Novak Says Fred Thompson Set to Run

Washington, DC (TLS). Political columnist and TV personality Robert Novak states in his latest column that former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson, who appears weekly as the D.A. on TV's 'Law and Order,' is set to make his bid for the Republican Presidential nomination.

Novak states that Thompson's talk about a White House bid is no act. Persons closest to the former Tennessee Senator told Novak that Thompson is seriously considering his options. His wife, who has worked as a political consultant, has stated she has encouraged her husband to run.

In recent weeks Thompson has met with Republican party officials, political operatives, campaign experts, and even members of Congress who have already endorsed other candidates, concerning the viability of a successful run.

And apparently the pundits and powers-that-be are impressed with the possibility of a Thompson candidacy. As soon as the former Senator announced to Fox News that he was seriously considering a bid, polls began to show Thompson moving into 3rd place in the field of Republican candidates, although he has made no campaign appearances or a formal announcement of his intentions.

The significance of this scenario cannot be brushed aside. John McCain has been basically running for President since 2000. Rudy Giuliani has been gearing up for a possible White House bid ever since his actions during and after the 9/11 terrorist attack made him an extremely popular figure throughout the country. Newt Gingrich has been touted as the conservatives' choice ever since he departed the U.S. House.

Yet Thompson immediately took 3rd place in the polls as soon as he merely suggested he was 'thinking about' seeking the Republican nomination.

Thompson would have absolutely no problem raising the mega-bucks needed to mount a successful campaign. He will need 100 million by Jan. 1. He has lots of friends in high places, who have lots of money. Even many in the Hollywood community would step up to the plate (yes, there are conservatives among the Stars although their voices are drowned out by the extreme Leftists).

Some have suggested that Mitt Romney may well be the 'dark horse' who will emerge as the favorite. After all, in the first quarter he raised almost as much money for his campaign as Hillary Clinton. Yet Romney is having great difficulty rising in the polls among Republican voters. If anything, he has lost ground since he first announced, despite his fund-raising ability.

Both McCain and Giuliani have posted lackluster results in raising campaign funds during the first quarter. Though both have individually raised 15 million or so each--a respectable number--it is still far short of Clinton, Romney, and Obama, all of whom have raised well over 20 million.

Although it is still early yet, the rest of the pack among the Republicans have not posted significant success in raising campaign cash. Duncan Hunter, The Liberty Sphere favorite, is coming along, but at this rate he will not have reached that all-important 100 million by Jan. 1 in order to run a competitive campaign.

He is not to be counted out yet, however. Things can change quickly.

The fact remains, however, that a Fred Thompson candidacy has excited many persons who were feeling glum about the prospects for a Republican victory in 2008.

The Liberty Sphere believes that he is the man to watch. Our view is that once Thompson announces his candidacy, he will immediately move to the Number One position in the polls of Republican voters. And at that point, the campaign cash will come rolling in.

Read Novak's interesting analysis here:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/novak/322596,CST-EDT-novak02.article