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NewsFriday, August 31, 2007 5:15 PM CDT
Thompson to announce bid on Sept. 6
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DES MOINES, Iowa -- Republican Fred Thompson will officially launch his presidential bid Sept. 6 in a Webcast on his campaign site, followed by a five-day tour of early primary states.

"I believe that there are millions of Americans who know that our security and prosperity are at risk if we don't address the challenges of our time; the global threat of terrorism; taxes and spending that will bankrupt future generations, and a government that can't seem to get the most basic responsibilities right for its citizens," the former Tennessee senator and "Law & Order" actor said in a statement Thursday that laid out themes of his campaign.

Thompson, 65, is vying to be seen as the most consistent mainstream conservative in the race.

Aides disclosed details about how he will formally enter the race in a conference call with supporters.

Evening house parties will be held nationwide on Sept. 6. A tour of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina will quickly follow the Internet announcement on http://www.imwithfred.com , with later stops in Florida, and a homecoming event in Lawrenceburg, Tenn., on Sept. 15.

Next Wednesday, Thompson will appear on NBC's "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" but he won't participate with his Republican rivals in a debate that same night in New Hampshire.

Thompson brings to the eight-man GOP field a right-leaning Senate voting record with a few digressions from GOP orthodoxy and a healthy dose of Hollywood star power. He is hoping to attract conservatives who are lukewarm about the current crop of candidates.

Earlier this year, Thompson saw his popularity soar in polls when he acknowledged he was considering a run. Since then, he's consistently ranked among the top Republicans in national polls and surveys in key states alike. In April, he disclosed that he was diagnosed in 2004 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a highly treatable form of cancer.

He has spent months "testing the waters" of a presidential campaign, playing coy with the public about his intentions even as he opened campaign offices, started raising money and hired a campaign staff. But his preliminary campaign stumbled this summer, fueling doubts that Thompson has what it takes to mount a challenge to top contenders Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and John McCain.

Organizationally, Thompson underwent a series of staff changes - including the replacement of his manager-in-waiting - and other departures amid consternation about the active role of Thompson's wife, Jeri. At the same time, little progress was made setting up organizations in key states.

Thompson also failed on the fundraising front to reach the $5 million goal his backers had set for the first month he sought to bring in cash, and he dramatically lags his top rivals in money. He reported a lackluster $3.5 million.

He also faced questions this summer about his career as a lobbyist, including his work for a family planning group seeking to relax an abortion rule and work on behalf of a Tennessee savings and loans in favor of legislation that loosened federal oversight.

His delayed entrance into the race - which at one point was to occur in July - has prompted rumblings in Washington and early primary states that he may have missed his window.

The campaign opted for an Internet announcement because aides contend Thompson will be able to showcase an ability to take his message directly to voters. He has made extensive use of the Internet in the run up to his formal entrance into the race, and an independent Web-based draft movement generated buzz.

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Reader comments on this story - 7 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Comment about journalists wrote on Sep 1, 2007 8:22 AM:

" I have to chuckle here at Mr. Thompson's announcement. Good for him, that's fine and all that. My amusement is with the large number of newspaper articles that indicate Thopmson is going to ANNOUNCE his candidacy on 9/6/2007. It seems to be with all the blabby press, that announcement has already been made. So when 9/6 rolls around, what's his announcement going to be? Everyone all ready knows. "

1234 wrote on Aug 31, 2007 5:35 PM:

" I bought a Fred Thompson 2008 T-shirt and bumperstickers in May. I'm glad to see that Fred is finally catching up to my need to support a real conservative in the "Reagan mold" for 2008. Once he makes it official, I plan to send him some more money. Now, the race for Nov 2008 can start in earnest!!! (By the way, Ron Paul is an anti-war Libertarian in GOP clothing. He'd do better as an Independent where he could steal a few votes from the Democrat nominee - Hillary.) "

??? wrote on Aug 31, 2007 4:53 PM:

" Great another neo con that doesn't make any sense and is just beating the warmongers drum. How do you fight terrorism; it is a tactic not a defined military. It takes enormous money to police the world, so in a sense, Thompson doesn't understand less government. Only one candidate is worthy of the traits Thompson pretends to have, and that of course is Ron Paul. I love how this article says he is the most consistent “mainstream” conservative….We all know who the real true conservative; but I won’t mention his name again…RP "

Help save America! wrote on Aug 31, 2007 3:54 PM:

" Vote for Ron Paul in '08. If you don't know him then I kindly suggest you look his name up on the internet. He is the only choice who will not lead down further a fascist establishment. Thank you. "

Cynic wrote on Aug 31, 2007 3:26 PM:

" Wat Tyler, quit talking sense. That is not understood in these postings. "

Wat Tyler wrote on Aug 31, 2007 11:13 AM:

" Republicans can do a lot worse than Fred Thompson. However, I am concerned with the trend these days of Senators running for President. Given the hisorical record of Senators getting their heads handed to them by governors, on both sides of the aisle, you would think that an ambitious young man or woman with his or her eye on the ultimate prize in politics would concentrate on the proven path to power. Hillary, rather than going for the open Senate seat for New York, would have been better advised to run for governor, create a record of courageous intervention on behalf of her constituents, battle the Washington establish to establish her "street Cred" and come roaring back as a double threat, an outsider who knows the seamy side of Washington. But, no, the lady that promises to turn Gitmo into a Dairy Queen" chose the path more trammeled. "

I'm with Fred wrote on Aug 31, 2007 10:09 AM:

" He's got my vote. He believes in conservative values, less government, allowing me to keep more of my hard earned money, etc. This conservative understands Federalism and the limits (supposed limits) of the federal government. He might not be on the record as being against Row vs. Wade, but he is on the record stating that it is a states decision, not the federal government! "

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