 in the morning working with the man."[53]

Post-Senate activities

Political work

In March 2003, Thompson was featured in a commercial by the conservative non-profit group Citizens United that advocated the invasion of Iraq, stating: "When people ask what has Saddam done to us, I ask, what had the 9/11 hijackers done to us -- before 9/11."[54]

Thompson did voice-over work at the 2004 Republican National Convention.[55] While narrating a video for that convention, Thompson observed: "History throws you what it throws you, and you never know what’s coming."[56]

After the retirement of Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor in 2005, Bush appointed him to an informal position to help guide the nomination of John Roberts through the United States Senate confirmation process.[57] Roberts was subsequently confirmed as Chief Justice.

Until July 2007, Thompson was Chair of the International Security Advisory Board, a bipartisan advisory panel that reports to the Secretary of State and focuses on emerging strategic threats.[58] In that capacity, he advised the State Department about all aspects of arms control, disarmament, international security, and related aspects of public diplomacy.[59]

Legal defense for Lewis Libby

Main article: Lewis Libby

In 2006, he served on the advisory board of the legal defense fund for I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Jr, who was indicted and later convicted of lying to federal investigators during their investigation of the Plame affair.[60][61] Thompson, who had never met Libby before volunteering for the advisory board, said he was convinced Libby was innocent.[33] The Scooter Libby Legal Defense Fund Trust set out to raise more than $5 million to help finance the legal defense of Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff.[62] Thompson hosted a fundraiser for the Libby defense fund at his home in McLean, Virginia.[63] After Bush commuted Libby's sentence,[64] Thompson released a statement: "I am very happy for Scooter Libby. I know that this is a great relief to him, his wife and children. This will allow a good American, who has done a lot for his country, to resume his life."[65]

Radio analyst

In 2006, he signed on with ABC News Radio to serve as senior analyst and vacation replacement for Paul Harvey.[66] He used that platform to spell out his positions on a number of political issues. A July 3, 2007 update to Thompson's ABC News Radio home page referred to him as a "former ABC News Radio contributor", indicating that Thompson has been released from his contract with the broadcaster.[67] He did not return after his campaign ended.

Campaign for United States President, 2008 election

Main article: Fred Thompson presidential campaign, 2008
Thompson and his campaign bus in Iowa, 2007

On March 11 2007, Thompson appeared on Fox News Sunday to discuss the possibility of a 2008 candidacy for president. At the end of March, Thompson asked to be released from his television contract, potentially in preparation for a presidential bid.[7] Thompson formed a presidential exploratory committee regarding his possible 2008 campaign for president on June 1, 2007,[68] but unlike most candidate exploratory groups, Thompson's exploratory committee organized as a 527 group.[69]

For the next three months, Thompson continued to be mentioned as a potential candidate, but never officially declared his candidacy. On June 12, Thompson told Jay Leno on The Tonight Show that while he did not crave the Presidency itself, but there were things he would like to do that he could only do by holding that office.[70] A New York Times article cited Thompson's aides as saying on July 18 that he planned to enter the race just after Labor Day (the first Monday in September), followed by a national announcement tour.[71]

On September 5, 2007, Thompson made his candidacy official, announcing on The Tonight Show that "I'm running for president of the United States" and running an ad during a Republican Presidential candidates debate on Fox News.[72] In both cases he pointed people to his campaign website to watch a 15-minute video detailing his platform. His campaign entrance was described as "lackluster"[73] and "awkward"[74] despite high expectations in anticipation of his joining the race.[75]

In recent nationwide polling, Thompson's support in the Republican primary election was sliding, with his placing either third or fourth in polls.[76][77] Starting with the South Carolina primary, however, he was more aggressively challenging his rivals.[78]

On January 22, 2008, Thompson confirmed he had withdrawn from the Presidential race.[79] In a statement issued by his campaign, Thompson said:

"Today I have withdrawn my candidacy for President of the United States. I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort. Jeri and I will always be grateful for the encouragement and friendship of so many wonderful people."

Political positions

Main article: Political positions of Fred Thompson
At Iowa State Fair on August 17 2007.

Thompson has said that federalism is his "lodestar," providing "a basis for a proper analysis of most issues: 'Is this something government should be doing? If so, at what level of government?'"[51] Thompson states "Roe v. Wade was bad law and bad medical science," and that judges shouldn't be determining social policy.[80]

Thompson does not support a federal ban on gay marriage, but would support a constitutional amendment to keep one state's recognition of such marriages from imposing gay marriage on all states.[81]

Thompson says citizens are entitled to keep and bear arms if they do not have criminal records[82] and the Gun Owners of America says that he voted pro-gun in 20 of 33 gun-related votes during his time in the Senate.[83]

Thompson says U.S. borders need to be secured before considering comprehensive immigration reform,[84] but he also supports a path to citizenship for illegal aliens saying “You’re going to have to, in some way, work out a deal where they can have some aspirations of citizenship, but not make it so easy that it’s unfair to the people waiting in line and abiding by the law.”[85] Thompson supported the U.S. 2003 invasion of Iraq and is opposed to withdrawing troops,[86] but believes "mistakes have been made" since the invasion.[87]

Thompson has stated the government should not criminally prosecute women who undergo early term abortions.[88][89]

Thompson initially supported McCain-Feingold campaign finance legislation but now says certain parts should be repealed.[90]

Thompson is skeptical human efforts cause global warming and has pointed to parallel warming on several planets such as Mars.[91]

Personal life

Marriages and children

Fred and Jeri Thompson with children in September 2007

In September 1959, at the age of 17, Thompson married Sarah Elizabeth Lindsey.[92] Their son, Freddie Dalton "Tony" Thompson Jr.,[1] was born in April 1960.[93] Another son and a daughter were born soon thereafter. While Thompson was attending law school, both he and his wife worked to pay for his education and support their three children.[15]

The couple divorced in 1985. They have two surviving children,[94] as well as five grandchildren. Thompson's daughter Elizabeth "Betsy" Thompson Panici died from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs on January 30, 2002.[40][47]

Prior to his second marriage, Thompson had been romantically linked to country singer Lorrie Morgan, Republican fundraiser Georgette Mosbacher and columnist Margaret Carlson.[95] In July 1996, Thompson began dating Jeri Kehn (b. 1966) and the two married almost six years later on June 29 2002.[96] When Thompson was asked in a December 2007 Associated Press survey of the candidates to name his favorite possession, he humorously replied "trophy wife".[97] The couple have two children, a daughter and a son.[98][99][100]

Cancer

Thompson has non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), a form of cancer. "I have had no illness from it, or even any symptoms. My life expectancy should not be affected. I am in remission, and it is very treatable with drugs if treatment is needed in the future — and with no debilitating side effects," Thompson said.[101] Like many patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Thompson received treatment with Rituxan.[102] Thompson's cancer, though currently incurable, is reportedly indolent, the lowest of three grades of NHL.[101] The cancer is nodal marginal zone lymphoma, a rare form of NHL, that accounts for only one to three percent of all cases of NHL.[103] Two other potential Republican presidential nominees have also had cancer: John McCain and Rudy Giuliani.

Religion

Thompson is a member of the Churches of Christ. According to Thompson, his values come from "sitting around the kitchen table" with his parents, and from the Church of Christ. While talking to reporters in South Carolina, Thompson said, "I attend church when I'm in Tennessee. I'm [living] in McLean right now. I don't attend regularly when I'm up there."[104] He does not plan to speak about his religion during his campaign saying, "Me getting up and talking about what a wonderful person I am and that sort of thing, I'm not comfortable with that, and I don't think it does me any good."[104]

Filmography

Movies

TV series

References

  1. ^ a b Humphrey, Tom (2007-09-07). "Fred, Freddie — he's still F.D. Thompson: New details emerge on personal life of newly announced candidate". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved 2007-09-08.
  2. ^ American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, Scholars & Fellows.
  3. ^ Thompson, Fred. "Modern Political Archives: Fred Thompson Papers, 1993–2002". University of Tennessee. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
  4. ^ U.S. Department of State, [1]
  5. ^ "Profile: Fred Thompson", BBC News (2007-09-03).
  6. ^ a b Bragg, Rick (November 12, 1994). "Grits and Glitter Campaign Helps Actor Who Played a Senator Become One". The New York Times. pp. Sec. 1, p. 10. Retrieved 2007-04-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ a b c Associated Press and Cameron, Carl. "Fred Thompson Quits 'Law & Order,' Moves Closer to 2008 White House Bid", Fox News (2007-05-31).
  8. ^ Fred Dalton Thompson Biography (1942-) via filmreference.com.
  9. ^ Reitwiesner, William Addams. "Ancestry of Fred Thompson". self-published, non-authoritative. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Lawrimore, Erin. "Biography/History", University of Tennessee Special Collections Library (2005).
  11. ^ a b c "About Fred", via imwithfred.com (Official Site). Retrieved (2007-07-13).
  12. ^ Malcolm, Andrew (6 September, 2007). "Shocking truth about Fred Thompson revealed!". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2007-09-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ Fred Thompson Hometown Biography, Lawrenceburg Tennessee
  14. ^ Vogel, Kenneth. "Rivals Take Aim At Thompson", CBS News (2007-06-12). Retrieved 2007-07-08.
  15. ^ a b c d e Cottle, Michelle (1 December, 1996). "Another Beltway Bubba?". Washington Monthly. Retrieved 2007-04-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ a b Dilanian, Ken. Past as lobbyist may play into future as candidate, USA Today (2007-06-06).
  17. ^ a b "Thompson cooperated with White House during Watergate". Associated Press. 8 March, 2007. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help) Cite error: The named reference "thompsoncooperates" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  18. ^ Joan Lowy (2007-07-07). "Fred Thompson aided Nixon on Watergate". Associated Press. Retrieved 2007-12-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ Cameron, Carl (8 March, 2007). "National TV Star, Former Republican Senator Fred Thompson Mulls '08 Presidential Bid". FoxNews. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ a b "Thompson's Watergate Role Not as Advertised" by Peter Obervy. National Public Radio. Published November 5, 2007
  21. ^ a b c Lowy, Joan. "Fred Thompson Aided Nixon on Watergate," Associated Press (2007-07-07).
  22. ^ Thompson, Fred D. (1975). At That Point in Time: The Inside Story of the Senate Watergate Committee. New York: Quadrangle/New York Times. ISBN 0812905369.
  23. ^ Scott Armstrong, a Democratic investigator for the Senate Watergate Committee, is critical of Thompson for having disclosed the committee's knowledge of the tapes to Buzhardt during an on-going investigation, and says Thompson was "a mole for the White House" and that Thompson's actions gave the White House a chance to destroy the tapes. See Kranish, Michael (July 4, 2007). "Not all would put a heroic sheen on Thompson's Watergate role". The Boston Globe. pp. Sec. 1, p. 10. Retrieved 2007-07-08. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help) and "Fred Thompson Aided Nixon on Watergate". Forbes. July 4, 2007. pp. Sec. 1, p. 10. Retrieved 2007-07-08. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help) Thompson's 1975 At That Point in Time in turn accused Armstrong of having been too close to The Washington Post's Bob Woodward and leaking committee information to him. In response to renewed interest in this matter in 2007 in the context of his presidential campaign, Thompson said, "I'm glad all of this has finally caused someone to read my Watergate book, even though it's taken them over 30 years." See Kranish, Michael (July 4, 2007). "Not all would put a heroic sheen on Thompson's Watergate role". The Boston Globe. pp. Sec. 1, p. 10. Retrieved 2007-07-08. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ a b The Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture: Leonard Ray Blanton, 1930–1996. Retrieved 2007-07-31.
  25. ^ Leibold, Arthur. "Some Hope for the Future After a Failed National Policy for Thrifts" in Barth, James et al. The Savings and Loan Crisis: Lessons from a Regulatory Failure, pages 58–59 (2004). Leibold cites Strunk and Case, Where Regulation Went Wrong: A Look at the Causes Behind Savings and Loan Failures in the 1980s, pages 14–16 (1988).
  26. ^ a b c Locker, Richard. "Thompson tells why lobbyist pay rose with GOP-led Senate", Commercial Appeal (1994-11-05).
  27. ^ Vogel, Kenneth. "'Law & Order' And Lobbying", The Politico (2007-04-02).
  28. ^ "Thompson lobbied for family planning". San Francisco Chronicle. July 19, 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  29. ^ The records show he spent much of that time in telephone conferences with the president of the group. He also lobbied administration officials on its behalf three times for a total of about three hours, but it is unclear who in the administration Thompson spoke with or when. When the work became controversial in 2007 in light of Thompson's anti-abortion stance and 2008 presidential campaign, a Thompson spokesperson said, "The [lobbying] firm consulted with Fred Thompson. It is not unusual for a lawyer to give counsel at the request of colleagues, even when they personally disagree with the issue." See Jo Becker, Records Show Ex-Senator’s Work for Family Planning Unit, The New York Times, (2007-07-19). Retrieved 2007-12-22.
  30. ^ Birnbaum, Jeffrey. "Thompson Will Take On Outsider Role After Playing Access Man", Washington Post, June 12, 2007
  31. ^ a b David D. Kirkpatrick (2007-07-02). "As Senator Rose, Lobbying Became Family Affair". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-12-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ^ Mullins, Brody. "Thompson PAC Benefits Son More Than Republicans," Wall Street Journal (2007-04-21).
  33. ^ a b c Hayes, Stephen F. (April 23, 2007). "From the Courthouse to the White House". Weekly Standard. Retrieved 2007-05-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ Keel, Beverly. "On screen, Thompson projects power, wisdom", The Tennessean (2007-05-08).
  35. ^ "TNT won't pull reruns starring Thompson", Seattle Times (2007-09-01).
  36. ^ Powers, William. "The Politician's Pickup Lines", Washington Post (1994-10-21). There is some question about whether Thompson actually did the driving. According to Kevin Drum of the Washington Monthly, "Thompson didn't even deign to drive the thing himself." Drum, Kevin. "Fred Thompson's Red Pick-up Truck", Washington Monthly (2007-05-07). Retrieved 2007-06-18. Media reports in May and June 2007 said that Thompson still has the truck, which is "parked behind Thompson's mother's home outside Nashville." Chipman, Kim. "Thompson's Backers Check His `Fire in the Belly' for 2008 Race", Bloomberg (2007-06-28). According to Newsweek, "The paint is peeling and its U.S. Senate license plates expired back in 2002." Bailey, Holly. "The Sign of the Red Truck", Newsweek (2007-05-28). Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  37. ^ Traub, James. "Party Like It's 1994", New York Times Magazine (2006-03-12): "The Republicans shocked political professionals, including President Bill Clinton, by gaining 52 seats in the House, giving them a majority there for the first time in 40 years. (They picked up eight seats in the Senate to wrest control there as well.)"
  38. ^ Heilemann, John. "The Shadow Candidates". New York Magazine. Retrieved 2007-06-18. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  39. ^ "United States of America Presidential Elections of 1996, Electoral College Vote by States", Psephos, Adam Carr's Election Archive.
  40. ^ a b c Fund, John (17 March, 2007). "Lights, Camera ... Candidacy?". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2007-04-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  41. ^ Thompson, Fred. "Additional Views of Chairman Fred Thompson, Investigation of Illegal or Improper Activities in Connection With 1996 Federal Election Campaigns, Final Report of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, Senate Report 105-167 - 105th Congress 2d Session" (1998-03-10).
  42. ^ Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, History of Committee Chairmen. Retrieved (2007-07-13).
  43. ^ Sen. Thompson's Official Senate Web Site (via Archive.org).
  44. ^ Neal, Terry M. (18 August, 1999). "McCain Re-Emerges; Receives Thompson Endorsement". Washington Post. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  45. ^ "Bush: 'The days of speculation are over'", USA Today (2000-07-22).
  46. ^ Zuckerbrod, Nancy."Thompson eyed for vice presidential role", via oakridger.com 2000-07-03). Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  47. ^ a b Halperin, Mark (May 24, 2007). "A New Role for Fred Thompson". Time. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help) Cite error: The named reference "TIME070524" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  48. ^ "How conservative is Fred Thompson?", Washington Times Editorial (2007-06-23).
  49. ^ Profile at Project Vote Smart (including bio, positions, finances, interest group ratings, votes, and statements).
  50. ^ Theobald, Bill."In D.C., tenacious Thompson defied prediction: Reliable conservative had fierce independent streak", The Tennessean (2007-07-08).
  51. ^ a b Thompson, Fred. "Federalism 'n' Me", AEI (2007-04-23). Retrieved 2007-05-13.
  52. ^ ""Thompson and the 'Laziness' Issue"" Newsweek (2007-09-29)
  53. ^ ""G.O.P. Hopeful Took Own Path in the Senate"" The New York Times (2007-09-29)
  54. ^ "Interview with Mike Boos of Citizens United". CNN. March 1, 2003. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  55. ^ Goldsmith, Brian. "Beware The 'Convention Candidates'", CBS News (2007-04-20).
  56. ^ Thompson, Fred. "The Pitch", via YouTube. Retrieved (2007-07-13).
  57. ^ Lee, Christopher (September 9, 2005). "Hill Veterans Light the Way for Nominee". Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-07-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  58. ^ International Security Advisory Board, Former Members, State Department web site.
  59. ^ International Security Advisory Board, State Department web site.
  60. ^ Shane, Scott (February 9, 2007). "Media Censors for the Jury Let a Style Item Get Through". The New York Times. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  61. ^ Bohn, Kevin (February 9, 2007). "Libby trial provides a rare look inside the grand jury". CNN. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  62. ^ Loller, Travis. "Looking at Thompson's Lobbying Past", ABC News (2007-06-25).
  63. ^ Copeland, Libby and Montgomery, David. "Scooter Libby's Pals, Trusting In Providence", Washington Post (2007-07-03).
  64. ^ George W. Bush, "Statement by the President", The White House, 2 July, 2007, accessed 2 July, 2007.
  65. ^ "Political Leaders Express Outrage, Support for 'Scooter' Libby's Commuted Sentence". Fox News. July 3, 2007]]. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  66. ^ Miller, Korin. Names and Faces, The Washington Post (2006-02-25).
  67. ^ The Fred Thompson Report, ABC Radio Networks.
  68. ^ "Fred Thompson to Speak in Richmond". WHSV TV. 2007-06-01. Retrieved 2007-06-03.
  69. ^ Horrigan, Marie (2007-07-31). "Fred Thompson's Long 'Exploration' Raises Money — and Confusion". Congressional Quarterly. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  70. ^ "Thompson Tells Leno He Would Like to Be President". Fox News. 2007-06-07. Retrieved 2007-06-28.
  71. ^ Nagourney, Adam. "Candidates Shift as G.O.P. Field Alters", NY Times (2007-07-19).
  72. ^ Steve McGookin (2007-09-05). "Thompson Finally Steps Onstage". Forbes. Brief excerpts from the Tonight Show appearance are available from NBC. The full Tonight Show transcript is here.
  73. ^ Bill Schneider (2007-10-16). "Poll: As Thompson's star fades, Clinton's on the rise". CNN. Retrieved 2007-10-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  74. ^ Jill Zuckman (2007-10-10). "Thompson debuts as GOP candidates clash". Chicago Tribune. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  75. ^ Robert D. Novak (2007-05-07). "Let down by Fred Thompson". Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-10-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  76. ^ "November 30, 2007 - Presidential Preferences". American Research Group. 2007-11-30. Retrieved 2007-12-02.
  77. ^ "Daily Presidential Tracking Polling History". Rasmussen Reports. 2007-12-02. Retrieved 2007-12-02.
  78. ^ Thompson toughens tactics on the campaign trail - CNN.com
  79. ^ "CNN Political Ticker: Thompson drops out of GOP Presidential Race". CNN. 2008-01-22. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  80. ^ "Transcript: Former Sen. Fred Thompson on 'FOX News Sunday'". 2007-03-11. Retrieved 2007-06-17.
  81. ^ "Thompson: Roe bad law and bad medicine". CNN. August 17, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
    "Nix That". The Corner. August 17, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  82. ^ Thompson, Fred. "Armed with the Truth", ABC Radio, May 10, 2007. Accessed May 13, 2007.
  83. ^ Craig Fields. "Presidential Candidates And The Second Amendment". Gun Owners of America.
  84. ^ Thompson, Fred. "Prepared Remarks for Speech to Lincoln Club Annual Dinner", ABC Radio, May 4, 2007. Accessed May 13, 2007.
  85. ^ YouTube - Fred on the issues
  86. ^ "Thompson: U.S. must rebuild military". 2007-08-21. Retrieved 2007-07-02.
  87. ^ "Former Sen. Fred Thompson on 'FOX News Sunday'". 2007-03-11. Retrieved 2007-07-02.
  88. ^ "Exclusive! Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson on Possible White House Bid", Fox News Interview (2007-06-05).
  89. ^ Bailey, Holly. "Away From the Cameras," Newsweek (2007-06-25).
  90. ^ Sean Hannity interview of Fred Thompson, Fox News, June 6, 2007. Accessed June 9, 2007.
  91. ^ Thompson, Fred. "Plutonic Warming", AEI, March 22, 2007. Accessed May 13, 2007.
  92. ^ Mathews, Joe ((2007-09-06)). "Thompson wed his ambition". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2007-09-07. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help): "In the summer of 1959....Lindsey told Thompson she was pregnant. He responded, friends say, by asking her to marry him.... Freddie and Sarah exchanged vows in a Methodist church during the second week of his senior year. Seven months later, in April 1960, 17-year-old Thompson had a son."
  93. ^ "Fred Thompson chronology". The Tennessean. May 6, 2007. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  94. ^ Kirkpatrick, David (July 2, 2007). "As Senator Rose, Lobbying Became Family Affair". New York Times. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  95. ^ Baxter, Sarah. "Old Girlfriends Cast Their Vote for Thompson", Times Online (2007-06-24).
  96. ^ Grove, Lloyd (July 2, 2002). "Reliable Sources". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-11-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  97. ^ Marc Santora (2007-12-15). "A Little Thompson Humor". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-12-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  98. ^ David Brody (April 24 2007). "Fred Thompson's Secret Weapon". CBNnews. Retrieved 2007-11-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  99. ^ Michelle Cottle (2007-10-22). "Jeri Rigged". The New Republic. Retrieved 2007-11-21. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  100. ^ Mackenzie Carpenter (2007-08-12). "Married to ambition: Not your father's potential first spouse". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2007-11-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  101. ^ a b "Former Senator Fred Thompson in Remission for Lymphoma". Fox News. April 11 2007. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  102. ^ Associated Press (May 15, 2007). "Fred Thompson discloses past cancer diagnosis". L.A. Times. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  103. ^ Bloom, Mark. "Fred Thompson, GOP Potential Candidate, Had Rare NHL," MedPage Today (2007-04-11).
  104. ^ a b Kim Chipman, "Thompson Says He's No Churchgoer, Won't Tout Religion on Stump", Bloomberg (2007-09-11).

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Preceded by U.S. senator (Class 2) from Tennessee
1994 – 2003
Served alongside: Jim Sasser, Bill Frist 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chairman of Senate Governmental Affairs Committee
1997 – 2001 		Succeeded by

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