The Nation - Thompson officially announces he'll officially announce candidacy - The Republican plans a presidential campaign kickoff next week in a webcast, he confirms.
WASHINGTON — Former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee told supporters Thursday that he would formally enter the race for the Republican presidential nomination next week, with TV and Internet appearances designed to exploit the actor-politician's celebrity.
Thompson, 65, has talked since spring about running for president, but has repeatedly put off an announcement as he replaced staffers and raised more than $3 million for the fledgling effort.
Thompson and his aides told donors and supporters in conference calls that he would officially launch the campaign Thursday with a webcast. Aides later confirmed the private announcement in an e-mail to reporters. A tour of the early-voting states Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina are to follow the kickoff.
Thompson's campaign and NBC are trying to arrange an appearance by Thompson on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" on Wednesday, the night before the official kickoff. An NBC executive said Thursday that both sides were pursuing the booking but that his appearance was not confirmed.
The other Republican presidential contenders are scheduled to debate that night in New Hampshire. The Union Leader, the state's largest newspaper, said in an editorial this week that Thompson, who has been exploring a campaign for months to the impatience of some Republicans, should enter the race and appear at the debate. But a Thompson appearance on the Leno show could eclipse the debate, and give the candidate an enormous audience in a friendly entertainment venue.
"I believe that there are millions of Americans who know that our security and prosperity are at risk if we don't address the challenges of our time: the global threat of terrorism; taxes and spending that will bankrupt future generations; and a government that can't seem to get the most basic responsibilities right for its citizens," Thompson said in a statement e-mailed by his campaign.
Thompson shepherded few major bills during his eight years as a senator. As an actor, he is best-known for his role as New York Dist. Atty. Arthur Branch on the NBC drama series "Law & Order" and for his performances in such movies as "The Hunt for Red October."
There is precedent for beginning a campaign on "The Tonight Show": Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his gubernatorial campaign there in 2003.
By appearing on Leno's show, Thompson will attempt to use his celebrity to "go over the heads of pundits," in the words of one advisor.
