Fred Thompson: The Phantom of the Debate

by Ericka Andersen (More by this author)
Posted: 06/06/2007

A phantom stood behind an invisible podium in the New Hampshire Republican debates last night. But unlike the first two debates, no one tried to pretend former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson wasn’t a key player in the 2008 presidential race.

It was another Thompson who introduced Fred to the audience by saying he was, “Thompson -- Tommy -- not the other one.”

Some say the stalling to officially announce a candidacy could be crippling to fundraising while others insist it is downright smart. Nevertheless, the silence was a golden emphasis of Fred Thompson’s near-prominence in the race last night.