Actor Thompson Considers Role in Presidential Race

Not enough "star" power for Fred D. Thompson in a GOP presidential field that includes some of his friends? Whatever the case, the actor and former senator from Tennessee is considering getting into the 2008 race.

Thompson, who plays District Attorney Arthur Branch on NBC's drama "Law & Order," said yesterday, "I'm giving some thought to it, going to leave the door open," and said he would decide in the coming months. "It's not really a reflection on the current field at all," he said.

"I'm just going to wait and see what happens," Thompson added. "I wanted to see how my colleagues who are on the campaign trail do now -- what they say, what they emphasize, what they're addressing and how successful they are in doing that, and whether or not they can carry the ball in next November."

Thompson, 64, said he is pondering a run after former Senate majority leader Howard H. Baker Jr. and other Tennessee Republicans began mustering support for his possible GOP candidacy, citing his conservative credentials.

"I think people are somewhat disillusioned. I think a lot of people are cynical out there. I think they're looking for something different. . . . And I think that they're going to be open to different things," he said.

"It will be interesting to me as I listen to people and learn and watch what's going on and what's the reaction, and the poll numbers and so forth, as to whether or not my instinct on that is right."

Thompson said he is not setting a deadline to decide and believes he will not be at a disadvantage if he waits until summer. "The lay of the land will be different in a few months than it is today, one way or the other."

He added: "One advantage you have in not . . . having this as lifelong ambition is that if it turns out that your calculation is wrong, it's not the end of the world."