Fred Thompson for president?
Posted: Friday, March 09, 2007 3:04 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under:
Republicans
From NBC's Andrea Mitchell
Former Majority Leader Howard Baker (R) confirms he has been calling GOP friends to drum up support for his old Watergate committee protégé Fred Thompson -- to run for president. Thompson, one of John McCain's original supporters in 2000, has not disavowed the effort.
Baker says Thompson has told him the drawback is that he has two small children -- but Baker will continue trying to build support for Thompson until the former senator tells him to stop. Which he hasn't. Baker told me: "I called him up -- and said I'm going to plant the seed that you ought to run for president. He told me that he has two small children at home. But I'm going to keep sending up balloons until he tells me not to, and he hasn't."
Why would Baker -- a former McCain supporter -- try to launch Thompson -- another former McCain supporter? Are they dissatisfied with McCain's candidacy? Baker wouldn't bite: "The reason to do it is Fred's a capable person and a longtime friend who would be a good president."
Baker added that McCain called him about his endorsement, but Baker told him he's not ready to endorse anyone yet. Baker has known McCain since the Arizona senator was a returned POW and Navy aide assigned to the Senate. But Baker's wife, former Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker, is supporting McCain, an old friend.