Thompson Takes the Plunge

Sept. 5, 2007 — -- Hours before his official Webcast statement hit the Internet, Fred Thompson announced he is running for President on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

"I'm running for president of the United States," Thompson told the late-night talk-show host.

While he was taping the show in Burbank, Calif., his eight GOP rivals were prepping for Wednesday's debate in New Hampshire, hosted by Fox News.

Thompson said he will "give this campaign all that I have to give" in his official announcement.

He also named his chief opponent: Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. In his 12-minute Webcast announcement, Thompson promises he can prevent "another Clinton victory."

"Our country needs us to win next year, and I am ready to lead that effort," Thompson says on his new campaign website, www.Fred08.com.

Thompson, the former Tennessee senator, is the ninth candidate to announce his candidacy for the Republican nomination.

For the last three months, a lawyer and former "Law & Order" actor, has tested a possible candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination, garnering mention in polls and headlines alike. The timing of his announcement seems to be more curious than the announcement. Eager supporters expected the former lawyer and "Law & Order" actor to announce near the Fourth of July – but, the holiday came and went without any fireworks from the Thompson camp. Friends of Fred - Thompson's testing-the-waters committee - reported less-than-hoped-for fundraising totals for its first month. A $5 million expectation was met by a $3.46 million reality, which included donations from two fundraising events and more than 7,500 online contributions from his former Web site, ImwithFred.com. The committee lost top staffers reportedly over organizational struggles with his wife and former GOP organizer, Jeri. A new manager, Bill Lacy, was shipped in from Kansas to the campaign's Virginia headquarters, overhauling the campaign's communication department and bringing in new staff.

"Clearly, there is less buzz than there was the start of the summer – but, his fate will be determined in the future, not so much in the past, " Republican Strategist Whit Ayres said. "His campaign still has enormous potential."

Thompson first publicly approached the possibility of becoming a candidate when he appeared on "Fox News Sunday" on March 11.

"I'm giving some thought to it. Going to leave the door open," Thompson told Chris Wallace in the interview.