|
Actor joins presidential race
06/09/2007 22:51 - (SA)
Des Moines - Actor-politician Fred Thompson began an autumn scramble for the Republican presidential nomination on Thursday, pushing themes espoused by the late Ronald Reagan to try to generate excitement in his long-delayed campaign.
Thompson, 65, hoped to offer a fresh face in a Republican field that has failed to generate a lot of excitement among many party members, but some believed he was entering the November 2008 race too late and formidable challenges loom.
After "testing the waters" for six months and twice shaking up his staff, the tall, folksy Tennessean now faces an abbreviated time frame to try to increase his name recognition, raise money and overcome leading Republican candidates by the time the first voters troop to the polls in January.
Thompson's web video announcing his candidacy had many elements that had been the gospel of the hero of Republican conservatives, former President Reagan, such as a desire for low taxes and less government intervention.
And in a subtle jab at two other Republican candidates accused of flip-flopping on key issues, Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney, Thompson said he had held "the same common-sense conservative positions" throughout his political career.
Some analysts do not believe Thompson's seeming desire to wear the Reagan mantle will work.
One thing in common
Presidential scholar Stephen Hess of George Washington University said Reagan offered a far more optimistic presence than Thompson.
"I think the only thing they have in common is they were both actors, frankly," said Hess.
Thompson, a Hollywood actor whose face is familiar to millions of Americans and who has played presidents three times in movies, launched his bid in a video on his website and in an appearance on NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
He drew fire from Republican rivals for choosing to appear on The Tonight Show instead of at a debate on Wednesday night sponsored by the New Hampshire Republican Party.
Giuliani said Thompson will add value to the race, but noted: "This is a nomination you have to earn, though. Nobody's going to give it to you. Nobody's going to grant it to you. Nobody is going to crown you."
Taking aim at Clinton
In his web video, Thompson directed fire at Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, a message seemingly aimed at generating enthusiasm among Republican primary voters who are loathe to see the New York senator win the presidency.
Thompson noted that when he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1994, it came two years after his party was demoralized by Democrat Bill Clinton's election as president.
"In 1994, our conservative principles led us to a comeback and majority control of the Congress. Now you don't want to have to come back from another Clinton victory. Our country needs us to win next year, and I am ready to lead that effort," Thompson said.
- Reuters
|
News
