Fred Thompson
Early Life
Thompson was born in Sheffield, Alabama, the son of Ruth Inez and Fletcher
Session Thompson. He attended public school in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee,
graduating from Lawrence County High School. Thereafter, he worked days in the
local post office and nights at a bicycle assembly plant.
Education
Thompson attended the University of North Alabama, becoming the first member of
his family to go to college. He later transferred to the University of Memphis, where
he earned a double-major in philosophy and political science. He went on to earn his
J.D. degree from Vanderbilt.
Career as an attorney
Thompson was admitted to the State Bar of Tennessee in 1967. He worked as an
assistant U.S. Attorney, successfully prosecuting bank robberies and other cases.
Thompson was the campaign manager for Republican U.S. Senator Howard Baker in
1972.
Thompson was appointed as Special Counsel to the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee , Special Counsel to the Senate Intelligence Committee. His clients
included Toyota Motors Corporation.
Watergate Scandal
In 1973, Thompson was appointed to a special committee convened by the U.S.
Senate to investigate the Watergate scandal. He is sometimes credited for supplying
Republican Senator Howard Baker's famous question, "What did the President
know, and when did he know it?" This question is said to have helped frame the
hearings in a way that eventually led to the downfall of President Richard Nixon.
Thompson also revealed the existence of tape recordings of conversations within the
White House. NPR called the discovery of the Watergate tapes "a turning point in
the investigation." Thompson later wrote "The Inside Story of the Senate Watergate
Committee."
Lobbyist During Savings and Loan Crisis
Thompson was a lobbyist on behalf of the Tennessee Savings and Loan League to
pass the St Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982, which deregulated the
Savings and Loan industry. Congress and President Reagan supported the act but it
was said to be a factor that led to the savings and loan crisis.
Hollywood Personification of Governmental Power
In 1977, Thompson was an attorney representing Marie Ragghianti, a Tennessee
Parole Board chairperson, who was fired for refusing to release felons after they
had bribed aides to Governor Ray Blanton. Thompson helped to expose the bribery
scandal that eventually led to Governor Blanton's removal from office.
The case became the subject of a book and film. Director Roger Donaldson, after
traveling to Nashville to speak with people involved with the original case, asked
Thompson if he wanted to play himself in the movie. The film: "Marie", became
Thompson's first acting role.
Donaldson later cast Thompson in the part of CIA Director in the 1987 film: "No
Way Out", starring Gene Hackman and Kevin Costner. Thompson would go on to
appear in many films and television shows. A New York Times profile wrote "When
Hollywood directors need someone who can personify governmental power, they
often turn to Thompson."
Law & Order
In 2002, Thompson joined the cast of the long-running NBC television series Law &
Order. Due to the equal-time rule, reruns featuring Thompson will not be shown on
NBC during the campaign, but cable episodes will be unaffected.
Auditioning for the Senate
In 1994, Thompson was elected to finish the remaining two years of Al Gore's Senate
term. Thompson traveled the campaign trail in a red pickup truck, and his opponent
charged that Thompson "is a lobbyist and actor who talks about lower taxes, talks
about change, while he drives a rented stage prop."
Crossing Paths with the Clintons
During the 1996 presidential debates, he also served as a Clinton stand-in to help
prepare Bob Dole. In 1999, the Senate voted on the Clinton impeachment. The
obstruction of justice charge was defeated with Thompson voting for conviction.
Campaign co-chairman for John McCain
In the 2000 Republican presidential primaries, Thompson endorsed Senator John
McCain and became his national co-chairman. Both McCain and Thompson were
contenders to be George W. Bush's running mate in 2000.
Fearless Senator
Senator Susan Collins of Maine characterized her colleague this way: "I believe that
Fred is a fearless senator. By that I mean he was never afraid to cast a vote or take
a stand, regardless of the political consequences."
Thompson's Senate record has received some criticism from people who say he was
lazy. Critics point to Thompson's quote: "I don't like spending 14- and 16-hour days
voting on 'sense of the Senate' resolutions on irrelevant matters. Defenders say he
spent more time in preparation than other Senators. A former staffer, told the New
York Times, "On the lazy charge, I have to chuckle because I was there sometimes
until 1 in the morning working with the man."
Post-Senate activities
In March 2003, Thompson was featured in a commercial by Citizens United that
advocated the invasion of Iraq, stating: "When people ask what has Saddam done to
us, I ask, what had the 9/11 hijackers done to us -- before 9/11."
After the retirement of Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor in
2005, Bush appointed him to an informal position to help guide the nomination of
John Roberts through the United States Senate confirmation process. Roberts was
subsequently confirmed as Chief Justice.
International Security Advisory Board
Until July 2007, Thompson was Chair of the International Security Advisory Board, a
bipartisan advisory panel that reports to the Secretary of State and focuses on
emerging strategic threats. He advised the State Department about all aspects of
arms control, disarmament, international security, and related aspects of public
diplomacy.
Radio analyst
In 2006, he signed on with ABC News Radio to serve as senior analyst and vacation
replacement for Paul Harvey. He used that platform to spell out his positions on a
number of political issues.
Campaign for President
In June 2007, Thompson told Jay Leno on The Tonight Show that while he did not
crave the Presidency itself, but there were things he would like to do that he could
only do by holding that office. In September, Thompson made his candidacy official
on The Tonight Show.
Political positions
Thompson is skeptical human efforts cause global warming and has pointed to
parallel warming on several planets such as Mars.
He says citizens are entitled to keep and bear arms if they do not have criminal
records.
Thompson supported the U.S. 2003 invasion of Iraq and is opposed to withdrawing
troops, but believes "mistakes have been made" since the invasion.
Personal life
In September 1959, at the age of 17, Thompson married Sarah Elizabeth Lindsey.
While Thompson was attending law school, both he and his wife worked to pay for
his education and support their three children. The couple divorced in 1985 and
have two surviving children, as well as five grandchildren.
Prior to his second marriage, Thompson had been romantically linked to country
singer Lorrie Morgan, Republican fundraiser Georgette Mosbacher and columnist
Margaret Carlson. In 2002, Thompson married Jeri Kehn. When asked in a recent
A.P. survey of candidates to name his favorite possession, he humorously replied
"trophy wife." The couple have two children.
Religion
Thompson is a member of the Church of Christ. According to Thompson, his values
come from "sitting around the kitchen table" with his parents, and from the
Church. He does not plan to speak about his religion during his campaign saying, "Me
getting up and talking about what a wonderful person I am and that sort of thing,
I'm not comfortable with that, and I don't think it does me any good."
Early Life
Thompson was born in Sheffield, Alabama, the son of Ruth Inez and Fletcher
Session Thompson. He attended public school in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee,
graduating from Lawrence County High School. Thereafter, he worked days in the
local post office and nights at a bicycle assembly plant.
Education
Thompson attended the University of North Alabama, becoming the first member of
his family to go to college. He later transferred to the University of Memphis, where
he earned a double-major in philosophy and political science. He went on to earn his
J.D. degree from Vanderbilt.
Career as an attorney
Thompson was admitted to the State Bar of Tennessee in 1967. He worked as an
assistant U.S. Attorney, successfully prosecuting bank robberies and other cases.
Thompson was the campaign manager for Republican U.S. Senator Howard Baker in
1972.
Thompson was appointed as Special Counsel to the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee , Special Counsel to the Senate Intelligence Committee. His clients
included Toyota Motors Corporation.
Watergate Scandal
In 1973, Thompson was appointed to a special committee convened by the U.S.
Senate to investigate the Watergate scandal. He is sometimes credited for supplying
Republican Senator Howard Baker's famous question, "What did the President
know, and when did he know it?" This question is said to have helped frame the
hearings in a way that eventually led to the downfall of President Richard Nixon.
Thompson also revealed the existence of tape recordings of conversations within the
White House. NPR called the discovery of the Watergate tapes "a turning point in
the investigation." Thompson later wrote "The Inside Story of the Senate Watergate
Committee."
Lobbyist During Savings and Loan Crisis
Thompson was a lobbyist on behalf of the Tennessee Savings and Loan League to
pass the St Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982, which deregulated the
Savings and Loan industry. Congress and President Reagan supported the act but it
was said to be a factor that led to the savings and loan crisis.
Hollywood Personification of Governmental Power
In 1977, Thompson was an attorney representing Marie Ragghianti, a Tennessee
Parole Board chairperson, who was fired for refusing to release felons after they
had bribed aides to Governor Ray Blanton. Thompson helped to expose the bribery
scandal that eventually led to Governor Blanton's removal from office.
The case became the subject of a book and film. Director Roger Donaldson, after
traveling to Nashville to speak with people involved with the original case, asked
Thompson if he wanted to play himself in the movie. The film: "Marie", became
Thompson's first acting role.
Donaldson later cast Thompson in the part of CIA Director in the 1987 film: "No
Way Out", starring Gene Hackman and Kevin Costner. Thompson would go on to
appear in many films and television shows. A New York Times profile wrote "When
Hollywood directors need someone who can personify governmental power, they
often turn to Thompson."
Law & Order
In 2002, Thompson joined the cast of the long-running NBC television series Law &
Order. Due to the equal-time rule, reruns featuring Thompson will not be shown on
NBC during the campaign, but cable episodes will be unaffected.
Auditioning for the Senate
In 1994, Thompson was elected to finish the remaining two years of Al Gore's Senate
term. Thompson traveled the campaign trail in a red pickup truck, and his opponent
charged that Thompson "is a lobbyist and actor who talks about lower taxes, talks
about change, while he drives a rented stage prop."
Crossing Paths with the Clintons
During the 1996 presidential debates, he also served as a Clinton stand-in to help
prepare Bob Dole. In 1999, the Senate voted on the Clinton impeachment. The
obstruction of justice charge was defeated with Thompson voting for conviction.
Campaign co-chairman for John McCain
In the 2000 Republican presidential primaries, Thompson endorsed Senator John
McCain and became his national co-chairman. Both McCain and Thompson were
contenders to be George W. Bush's running mate in 2000.
Fearless Senator
Senator Susan Collins of Maine characterized her colleague this way: "I believe that
Fred is a fearless senator. By that I mean he was never afraid to cast a vote or take
a stand, regardless of the political consequences."
Thompson's Senate record has received some criticism from people who say he was
lazy. Critics point to Thompson's quote: "I don't like spending 14- and 16-hour days
voting on 'sense of the Senate' resolutions on irrelevant matters. Defenders say he
spent more time in preparation than other Senators. A former staffer, told the New
York Times, "On the lazy charge, I have to chuckle because I was there sometimes
until 1 in the morning working with the man."
Post-Senate activities
In March 2003, Thompson was featured in a commercial by Citizens United that
advocated the invasion of Iraq, stating: "When people ask what has Saddam done to
us, I ask, what had the 9/11 hijackers done to us -- before 9/11."
After the retirement of Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor in
2005, Bush appointed him to an informal position to help guide the nomination of
John Roberts through the United States Senate confirmation process. Roberts was
subsequently confirmed as Chief Justice.
International Security Advisory Board
Until July 2007, Thompson was Chair of the International Security Advisory Board, a
bipartisan advisory panel that reports to the Secretary of State and focuses on
emerging strategic threats. He advised the State Department about all aspects of
arms control, disarmament, international security, and related aspects of public
diplomacy.
Radio analyst
In 2006, he signed on with ABC News Radio to serve as senior analyst and vacation
replacement for Paul Harvey. He used that platform to spell out his positions on a
number of political issues.
Campaign for President
In June 2007, Thompson told Jay Leno on The Tonight Show that while he did not
crave the Presidency itself, but there were things he would like to do that he could
only do by holding that office. In September, Thompson made his candidacy official
on The Tonight Show.
Political positions
Thompson is skeptical human efforts cause global warming and has pointed to
parallel warming on several planets such as Mars.
He says citizens are entitled to keep and bear arms if they do not have criminal
records.
Thompson supported the U.S. 2003 invasion of Iraq and is opposed to withdrawing
troops, but believes "mistakes have been made" since the invasion.
Personal life
In September 1959, at the age of 17, Thompson married Sarah Elizabeth Lindsey.
While Thompson was attending law school, both he and his wife worked to pay for
his education and support their three children. The couple divorced in 1985 and
have two surviving children, as well as five grandchildren.
Prior to his second marriage, Thompson had been romantically linked to country
singer Lorrie Morgan, Republican fundraiser Georgette Mosbacher and columnist
Margaret Carlson. In 2002, Thompson married Jeri Kehn. When asked in a recent
A.P. survey of candidates to name his favorite possession, he humorously replied
"trophy wife." The couple have two children.
Religion
Thompson is a member of the Church of Christ. According to Thompson, his values
come from "sitting around the kitchen table" with his parents, and from the
Church. He does not plan to speak about his religion during his campaign saying, "Me
getting up and talking about what a wonderful person I am and that sort of thing,
I'm not comfortable with that, and I don't think it does me any good."
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
