# Arthur Branch for POTUS? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 12, 2007, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613 "2007-03-12T15:53:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![want2know](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@want2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2know)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613/1 "2007-03-12T15:53:02Z")
[Fred Thompson considering run in 2008](http://www.postchronicle.com/commentary/article_21268410.shtml) Could this be what the GOP needs? Being a TV star, he could certainly generate a lot of crossover votes. As a trained actor, he definitely has an advantage in the debates. He’s handsome, well-spoken, has a distinguished bearing about him–what more could the party ask for? Anyone from Tennessee remember him as a Senator? How conservative is he? Could he appeal to both sides? Tell you the truth, if he wasn’t too right-wing, I’d consider voting for him over Hillary (who I personally can’t stand). What do you think? (I’ve posted this in CS since Thompson is on TV. Mods, feel free to move it if you think it’s more appropriate for GD.) ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613/2 "2007-03-12T17:28:39Z")
He’s handsome? He’s jowly. And baggy-eyed. He’s very conservative (which appeals to me, but probably won’t to many voters). StG ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613/3 "2007-03-12T17:31:18Z")
He wants to see Roe v Wade overturned. I like the guy as an actor, and as a registered Republican, I admire his _gravitas_, but he may be a bit too far right for all but the most extreme of the party. Still, we’ll wait and see. ---
**Author:** ![Caridwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@Caridwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caridwen)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613/4 "2007-03-12T17:31:30Z")
He’s only 64. Wow, I thought he was **much** older, like older than McCain. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613/5 "2007-03-12T21:28:14Z")
Just because something is on TV doesn’t make it fuel for Cafe Society. Hence, moved to GD. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613/6 "2007-03-12T22:57:40Z")
My WAG is the _L&O_ writers did Thompson the favor of giving him a character he wouldn’t have to stretch to play. Including, whenever he talks about his political views. IOW: Fred Thompson **is** Arthur Branch. FWIW. At least it means no surprises. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613/7 "2007-03-12T23:07:04Z")
I’d prefer a president Jack McCoy, myself. ---
**Author:** ![nameless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/779978/32.png) [@nameless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nameless)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613/8 "2007-03-12T23:42:15Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia] I’d prefer a president Jack McCoy, myself. [/QUOTE] Didn’t McCoy just start some group dedicated to founding or fostering centrism in American politics? He’s certainly become more involved of late. I really don’t like what I’ve seen of Thompson’s views. [CNN link](http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/03/12/thompson.ap/index.html) containing some of his positions. He’s for the surge, against gay marriage, and wants Libby pardoned now. I don’t think he’ll garner much support from the majority of the SDMB crowd (and he won’t get any from me either). As for the nation? I think Thompson can offer solid conservative beliefs. That and face recognition. Is it enough? I think Giuliani has a better shot. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613/9 "2007-03-12T23:53:28Z")
[QUOTE=want2know] [Fred Thompson considering run in 2008](http://www.postchronicle.com/commentary/article_21268410.shtml) [/QUOTE] AAAHHH the pop-up blocker – it does nothing!! ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613/10 "2007-03-13T00:35:42Z")
There have been two or three conservatives on this very board who have mentioned his name as someone they would like to see run. I know enough about his positions that I know I would never vote for him; that doesn’t mean he would be a bad president. Is he beholden to the religious right? ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613/11 "2007-03-13T00:37:42Z")
Both Thompson and Giuliani have one thing in common - they both are people who are largely trusted. They may not be as admired or liked for their specific views as some, but they both have a good habit of following through on their promises. I’d vote for either one, even if I disagree with the platform, simply because I beliebe they’d actually dotwhat they said. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613/12 "2007-03-13T00:38:09Z")
I could have sworn I read somewhere he was more moderate. Oh well. I do like him as an actor, though. ---
**Author:** ![want2know](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@want2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2know)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613/13 "2007-03-13T16:55:44Z")
[QUOTE=nameless] Didn’t McCoy just start some group dedicated to founding or fostering centrism in American politics? He’s certainly become more involved of late. I really don’t like what I’ve seen of Thompson’s views. [CNN link](http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/03/12/thompson.ap/index.html) containing some of his positions. He’s for the surge, against gay marriage, and wants Libby pardoned now. I don’t think he’ll garner much support from the majority of the SDMB crowd (and he won’t get any from me either). As for the nation? I think Thompson can offer solid conservative beliefs. That and face recognition. Is it enough? I think Giuliani has a better shot. [/QUOTE] Well, after checking out the link (and some news bites from yesterday), he certainly does seem too right-wing for my tastes. Definitely not what this country needs at this point. Too bad, because I really like the guy. Thanks for the input, citizens. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613/14 "2007-03-13T17:36:46Z")
Being “too far” to the right isn’t a weakness of Thomson. It’s a strength. Conservatives are something like 45% of the population and want a conservative to vote for. Many on the right aren’t pleased with the prospect of McCain or Rudy or Mitt. None are conservative enough for the base. Thomson has an interesting combination of conservative beliefs which the base will like and charisma which independants and swing voters will respond to. I like him. Hopefully he runs. ---
**Author:** ![stolichnaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@stolichnaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolichnaya)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613/15 "2007-03-13T17:39:14Z")
I have a friend who has worked with his campaign, who calls him a very impressive and moral individual. I disagree with his politics but due to my respect for my pal, I would not panic if we elected him. I am much more concerned at this point about incompetence and lack of concern for voters than I am about ideology. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613/16 "2007-03-13T18:36:53Z")
I’m with **stolichnaya** on this one. Thompson seemed to be an honorable man during the Clinton impeachment and was apparently taking no pleasure and trying for no personal advantage from the procedings, which was unusual among Republicans. Sure, it could’ve been him using his acting ability, but WHAT acting ability? ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613/17 "2007-03-13T20:01:13Z")
[QUOTE=Debaser] Conservatives are something like 45% of the population… [/QUOTE] Really? ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613/18 "2007-03-13T20:29:46Z")
Well, it’s a conservative estimate. ---
**Author:** ![stolichnaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@stolichnaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolichnaya)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613/19 "2007-03-13T20:36:44Z")
::chortle:: ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613/20 "2007-03-13T20:53:27Z")
[QUOTE=StGermain] He’s handsome? He’s jowly. And baggy-eyed. [/QUOTE] Not bad-looking for a man of 64. And he definitely can project _gravitas_ – the quality that shouts, “I’m a serious, solid authority figure!” (I can never watch W without feeling a bit of cognitive dissonance on that point – "WTF? This clown is a **president?")** [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613.md?page=2)