The Stealth Presidential Campaign of Fred Thompson

The Presidential race of 2008 may mark a new high water mark in the influence of the new media. In 2006, Senator George Allen's incumbency re-election bid was derailed by an aggressive spoiler campaign of attacks waged on youtube by Democratic freelance operatives. No one remembers Allen's distinguished career, all that is remembered is the word "makaca," and the inability of Allen's campaign to rid themselves of the pesky political paparazzi.

Fred Thompson is not just playing footsie with the intent to declare his candidacy; he is working a new media strategy. If and when he declares, a host of new problems will present themselves, not the least of which is complying with the McCain-Feingold election reforms. Fred voted for this bill, and now he could be hoisted on his own petard. The financial accountability required by this act, in effect, requires a full time staff of lawyers and accountants just to shepherd compliance. The constraints placed upon donations invokes a huge list of subtle discriminations. For instance, when is a speaking fee a campaign donation? As a private citizen, Giuliani regularly commands speaking fees in excess of one hundred thousand dollars. This is his largest source of income, which last year exceeded 16 million dollars in total. By establishing such a career as a speaker, independent of a run for the presidency, a candidate may legitimately claim such fees, outside of the campaign finance structure. Is appearing in a national TV series as a actor a political contribution in an era when celebrity status and name recognition are the first high bar of national office? In a much commented upon move, Fred Thompson has announced that he will not be an actor on NBC's hit crime drama, Law and Order, next season. This clears the decks for other roles.