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
-
'The winners and losers of AI may not be where we expect'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Shingles vaccine cuts dementia risk, study finds
Speed Read Getting vaccinated appears to significantly reduce the chances of developing Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Judge ends Eric Adams case, Trump leverage
Speed Read Federal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams were dismissed, as requested by Trump's Justice Department
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published