Thursday, May 31, 2007

Experts Say Thompson Will Announce Presidential Candidacy On July 4

   Political experts reported Wednesday that speculation over whether Fred Thompson will toss his hat into the race for the Republican nomination for United States President has come to an end. Thompson is set, they stated, to make the announcement on the July 4 holiday weekend.

   A native of Lawrenceburg, Thompson gained notoriety while serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney on the Watergate Committee during 1973 and 1974. His acting career was launched when he was asked to play himself in a movie depicting the events.

   Thompson was elected to the United States Senate in a November 8, 1994, special election to fill an unexpired term when Al Gore, Jr., became Vice President. He was reelected to the post in 1996, but opted not to seek reelection for a subsequent term.

   After leaving politics, Thompson resumed his acting career, landing his current role on the long-running NBC drama Law and Order.

   Sources close to Thompson indicate that he plans to make a formal announcement in Nashville, but that staffers will go on the payroll in June. They indicate that he had been noncommittal about his plans to enter the Republican race until Tuesday. During a conference call with potential campaign donors, they report that he “dropped all pretenses.” They indicate that Thompson plans to present himself as “a consistent conservative who can unite the Republican Party,” and that he “can be seen as the adult with a firm hand...”