Posted on 11/01/2015 5:06:05 PM PST by Kaslin
One of the most well-liked figures in national politics has passed away today. Fred Thompson, whose careers as an attorney, an actor, and a politician nearly gave him a path to the White House, died earlier today from lymphoma, according to his family. Thompson was 73 years old:
Mr. Thompson died after a recurrence of lymphoma, according to a statement issued by the Thompson family.
“It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of grief that we share the passing of our brother, husband, father, and grandfather who died peacefully in Nashville surrounded by his family,” the statement reads.
“Fred once said that the experiences he had growing up in small-town Tennessee formed the prism through which he viewed the world and shaped the way he dealt with life. Fred stood on principle and common sense, and had a deep love for and connection with the people across Tennessee whom he had the privilege to serve in the United States Senate. He enjoyed a hearty laugh, a strong handshake, a good cigar, and a healthy dose of humility. Fred was the same man on the floor of the Senate, the movie studio, or the town square of Lawrenceburg, his home.
“Fred believed that the greatness of our nation was defined by the hard work, faith, and honesty of its people. He had an enduring belief in the exceptionalism of our country, and that America could provide the opportunity for any boy or girl, in any corner of our country, to succeed in life. “
Thompson led a storied public life, beginning in one of the most dramatic moments in American politics over the last half-century. Thompson’s questioning of Alexander Butterfield in the Watergate scandal exposed the taping system employed by Richard Nixon, and eventually led to Nixon’s resignation. Thompson continued to make waves as an attorney, representing a whistleblower in a corruption case in Tennessee. That led to an opportunity to play himself in the film Marie, starring Sissy Spacek, and leading to a long career in Hollywood. Iconic roles in The Hunt for Red October, Die Hard II, and later “Law and Order” gave Thompson a familiar, avuncular quality.
In 1994, Thompson parlayed that familiarity to a seat in the US Senate, taking Al Gore’s seat in a special election. He won again in 1996 for a full term, but retired from the Senate in 2002 to return to his acting career. In 2007, though, with the Republican presidential field wide open, Thompson decided to run for the nomination, only to find that he’d gotten in too late to have an impact.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Thompson on a few occasions. He had the same folksy manner off air as he did on the air, perhaps more so when he left politics for good after 2007. One of those occasions came at CPAC in 2014, when Thompson was promoting his project Persecuted. Quite frankly, even though I had spoken to Thompson on the air a few times, it was a little daunting to interview him in person with a bit of a crowd around, but Thompson was as gracious and friendly as ever. Here’s the interview, and you’ll see how much I enjoyed getting to chat with him:
Rest in peace, Senator. You certainly earned it. Our prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues.
Prayers up, God Speed... RIP Mr. Thompson
In 2008, he waited until it was too late to win the Republican nomination, but, it sapped Duncan Hunter of the funds that would have allowed his campaign to challengeJohn McLame. Thompson, though conservative in most votes was an elitist’ friend and I maintain he got into the campaign simply to torpedo Hunter.
So, on the positive side, at least he won’t be torpedo-ing Ted Cruz’ campaign.
Fred was my choice in the 2007 primaries. RIP
The senator will be missed by those of us that found him honest!
Sorry to hear this...73 is too soon.
R.I.P.
Sad this one stings a bit wish he would have had the fire in the belly we would have been in much better shape today I am sure of it RIP Sir
Whoa! RIP Sen. Thompson.
RIP Fred. When you get to heaven, if you could ask God for help down here. Satan seems to be on the march.
One of the first guys I donated to vs the RNC. RIP Fred.
He was my senator and I voted for him in 1994. He would have been my choice in the Tennessee primary on February 5, 2008. Unfortunately he dropped out before the primary.
Amen, brother.
We would be in deep trouble as a country right now had he gotten to be President. We haven’t gone through something like a death of a president since 1963. I think God knew that Fred should not be President. All things happen for a reason.
God Bless his second wife and children.
May he rest in God’s eternal peace.
I great man from a small town. I supported in in 2008. He was the only one not willing to raise their hand to the phony threat of “global climate change”. May he R.I.P. and I pray his family is comforted in their time of grief.
Fred Thompson was a good man.
He got in too late to gain enough to win, but just enough to kill Hunter’s momentum. Proof is, he was last to join and nearly the first to drop out.
I am sure you meant he would would have been your choice had he not withdrawn, is that correct?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.