Fred Thompson

PERSONAL DATA

• Party: Republican
• Age:65
• Marital Status: Once divorced; currently married to Jeri Kehn (Republican Consultant)
• Children: Three children with first wife (Betsy died in 2002 from an accidental overdose) and two children with Kehn.
• Education: University of Memphis (B.A); Vanderbilt (J.D)
• Occupation: Lawyer, Lobbyist, Actor; currently a US Senator
• Ethnicity/ Religious Beliefs: White/ Christian

PLATFORM 2008

• Iraq War Policy: In favor of troop surge
• Health Care Policy: Thompson boldly states that "Americans have the best healthcare in the world." He feels stongly that the government should stay out of healthcare policy and proposes a plan that increases competition ad consumer choice through free-market solutions.
• Immigration Policy: Advocates securing borders and enforcing immigration laws without extending amnesty towards current illigal immigrants.
• Cultural Policies: Pro-life; Anti-gay marriage; against gun control; calls himself the "consistent conservative."
• Website(s): www.fred08.com
  

GOSSIP AND SPIN

• Thompson announced that he was considering a presidential run in March 2007 but didn't announce his candidacy until Sept. 5, 2007 on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. His campaign entrance has been described as lackluster and anticlimactic despite high expectations in anticipation of his joining the race.
• Thompson seems to fulfill republican ideals with his folksy charm (red pick-up truck included), a career reminiscent of Ronald Reagan, and conservative rhetoric about the sanctity of family values.
• Thompson has been accused of flip-flopping on the issue of abortion. He briefly lobbied for a pro-life advocacy group.
• Thompson has often been called "lazy" -- not exactly the trait one looks for in a president.