Star of Many Screens

Fred Thompson now appears on computers

WITHOUT raising a dime in donations, and with a campaign headquartered at his dining-room table, former senator Fred Thompson has landed in the top tier of candidates for the Republican presidential nomination. He has deftly used the Internet to call attention to his policy pronouncements, and to communicate with conservatives who are promoting his candidacy. Some observers speculate that Thompson will launch a wholly unorthodox Internet-centered campaign when he makes a formal announcement in early July. And some pundits caution that he can’t beat the “too lazy” rap against him by campaigning via webcam from his comfortable, book-lined study. These predictions underestimate the 64-year-old veteran politician and actor. Although the Thompson campaign will make aggressive use of the Internet, the candidate can be expected to do the conventional retail politicking that the nomination process demands.

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Kate O'Beirne

Fred Thompson now appears on computers

WITHOUT raising a dime in donations, and with a campaign headquartered at his dining-room table, former senator Fred Thompson has landed in the top tier of candidates for the Republican presidential nomination. He has deftly used the Internet to call attention to his policy pronouncements, and to communicate with conservatives who are promoting his candidacy. Some observers speculate that Thompson will launch a wholly unorthodox Internet-centered campaign when he makes a formal announcement in early July. And some pundits caution that he can’t beat the “too lazy” rap against him by campaigning via webcam from his comfortable, book-lined study. These predictions underestimate the 64-year-old veteran politician and actor. Although the Thompson campaign will make aggressive use of the Internet, the candidate can be expected to do the conventional retail politicking that the nomination process demands.