Thompson announces what we already knew
Former senator Fred Thompson is officially running for president. He'll steal the show by announcing it on Jay Leno, instead at tonight's GOP debate, said Katie Phillips on a New York Times blog. Smart move, said Hugh Hewitt on his blog. Otherwise he migh
Former senator Fred Thompson appeared in a brief video ad posted on YouTube today to call attention to his plans to announce his candidacy for the Republican nomination for president. Thompson, who said his official announcement will come on his Web site, reportedly has arranged to run a commercial during tonight’s GOP debate, although he won’t participate. Thompson is scheduled to appear on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, instead.
“Why wait to squeeze a short television ad in between all those tooth whitener commercials,” said Katie Phillips on The New York Times’ The Caucus blog. Thompson will sidestep the 90 minutes that his rivals spend “debating important points on a stage in New Hampshire,” and he’ll be the one who grabs the headlines.
Skipping the debate isn’t a bad idea, said Hugh Hewitt on HughHewitt.com. The Washington Times today lambasted Thompson for voting against cracking down on illegal immigrants in the 1990s. “There's not much chance Jay Leno will ask him about the story or the votes,” and that could be why Thompson plans to be spend the evening “across the continent from the debate.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“That Thompson would choose a Hollywood venue to declare his candidacy makes sense,” said James Carney on Time.com. “After all, to the extent that voters recognize Thompson, 65, it's as Arthur Branch, the gruff-but-charming District Attorney in the long-running NBC series Law & Order.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'Another day of chaos in DC'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
6 scenic white water rafting destinations to get your heart racing
The Week Recommends Have a rip-roaring time on the water
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Dangerous substances in Lunchables are raising concerns over children's health
In the Spotlight High levels of lead and sodium were recently found in the snack packages
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published