Fred Thompson was first elected to the United States Senate from Tennessee in 1994 and served until his retirement in 2003.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs Member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Member of the Senate Committee on National Security Working Group Member of the Senate Committee on Finance. Prior to his election to the U.S. Senate, Fred Thompson maintained law offices in Nashville and Washington and served as Special Counsel to both the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
In 1969, Senator Thompson was named an Assistant United States Attorney and at the age of 30 was appointed Minority Counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee, where he served in 1973 and 1974.
Senator Thompson is the author of the Watergate memoir At That Point in Time and has also appeared in 19 motion pictures. Senator Thompson received his undergraduate degree in philosophy and political science from Memphis State University in 1964 and his law degree from Vanderbilt University in 1967.
TV Star, Former Senator Fred Thompson Considers '08 Presidential BidSunday , March 11, 2007WASHINGTON — "Law and Order" star and former Tennessee Republican Sen. Fred Thompson is weighing a bid for the White House in 2008, he told Chris Wallace on "FOX News Sunday.""I'm going to wait and see what happens," Thompson said. "I want to see my colleagues on the campaign trial, what they say, what they emphasize, whether they can carry the ball next November."Thompson, 64, who plays district attorney Arthur Branch on NBC's drama, said he was pondering a run after former Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker and other Tennessee Republicans began drumming up support for his possible Republican candidacy, citing his conservative credentials."I think people are somewhat disillusioned. A lot of people are cynical out there. They're looking for something different," he said.On the issues, Thompson said he:—Is "pro-life," and believes federal judges should reexamine the Supreme Court's landmark Roe v. Wade decision of 1973 which established a woman's right to an abortion.—Opposes gay marriage, but would let states decide whether to allow civil unions. "Marriage is between a man and a woman, and judges shouldn't be allowed to change that."—Supports President George W. Bush's decision to increase troops in Iraq. "Wars are full of mistakes. You rectify them. I think we are doing that now," he said. "We've got to give it a chance to work."—Would pardon former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby's conviction for perjury and obstruction of justice now, rather than waiting until all his appeals are exhausted. Libby was found guilty of perjury and obstruction in the investigation into the 2003 leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity.Libby is "bearing the political brunt of something that should've never come about," Thompson said, noting that "practically every witness at trial had inconsistent statements."Thompson said he was not setting a deadline to make a decision and believes he will not be at a disadvantage if he waited until summer. "The lay of the land will be different in a couple of months than it is today, one way or another," he said in an interview on "Fox News Sunday."Thompson, the minority counsel in the Watergate investigation, was elected to the Senate in 1994 to fill the unexpired term of Vice President Al Gore. He was chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee and left the Senate in 2003 to resume his acting career.Thompson has acted in films such as "The Hunt for Red October," "Cape Fear," and "In the Line of Fire."If he decided to run, Thompson would join a crowded Republican field led by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Sen. John McCain of Arizona. The number could grow on Monday when Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel makes an announcement on his future plans.
This Fred Thompson Thing Looks Like It Could Be Getting Serious [Kathryn Jean Lopez] DRAFT FRED THOMPSON 2008 The Right Leadership for America Congressmen Wamp and Duncan Announce the Launch of the Official Draft Fred Thompson 2008 Committee For Immediate Release .... March 19, 2007 (Knoxville, TN) — Two prominent members of the Tennessee Congressional delegation today announced the formation of a committee designed to encourage former Senator Fred D. Thompson to seek the Republican presidential nomination. Congressmen Zach Wamp and John J. Duncan, Jr. will serve as co-chairmen of the "Draft Fred Thompson 2008" committee. The committee's goal is to recruit and organize citizens from both the public and private sectors into a leadership group that will serve as a clearinghouse for Thompson supporters from across the country. "It is becoming increasingly obvious that a growing number of Americans want Fred Thompson to join the 2008 presidential campaign," said Wamp. "Senator Thompson's ability to communicate an optimistic vision for America, coupled with his strong conservative credentials, makes him an ideal choice for thousands of our fellow citizens." Duncan said he was "proud to lend my name and energy to this important draft effort." "I have known Fred Thompson for many years," the Congressman continued, "and I believe he is an exceptional national leader who has the character and integrity to be an outstanding president." A third Congressman from Tennessee, freshman David Davis, a well known conservative leader, has also agreed to become a member of the committee, according to Wamp and Duncan. The co-chairmen said they believed that scores of other prominent leaders from Tennessee and across the country will be joining the draft movement in the next several weeks. "I believe that thousands of Americans from every walk of life will join this grass-roots effort" Duncan said. "They will help us send a clear message to Senator Thompson that he should take the next step and announce his candidacy." Wamp said Thompson “personifies strength and trust. His charisma, eloquence, and exemplary public service have inspired Tennesseans and Americans alike. When I ask my conservative colleagues in Congress if Fred should run, it’s like setting off fireworks above the Capitol.” “America needs Fred Thompson to answer this call,” said Congressman Wamp. Dean Rice of Knoxville, a former aide to Thompson and now a government relations executive, is the treasurer of the Draft Fred Thompson 2008 committee. He urged those interested in the campaign to visit the committee's web site, www.fred08.com or e-mail runfred@fred08.com. Paid for by Draft Fred Thompson 2008. Not Paid for by any Candidate or Candidate's Committee. 03/19 03:03 PM
http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Fred_Thompson.htm--------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Abortion--------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted YES on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)
* Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)
* Voted YES on banning human cloning. (Feb 1998)--------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Budget & Economy--------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted YES on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts. (Apr 2000)
* Voted NO on 1998 GOP budget. (May 1997)
* Voted YES on Balanced-budget constitutional amendment. (Mar 1997)--------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Civil Rights---------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
* Voted NO on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
* Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
* Voted NO on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (Mar 1998)
* Voted NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business. (Oct 1997)
* Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
* Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)
* Voted YES on Amendment to prohibit flag burning. (Dec 1995)
* Voted NO on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. (Jul 1995)---------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Corporations---------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted YES on restricting rules on personal bankruptcy. (Jul 2001)---------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Crime---------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted NO on $1.15 billion per year to continue the COPS program. (May 1999)
* Voted YES on limiting death penalty appeals. (Apr 1996)
* Voted YES on limiting product liability punitive damage awards. (Mar 1996)
* Voted YES on restricting class-action lawsuits. (Dec 1995)
* Voted YES on repealing federal speed limits. (Jun 1995)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Drugs---------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted YES on increasing penalties for drug offenses. (Nov 1999)
* Voted YES on spending international development funds on drug control. (Jul 1996)----------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Education----------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted NO on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
* Voted NO on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
* Voted NO on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. (Apr 2001)
* Voted YES on Educational Savings Accounts. (Mar 2000)
* Voted YES on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules. (Mar 1999)
* Voted YES on education savings accounts. (Jun 1998)
* Voted YES on school vouchers in DC. (Sep 1997)
* Voted YES on $75M for abstinence education. (Jul 1996)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Energy & Oil-----------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted YES on drilling ANWR on national security grounds. (Apr 2002)
* Voted YES on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months. (Mar 2002)
* Voted YES on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling. (Apr 2000)
* Voted NO on ending discussion of CAFE fuel efficiency standards. (Sep 1999)
* Voted YES on defunding renewable and solar energy. (Jun 1999)
* Voted YES on approving a nuclear waste repository. (Apr 1997)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Environment-----------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted YES on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. (Jan 2001)
* Voted YES on more funding for forest roads and fish habitat. (Sep 1999)
* Voted YES on transportation demo projects. (Mar 1998)
* Voted YES on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests. (Sep 1997)------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Families & Children------------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted YES on killing restrictions on violent videos to minors. (May 1999)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Foreign Policy------------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted YES on enlarging NATO to include Eastern Europe. (May 2002)
* Voted NO on killing a bill for trade sanctions if China sells weapons. (Sep 2000)
* Voted YES on cap foreign aid at only $12.7 billion. (Oct 1999)
* Voted YES on limiting the President's power to impose economic sanctions. (Jul 1998)
* Voted NO on limiting NATO expansion to only Poland, Hungary & Czech. (Apr 1998)
* Voted NO on $17.9 billion to IMF. (Mar 1998)
* Voted YES on Strengthening of the trade embargo against Cuba. (Mar 1996)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Free Trade-------------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted YES on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002)
* Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001)
* Voted NO on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001)
* Voted YES on permanent normal trade relations with China. (Sep 2000)
* Voted YES on expanding trade to the third world. (May 2000)
* Voted YES on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority. (Nov 1997)
* Voted YES on imposing trade sanctions on Japan for closed market. (May 1995)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Government Reform-------------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted YES on banning "soft money" contributions and restricting issue ads. (Mar 2002)
* Voted YES on require photo ID (not just signature) for voter registration. (Feb 2002)
* Voted YES on banning campaign donations from unions & corporations. (Apr 2001)
* Voted YES on funding for National Endowment for the Arts. (Aug 1999)
* Voted YES on favoring 1997 McCain-Feingold overhaul of campaign finance. (Oct 1997)
* Voted YES on Approving the presidential line-item veto. (Mar 1996)
* Voted NO on banning more types of Congressional gifts. (Jul 1995)--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Gun Control--------------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted NO on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
* Voted NO on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)
* Voted YES on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
* Voted YES on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul 1998)---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Health Care---------------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted NO on allowing reimportation of Rx drugs from Canada. (Jul 2002)
* Voted NO on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages. (Jun 2001)
* Voted YES on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001)
* Voted NO on including prescription drugs under Medicare. (Jun 2000)
* Voted YES on limiting self-employment health deduction. (Jul 1999)
* Voted NO on increasing tobacco restrictions. (Jun 1998)
* Voted YES on Medicare means-testing. (Jun 1997)
* Voted NO on medical savings acounts. (Apr 1996)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Homeland Security----------------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted NO on adopting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. (Oct 1999)
* Voted YES on allowing another round of military base closures. (May 1999)
* Voted YES on cutting nuclear weapons below START levels. (May 1999)
* Voted YES on deploying National Missile Defense ASAP. (Mar 1999)
* Voted YES on military pay raise of 4.8%. (Feb 1999)
* Voted NO on prohibiting same-sex basic training. (Jun 1998)
* Voted YES on favoring 36 vetoed military projects. (Oct 1997)
* Voted NO on banning chemical weapons. (Apr 1997)
* Voted YES on considering deploying NMD, and amending ABM Treaty. (Jun 1996)
* Voted YES on 1996 Defense Appropriations. (Sep 1995)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Immigration-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted YES on allowing more foreign workers into the US for farm work. (Jul 1998)
* Voted YES on visas for skilled workers. (May 1998)
* Voted YES on limit welfare for immigrants. (Jun 1997)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Jobs-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted YES on repealing Clinton's ergonomic rules on repetitive stress. (Mar 2001)
* Voted YES on killing an increase in the minimum wage. (Nov 1999)
* Voted YES on allowing workers to choose between overtime & comp-time. (May 1997)
* Voted YES on replacing farm price supports. (Feb 1996)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Principles & Values-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------* Religious affiliation: Protestant. (Nov 2000)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Social Security-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted YES on Social Security Lockbox & limiting national debt. (Apr 1999)
* Voted YES on allowing Roth IRAs for retirees. (May 1998)
* Voted YES on allowing personal retirement accounts. (Apr 1998)
* Voted YES on deducting Social Security payments on income taxes. (May 1996)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Tax Reform-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted NO on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates. (May 2001)
* Voted NO on increasing tax deductions for college tuition. (May 2001)
* Voted YES on eliminating the 'marriage penalty'. (Jul 2000)
* Voted YES on across-the-board spending cut. (Oct 1999)
* Voted YES on requiring super-majority for raising taxes. (Apr 1998)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Technology-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted YES on Internet sales tax moratorium. (Oct 1998)
* Voted YES on telecomm deregulation. (Feb 1996)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on War & Peace------------------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted YES on authorizing use of military force against Iraq. (Oct 2002)
* Voted YES on allowing all necessary force in Kosovo. (May 1999)
* Voted NO on authorizing air strikes in Kosovo. (Mar 1999)
* Voted YES on ending the Bosnian arms embargo. (Jul 1995)
* Condemns anti-Muslim bigotry in name of anti-terrorism. (Oct 2001)
* Move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. (Nov 1995)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fred Thompson on Welfare & Poverty------------------------------------------------------------------------------------* Voted YES on welfare block grants. (Aug 1996)
* Voted NO on eliminating block grants for food stamps. (Jul 1996)
* Voted YES on allowing state welfare waivers. (Jul 1996)
* Voted YES on welfare overhaul. (Sep 1995)
