The US political drama has yet another candidate to fill the boots of the central character George W Bush when he leaves office in November next year. This time, it’s Fred Thompson, the character actor and ex-US senator, who has thrown his name into the hat. In an appearance in a popular television chat show he announced, "I’m running for president of the United States." Just like any actor taught in the school of dramatics would have done. The 65-year old Thompson made the announcement in a taped appearance on the ‘Tonight Show with Jay Leno’ during a 90-minute television debate in the crucial election state of New Hampshire. Although this declaration was widely anticipated, there were not many who thought that it would come so soon. Nevertheless, Thompson would be joining eight other Republicans for the presidential post. Actors moving into the world of politics are not uncommon these days but when it comes to Thompson and his objective to become the next US President, it appears that he does possess the credentials to fulfill that aim. Thompson is a Republican and is massively popular and greatly admired on the right of the party where he is often compared to Ronald Reegan. In his long and illustrious career, Fred Thompson has been a strong attorney, which is attested by the Watergate hearings, an intermittent lobbyist, a senator and a radio analyst. He has been a character actor too and is currently the district attorney in the popular TV series ‘Law and Order’. Thompson is known for his conservative views on issues like abortion and gun control, two vital issues that are the key talking points in the American society at the moment and could well be the defining factors in deciding who wins the 2008 Presidential elections. Along with the image of seriousness and dignity, Fred Thompson possesses the touch of the glamorous. He has enacted several roles of top government officials and has even played the US president on screen. Now he is gearing himself to play the role of the President in real life.
Apr
19
