Fred Thompson officially declares candidacy (MORE: GOP DEBATE LIVEBLOGGING LINKS POSTED)

Fred! He made it official tonight during the taping of the The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

I’ve been lukewarm to a Fred candidacy, because it almost seems like he’s had to be dragged into running, and his star has somewhat lost its luster, in part, because of the back and forth drama over “will he or won’t he” in the run up to his official candidacy.

His record has been closely examined, and in the eyes of some conservatives, the question is: Is Fred the real deal, or is he just someone who can momentarily take our minds off of the depressing campaigns of Mitt and Rudy?

What do you think?

Update: In related Election ’08 news, Michelle Malkin liveblogged tonight’s GOP debate, which was held in Durham, NH.

The NYT’s liveblogging of the debate can be read here, in case you want to see their spin on it.

Captain Ed has a debate wrap-up, as does Chris Cillizza at WaPo’s “The Fix” blog.

And last but not least, here’s the transcript.

I’m sure there will be videos galore posted at YouTube tonight and tomorrow on Fred’s announcement once it airs – I’ll link to one in the morning.

Thur AM Update: Ian Schwartz has the video of Fred announcing on Leno last night. Stop The ACLU has video of the announcement on Fred’s website.

17 Responses to "Fred Thompson officially declares candidacy (MORE: GOP DEBATE LIVEBLOGGING LINKS POSTED)"

stackja says:

September 5, 2007 at 10:52 pm

ST I heard then Senator T in a radio interview and thought, he would make a fine president. I have followed his movie career as FT played FT in various roles. If what I have seen and heard is real, and I have no reasons to believe otherwise. Let the campaign begin. Maybe RG and MR may have more experience as executives but since he was born in Alabama and he represented his home state of Tennessee, maybe VP to RG or MR?
Baklava says:

September 6, 2007 at 12:59 am

I will NOT partake in speaking ill of Republican candidates except for those who really deserve to lose like Ron Paul.

If any of the following win the nomination I will vote for them over Hillary or Obama in a heartbeat:
Fred Thompson, Guliani, Romney, Huckabee, John McCain, etc.

They all have ideas and solutions that weigh in the positive as opposed to the Democrats ideas which will tear this country apart and bring us down economically due to their lack of understanding of economics 101.
Baklava says:

September 6, 2007 at 1:15 am

Watch Fred’s video. I like it. We need him.

If not him – any one of the guys above.
Baklava says:

September 6, 2007 at 1:31 am

Why have I liked Fred?

Because I’ve remembered watching him on the floor of the Senate in the early 90’s. He was and is presidential. His views are full of common sense. He is bright and articulate. He is a rock solid guy with charm.

As I work in government and have seen what it takes to get projects off the ground. I do not fault Fred for taking awhile to get his candidacy going. The pieces take time to put in place. My critique on Fred (as the others) will be focused on their stature and ideas and solutions that they call for.
Karl says:

September 6, 2007 at 3:19 am

I agree. Fred aproaches politics with a clear common sense attitude that is very appealing.

He may never qualify as the perfect conservative, but he carries some great values, a fresh approach to federalism and an out of the box approach that will win the day over the bizness as usual democrats, should he get the nomination.
camojack says:

September 6, 2007 at 3:51 am

I’m with Fred!!!
Drewsmom says:

September 6, 2007 at 6:35 am

Last night proved Fred is my man even though he has been sliced and diced for not going to the debate.
ron paul is an idiot and rudy didn’t address the questions Fox asked. I’d vote for one of em if they get it to keep my country safer but I hope Fred will do well from now on.
benning says:

September 6, 2007 at 7:26 am

I liked what he had to say. I liked that he was saying it n front of a Hollywood audience. ‘Bout time, Fred!
Great White Rat says:

September 6, 2007 at 8:05 am

Fred’s not the perfect candidate – I have differences with him over his support for McCain-Feingold and his opposition to tort reform – but I’d still vote for him in the general election over any of the Dems running. In the primary? We’ll have to see.

I’m totally in agreement with Bak and Drewsmom about the rest of the field. Except for Ron Paul, they’re all rock-solid on the biggest problem we face, confronting terrorism.

And that approach, which I think most of the regulars here share, is another thing that sets us apart from the immature Kossacks and MorOn.org types who demand complete adherence to every one of what passes for ideas among them.
Baklava says:

September 6, 2007 at 8:27 am

Right on GWR. We’re “adults”.
sanity says:

September 6, 2007 at 9:35 am

Fred still is more appealing to me than those that have been running.

The biggest issue most seem to have with him is the back and forth of when he will run or if he will run. Well, that issue has been resolved – he is running.

That then begs another question, does when a candidate for president enters the race become more of an issue than what he stands for?

Also, it was my understanding that the rest of the candidates were jumping into the race EARLY, more so than in the past, and it wasn’t that Fred was late, more than the other candidates were jumping the gun.

Perhaps his was a smart move, while the constant campaigning of the other candidate will wear thin on the American Citizens, Fred entering will seem like a breath of fresh air, like someone opening a window in a room full of stale, hot air. Which might cause more interest in hearing what Fred has to say – since we have been hearing what the other candidates have been saying over and over again.

I have more interest in Fred than I do the other candidates, the others just strike me as saying or doing what they feel the voters want to hear…while Fred seems more at ease, well spoken (not tripping over words, ummm-ing and ahhh-ing), and he seems ot understand thinsg are different than it was before, both in the world and in politics. There is a new age of technology and he is using it to his advantage – while his competitors seem to scoff at this – I can bet more people tuned into Leno to watch him than they did for the GOP debate.

You go where you reach the most viewers (voters). I think that was a smart move for him.
TedintheShed says:

September 6, 2007 at 9:49 am

IMO, there are two predominant issues in our lifetime: The Global War on Terror and our border security. The second is intracately linked with the first, but seems to be needed seperated in most voter’s minds. I will vote on the person who best represents me on these issues I think. With that said- I see no strong over-all candidates. Noite, I am not a registered Republican, so I have no vote in the primaries.

Romney scares the crap out of me, with his universal healthcare history.

Rudy scares the hell out of me with his law firm representing the NAFTA highway and open borders.

McCain scares the crap ot of me because of his open border policy, McCain-Feingold and his previous candidacy bein supported by Soros. Hs age is also a big negative.

I just don’t know Fred well enough…yet.
Ryan says:

September 6, 2007 at 1:03 pm

And in the end, basically all candidates mentioned in this thread are waaaaaaaaaaaay better than any of the Democrats running.
hnav says:

September 6, 2007 at 8:15 pm

I like Romney and Rudy…

Both have some very impressive records.

Especially sincere CEO experience, with some fine Conservative efforts, under a great deal of Liberal bias and intense pressure.

Both seem to have completely grasped low taxation in their careers, and understand the serious nature of the GWOT.

I like Mr. Thompson, but his record matches that of the very moderate McCain.

How could he have worked on the McCain campaign, which opposed tax reduction?

And what is this touchy message of ‘unity’?

Is Mr. Thompson suggesting we need to find common ground with Chuck Schumer?

He reminds me of a Senator, which is lowest on my list right now.

Also, unfortunately, Fred Thompson appears to be very old, unhealthy, uninspiring.

The hype never matches reality. But those most eager about Thompson don’t seem to be basing their excitement on the record.

Many of the most vocal Thompson supporters led the hyperbolic insanity regarding Immigration, Dubai, Meirs, etc…

What exactly supports the fashion, that Thompson’s would make a sound prospect? Is it his height, his tv persona, his deep voice with a southern accent?

Trying to find the ultra ‘super’ Conservative seems silly, because they do not exist.

Even the amazing President Reagan made mistakes.

A sound Leader will do just fine, and nearly anything will be better than the Democrat alternative.

As long as the race for the GOP builds instead of tears apart.

As long as we all come together behind the best Nominee.

Hillary wants to take things away from us…
CZ says:

September 6, 2007 at 9:07 pm

Hillary wants to take things away from usâ€¦

(hnav left out the best part)

…for the greater goodâ„¢
Drewsmom says:

September 6, 2007 at 9:21 pm

hill wants to take things away from us and give to other people, most of whom do not want to work and who could and I’m sick of NO HEATHCARE IN AMERICA, my Emergency Room stint for 13 years at a hospital taught me that ANYBODY GOT CARE, its the freakin law, and there was are BIG ASS SIGNS IN ALL ER’S THAT SAY THAT NOBODY WILL BE REFUSED CARE, thats why our ER’s are going down the tube cuz these people and illegals use em as a walk in clinic and always have and always will.
God, is that a long sentence or what.
ruth says:

September 6, 2007 at 10:25 pm

The long and short of my reaction to the debate last night is RUDY. I have at one time or another leaned toward Romney and McCain but at this moment I am thinking that Rudy is a committed, patriotic American who has the experience and dedication to make a great CIC. I liked his answer about his personal life. He essentially said that all of his career accomplishments happened outside of his personal life, meaning that whatever drawbacks occurred there, they did not interfere with his job. Rudy will not bend to the terrorists nor to democrat bullies who want to make a circus of the White House and the entire government if their guy is not President. Fred Thompson is on hold until I see him debate with his peers. I was not impressed with his Leno appearance or his commercial, mostly because of presentation, not content. I favored him at one time also, and still have tremendous respect for him, but have no reason at this point to get enthusiastic about him becoming a candidate. The Florida debate in October should help to narrow the field for me.

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