Former US Senator Fred Thompson (R-TN) will be a formidable candidate when and if he declares his candidacy for the Republican nomination for President.

The current crop of contenders in both major US political parties have more 'negatives' than 'positives' to many potential voters; and the risk to Thompson and others is that if NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg is willing to self-fund a 3rd party campaign for the presidency, Bloomberg could ultimately be much more successful than was Ross Perot in 1992, John Anderson in the 1980s, and Theodore Roosevelt back in the early 1900s.

Americans are crying out for true leadership devoid of overt partisanship, a restoration of America's friendships across the international arena, and an end to the quagmires of Iraq, Afghanistan, illegal immigration, costly and inefficient health care delivery, and deteriorating public education efficacy and results.

Edward B Woody Ryder, Greenlawn, USA/NY

It is amazing how America's looney lefties have already unleashed their visceral hatred on Fred Thompson. Once upon a time, those in both parties could disagree rationally and reasonably. Legislators could vigorously debate opposing views, and still dine together afterwards or go on family picnics. Such a pity that hate has trampled civility.

Bob Evans, Anaheim, California

You're right Paul. I live in Phoenix, AZ and John McCain is the CURRENT senior senator, despite all of his presidential campaigning. Who fact-checks these articles?

Kelly, Phoenix, AZ USA

Oh, please, Please, PLEASE run for President. I need you...We need you...This country needs you. You are the ONLY person for whom I could or would vote with a clear conscience. Please throw your hat into the non-existent ring of acceptable candidates. We all need your clear-eyed, no nonsense, straight forward way of doing what is needed to bring this country back from the brink.

Mary M. Carroll, Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Congresman Tom Tancredo has the most conservtive voting record of all the Presidential candidates followed closely by California Congressman Duncan Hunter.

Tancredo/Hunter in 2008!!

Sven, Portland,

As I read the Times article on Thompson I wondered why the American press couldn't report on candidates similarly, without obvious bias and snide sub texts. Until I mistook Edward Binns comment for part of the Times article. Mr. Libby was not only accused of a crime which he did not commit (exposing the identity of a CIA operative), the prosecutor knew he was innocent before Libby was even charged. Furthermore, Prosecutor Fitzgerald not only knew that Richard Armitage was the guilty party, but that Valerie Plame was not a covert operative and not even covered by the law under which Libby was being prosecuted! Politically driven by the need for a political scalp, Fitzgerald found Libby guilty of a process crime with no clear motive. Who lies to cover up their innocence? This is what the political left refers to as “social justice”, arbitrary justice with an agenda which, no surprise here, is always in lock step with the leftists. A simple pardon for Libby would not suffice.

E. McIntyre, Engadine, USA

John McCain is the CURRENT Senator from Arizona. The fact that he is dropping like a stone in the polls says a lot about the current mindset of the Republican party. Fred Thompson (a man who endorsed McCain in 2000, and has a reputation for laziness) smacks to me of desperation.

On talent and experience, the 2008 presidential election should probably be McCain v Biden; but, it will probably be Thompson (or Romney) v Hillary Clinton.

Sigh.

Then there is Bloomberg and Hagel on the horizon.....

Paul Busby, Newport, South Wales

Thompson would be good as president, but Ron Paul is still the best for the job.

Fenris, Birmingham,

Fred Thompson can reach beyond what Ronald Reagan did to bring this country together. He loves America and its ideals of freedom, democracy, and economic growth. His solid conservative actions will help this country grow beyond its partisan ways. He will have the cleanest administration.

p henry, charlottesville,

Fred Thompson is a breath of fresh air - He needs to surround himself with quality executives who "get" government and have laser focus on delivering results - with that in mind he gets my vote

Edward Moalem, San Mateo, California

Sometimes one would really like to throw out the labels of left and right and really go for the person who speaks common sense. Thompson may be best know to the wider public as an actor, but his real achievements were as first a lawyer and later a Senator. For both careers he was widely respected by his peers, regardless of party allegiance. He left the Senate by his own choice and his diversity of careers means that he is by no means a professional politician and bureaucrat. That is probably what makes him appealing to American voters and maybe to the wider world. Of course as time goes on, we will learn more about the man and his positionss.

JJ, Epsom, Surrey

Fred Thompson is not George Bush in Wolf’s clothing; he is a true conservative without a personal agenda. Mr. Thompson will bring a real-life view to the Whitehouse and will expect the US House and Senate to do likewise. Too many of today’s elected politicians have self-distorted outlooks on World problems and the United States needs someone to take the helm before the Democrats and self-severing Republicans ground the Ship of State in unfriendly waters. We need someone who will take a realistic point of view and back it up with facts and a hard-line of diplomacy and military resolve. Fred Thompson is that man!

Jerry Perry, Memphis, TN/USA

I know Fred Thompson.
He has been in our home.
He was our Senator from Tennessee and he will make a great President.
He will provide the leadership that will take our country in the right direction.

Bill Cloar, Dyersburg, Tennessee

welcome to an american mess. Think you can clean up?

Chris, Lynchburg, VA

A very average senator who did nothing and then left politics to become an actor. Sounds like the perfect resume for a Republican president.

At least RR got it the right way round!

This shows you how poor the Republicans are.

F.S.Summers, N.Y.,

Oh, Edward, so America should instead gamble on the executive experience of Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama?

Because Fred Thompson, an adult conservative, is the only one who can defeat Hillary.

Michael Grable, Silver Spring, MD/USA

Fred Thompson is George Bush with speaking ability.
We Americans want change, that part he got right, but not just in the name of the President.
We want someone who would give their life if need be for our inherant civil rights, and our honor, and stand up to the vested interests, and the religious fundlementalists that threaten to overwhelm the nation.
Fred Thompson is NOT that man.

If I were to support a Republican, I would back Senator John McCain, who is basically conservative, fiscally and moderate socially. A genuine military hero(not someone who didn't serve or never left the southwest), a man who has stood up and raised his voice at how badly the war was being conducted, how we treated prisioners in our custody. A man who has stood up to the big corporations and the money machine that politics has become.

Fred Thompson has done none of these things and his popularity will not last past December.

Joshua, Buckeye, USA

Fred Thompson has said, in a speech to a recent gathering of conservatives, that he can't wait to issue a pardon to "Scooter" Libby.

I guess equal justice for all isn't a conservative value.

My view is that America's conservatives, desperate to escape the fundamentalist madhouse of "W," are trying to win with an actor, the way Reagan finally took over from Goldwater after spending 16 years elbowing the Republican establishment behind.

Uh. Thompson isn't a young man. Where are the hand-written radio speeches, the candid thoughts away from the teleprompter? If he's actually the proper successor to Reagan, where are the "Reagan Diaries" showing a deep commitment that abides for decades?

Or is Thompson the truly souless posturing actor that Reagan was falsely accused of being? Borrowing $2 every day day and mired in a bloodbath of a colonial occupation, I doubt America can afford to gamble on this hypocritical man utterly lacking in executive experience.

Edward Binns -USA Federalist, Hot Springs, USA/South Dakota

SIr,

Clearly this is the next President of the U.S.
Good luck dear Senator Thompson.

ROSS HENRY, LONDON,

Is it just me or does Thompson look like the Green Goblin from Spider-Man, in the picture the Times provided above.

Kamal Singhrao, Sonoma, (Brit Expat), California/USA

"Mr Thompson, by contrast, is expected to run as a more conventionally conservative candidate. But he is also seeking to distance himself from the unpopular incumbent president, George Bush."

There's no "but" to it. George Bush has made it crystal clear, repeatedly, that he is *not* a Conservative.

Bill Faith, Lawrenceville, IL