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Posted: August 24, 2007 1:48 PM
Speculation Escalates over Thompson Entry
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As the Labor Day weekend nears, the anticipated entry of former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., into the presidential race has generated a flurry of articles on his recent candidate-like appearances in Iowa and at the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in Kansas City, Mo.

“He’s done a very slow striptease to get to the point he is now, where we think, we think finally he’s right on the verge of jumping in,” said Susan Page of USA Today in a NewsHour interview.

An Associated Press article touched on Thompson’s Hollywood image. He has played an attorney, military officer, politician and president on various television shows.

Yet, many people do not know who the real Thompson is, according to some reports. The New York Times reported on some of the small talk about the candidate circulating through the Iowa crowd. The undeclared candidate mingled and signed autographs for fans at the state fair, and stopped at the Des Moines Register’s political “soapbox.” During a 20-minute speech speech, Thompson described his background and spoke of national security, the economy and government experience. He worked to align himself with traditional GOP stances, saying he supports people’s right to carry guns and is “unabashedly pro-life.”

He also hinted at his possible candidacy, “If things play out the way I’ve got it planned, we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other.”

But without officially declaring, Thompson faces restrictions on the type of campaigning he can do. For example, while in Iowa, he could shake hands but not ask for votes. He also cannot advertise or promote his presidential aspirations.

Lane Hudson, a liberal blogger has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, accusing Thompson of raising more money than he needs for “testing the waters,” according to the New York Times.

Thompson has 15 days to respond to the complaint, according to federal guidelines, and once he does, the FEC would decide whether to investigate.

This week, Thompson criticized presidential candidate and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s support for gun control, writing on his Web site, “When I was working in television, I spent quite a bit of time in New York city. There are lots of things about the place I like, but New York gun laws don’t fall in that category.”

An analysis by Politico said Thompson would be the first candidate to run because others have persuaded him since Dwight Eisenhower in 1952.

He is scheduled to make a stop in Indianapolis on Saturday to deliver remarks at the Midwest Leadership Forum.