Fred Thompson 2008 presidential campaign

In Indianapolis on August 25, 2007.

On March 11, 2007, Thompson appeared on Fox News Sunday to discuss the possibility of a 2008 candidacy for president. The announcement spurred several grassroots draft movements, including a well-organized draft campaign started by Dean Rice, a former Thompson political aide, in Knoxville, Tennessee. While Thompson had not yet formally announced his intentions, he said he would "leave the door open."[1] He stated that he would not be interested in accepting a hypothetical nomination for vice president, explaining "I don't think I would ever want to do that and be in the second position."[2]

Thompson's March 11 announcement spurred a flurry of conjecture, discussion, and activity on the Internet. A "Draft Fred Thompson" forum site became a particularly popular online forum for supporters.[3] One group of supporters organized under the banner "FredHeadsUSA" with a plan to build a grassroots political movement to expand on Thompson's support on the Internet.[4]

On May 15, Thompson published a video in which he declined to debate Michael Moore about Cuba.[5]

Thompson formed an exploratory committee on June 1, 2007.[6] Unlike most candidate exploratory groups, his organized as a 527 group.[7] Thompson made his first public appearance after this exploratory committee formed on June 2 at the Virginia Republicans annual fund-raising gala in Richmond, Virginia.[8] Shortly thereafter, on June 5, 2007, Thompson launched his official website.[9] The same day, there was a Republican Presidential candidates debate with the then current 10 candidates, from New Hampshire, broadcast on CNN. Thompson was mentioned repeatedly as one of the poll front runners, even though he did not participate.[10]

On June 12, 2007, Thompson appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He would not announce his candidacy, but referred to his presidential exploratory committee, which he stated had yielded positive prospects. Leno mentioned that Thompson was #2 in the polls, and asked him if he would at least state if he would like the job of President. Thompson responded that, while he did not crave the job itself, there were things he would like to do that he could only do by holding that office.[11]

Interviewed by Eleanor Mondale of WCCO radio at the Minnesota State Fair on August 27, 2007.

In early July 2007, Liz Sidoti of the Associated Press wrote: "Thompson's easygoing, no-nonsense style is clearly his strength and undoubtedly has helped him soar in presidential polls."[12] Tucker Eskew, a Republican strategist unaligned in the race, said, "Smooth is good, but sometimes nitty gritty is essential" and "He'll be tested (but) he has a little time."[12] Meanwhile, he received a flurry of press attention over lobbying work he had done in 1991 and 1992 for a group advocating relaxed regulations on abortion counseling at federally funded clinics.[13] In July 2007, a New York Times article cited Thompson's aides as saying on July 18 that he planned to enter the race just after Labor Day (the first Monday in September), followed by a national announcement tour.[14]

On July 31, 2007, the Thompson committee reported to the IRS that it had raised almost $3.5 million and spent $625,000 in its first month.[15]

Thompson visited Iowa on August 17, 2007, but did not then officially launch his presidential campaign. Thompson was asked by NBC if he was officially in the race for president. Thompson replied with a simple "No." It was also noted that Thompson was already prepping for the Republican debates, so that he would be able to join the other Republican candidates on stage at the events after becoming an announced candidate.

Prior to Thompson's entry into the presidential race on September 5, 2007, the September 10, 2007 issue of Newsweek hit newsstands with a detailed cover story about him.[16]

Thompson declared his intent to seek the nomination on September 5, 2007 on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.[17] He then began a five-day tour of early voting states, including Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

In late September and early October, Fred Thompson made several blunders including not being aware of the Supreme Court decision regarding lethal injection,[18] confusing the party in power during the John Roberts nomination,[19] being unaware of the controversy over drilling for oil in the Everglades,[19][20] and confusing Russia and the Soviet Union.[20][21]

On September 27, 2007, PBS television hosted a Republican debate in Baltimore, Maryland, at Morgan State University that aired live on PBS and on www.pbs.org. Thompson, who missed his first debate opportunity since declaring his candidacy, was criticized by event organizers and other GOP candidates for his absence.[22] The October 9, 2007, CNBC, The Wall Street Journal, and the University of Michigan–Dearborn hosted Republican debate in Dearborn, Michigan, at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center,[23][24] featured Thompson in attendance.

Thompson in Dubuque, Iowa on December 17, 2007.

In early December, Fred Thompson rejected the NIE report stating that Iran stopped its nuclear weapons program.[21][25] He later stated that the report should be looked at with skepticism.[26][27]

Thompson competed in the Republican primary or caucus in five states. He won 13% of the vote in the Iowa Republican caucuses, trailing Mike Huckabee (34%) and Mitt Romney (25%). John McCain also got 13%, but Thompson received more actual votes.[28] Thompson won 3 of the 12 delegates in the Wyoming Republican County Conventions on January 5, 2008.[29]

On January 15, 2008, Thompson placed 5th in the Michigan Republican primary with 4% of the vote, winning no delegates.[30] He received 8% of the vote and 2 delegates in the Nevada Caucuses, placing 5th, on January 19, 2008.[31]

On January 19, 2008, Thompson placed 3rd in the South Carolina primary with 16% of the vote, earning no delegates.[32] Thompson was counting on a win in the southern conservative state to save his struggling campaign, and his poor showing was seen as a fatal blow to his candidacy.[33][34][35][36]

On January 22, 2008, after finishing third in South Carolina – a primary which he had publicly said he needed to win – Thompson announced his withdrawal from the race. In a statement released by his campaign, Thompson said, "Today, I have withdrawn my candidacy for president of the United States. I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort." He did not immediately endorse any of the remaining candidates,[37] but in February 2008 endorsed John McCain.[38]