Washington – Republican Fred Thompson, a former Tennessee senator and “Law & Order” actor, is methodically moving ahead with a likely presidential bid, officials with knowledge of the plans said Wednesday.
An all-but-declared candidate for months, Thompson will establish an official organization in the coming days to weigh a White House bid while launching a major fundraising drive next week. The 64-year-old would bring an overwhelmingly conservative record with a few digressions from GOP orthodoxy to a crowded Republican field.
Thompson, best known as the gruff district attorney on NBC’s drama “Law & Order” and a character actor in scores of movies, would add star power to the presidential race.
The current field headed by Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney has left some GOP voters clamoring for someone else, and recent polls show Thomp son faring well despite his not-yet-announced status.
Thompson may visit early primary states in late June and could officially enter the race as early as the first week in July, according to the officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the plans were not public.
Thompson’s candidacy could hurt Romney, who is trying to position himself to the right of the major candidates, or pull support from McCain. Thompson and McCain have had similar records in the Senate, and Thomp son could be seen as a fresher face. He was one of a handful of senators who backed McCain in 2000 over President Bush.
Giuliani could be hindered if Thompson grabs Republicans who are uneasy with the former New York City mayor’s support for gay and abortion rights.
Thompson could significantly dampen the fundraising ability of his potential Republican rivals during the homestretch of the second quarter financial-reporting period.
Thompson served in the Senate from 1994 to 2002, capturing the seat held by Al Gore in a special election. During his tenure, Thompson voted to oust President Clinton from office, but also was one of 10 Republican senators who voted against one of the two impeachment charges.
He supported oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and elimination of funds for the National Endowment for the Arts. He also favored a ban on a late-term abortion procedure and voted against requiring criminal background checks for purchases at gun shows.
