May 6, 2008
Posted: 09:25 AM ET

From
Fred Thompson joined John McCain on the campaign trail Tuesday.
Fred Thompson joined John McCain on the campaign trail Tuesday.

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina (CNN) — Fred Thompson made his first public appearance since dropping out of the presidential race Tuesday, using his conservative credentials to backstop a major speech Tuesday from presumptive Republican nominee John McCain on judicial appointments.

Thompson, seated behind McCain on stage and rocking back in his arm chair, grinned as McCain called him “an old and very dear friend” and made a few light-hearted references to Thompson’s acting resume.

“I know exam week involves some tough moments,” McCain told students in the audience at Wake Forest University. “Like when you're up at 3:00 a.m. and have to choose between studying or watching one of Fred's old movies.”

Aside from issuing a statement endorsing McCain, Thompson mostly dropped from public view following his loss in the South Carolina primary January 19, spending time with his family and re-signing with a talent agency.

Thompson’s appearance at McCain’s speech, along with that of former Solicitor General Theodore Olsen, was symbolically important for McCain, who is hoping to convince conservatives that he shares their philosophy on jurists. Thompson escorted Chief Justice John Roberts through the Supreme Court nomination process in 2005, and he regularly railed against “activist judges” on the campaign trail.

The former Tennessee senator began his day in Winston-Salem by eating breakfast with Olsen and McCain adviser Charlie Black. After the speech, Thompson will attend a fundraiser, then take a ride on the Straight Talk Express with McCain and reporters.

Filed under: Fred Thompson • John McCain


Chris, Middletown, CT   May 6th, 2008 11:17 am ET

As a Republican - I like Fred and John - but our party is damaged enough - I am voting to try something new - I have been contributing to Obama for a couple months - we need to heal the country - and he is exactly what we need now. We don't need right wing values….we need to work with the rest of the world….the only way John gets in office would be if the Dems were dopey enough to put Hillary up….and John knows this…thus the shots at Obama for nothing…

Larry   May 6th, 2008 11:17 am ET

Older and old. What a pair.

Rebecca   May 6th, 2008 11:18 am ET

Thompson needs to go back in acting behind the TV cameras. He isn't as good of an actor on the campaign trail. Ronald Reagan proved he could act just as well in politics and on stage. Thompson just doesn't have his acting down yet in the political theatre.

Herman in LA   May 6th, 2008 11:20 am ET

America Obama is the only candidate who can bring peace to the world

McCain has to be stopped at all cost he will destroy the world.

Obama will bring peace read here:
Nigeria oil rebels say mulling Obama truce appeal

http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKL0444578520080504

Women for Obama   May 6th, 2008 11:22 am ET

Doesn't Fred Thompson look like he wants to grow fangs and bite McCain? Even his own party is not impressed.

An American in Canada   May 6th, 2008 11:25 am ET

PICTURE CAPTION!

FRED THOMPSON ……."HOW THE HELL, DID THE REPUBLICANS VOTE FOR THIS GUY TO BE THEIR CANDIDATE, FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION?….

Anonymous   May 6th, 2008 11:27 am ET

This photo reminds me of two bags someone left on my front step one Halloween.

Ostriches burying our heads in the sand   May 6th, 2008 11:27 am ET

Sen. McCain's saying to the Wake Forest kids, "You know, I can be cool too"

Jane from Nevada   May 6th, 2008 11:30 am ET

Perfect combo.
Just a couple of 'Grumpy Old Men'.
Which one plays Walter Mathau?

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that McCain continues to surround himself with folks who share the same antiquated policies as he does. It cannot help him to be constantly photographed with others who also have one foot in…

mitchell   May 6th, 2008 11:31 am ET

when i found out thompson was a republican ,i quit watching old reruns of law and order….

Doug R.   May 6th, 2008 11:31 am ET

Fred who?? They both belong in a retirement home.

Griff   May 6th, 2008 11:32 am ET

If the Foundation's aren't sound. You can't build for the Future.. But who are the Corner Stone's???

Anonymous   May 6th, 2008 11:33 am ET

The real Beavis and butthead?

Dave W.   May 6th, 2008 11:34 am ET

In the picture you use of the two of them, it looks like Thompson is looking at something he doesn't like very much. Maybe Thompson realizes we are going to have another 4 years of Bush if McCain is elected.

Jed in Texas   May 6th, 2008 11:36 am ET

The real Beavis and Butthead,signing the D.C Madams last guest book?

Justin   May 6th, 2008 11:36 am ET

I hope Thompson is the VP pick, two old people who are have no clue what to do.

This side of the Mississippi   May 6th, 2008 11:39 am ET

Thompson looks like he wants to smack the crap out of McCain!
If looks could kill………

proud army and navy mom   May 6th, 2008 11:41 am ET

this is how clueless mccain is. ….george w put out word that mccain had fathered a child by a black woman,,,mccain was furious but still supports him..what kind of leader will this idiot be? he will kiss anyone's arse if he will get what he wants.

mccain, if you would concentrate on getting our troops out of iraq it would be greatly appreciated. oooh i forgot, 100 years is fine by you. spineless idiot

Kevin Leo (Jonesboro, GA)   May 6th, 2008 11:43 am ET

Talking about movies…

the caption for this photo should have read "Grumpy Old Men II - Dust to Dust"

Kat   May 6th, 2008 11:45 am ET

Fred always looks that way………..

Tim MN.   May 6th, 2008 11:46 am ET

Very Cool! All the problems in the world and this party ALWAYS stays united! The Democrats need to figure out who's in charge.

shelly in IL   May 6th, 2008 11:47 am ET

McCain stated "The troops are in Iraq for oil"…enough said!

Ben   May 6th, 2008 11:47 am ET

Like all the rest,I have nothing to say

STOP THE MADNESS   May 6th, 2008 11:49 am ET

They need somebody to tag alone with him to help keep him from telling secerts such as WE WENT TO WAR FOR OIL!, mind you oil that we have yet to see. Oil for the OILMEN bush and his side kick. these two should be impeached for trading our military, Iraqis' blood for oil money to fill their pockets while this nation can barely afford to put gas in their cars or heat their homes in the cold etc……

Clinton aint not better she voted for this war and now has flipped flopped to gain votes and feed voters heads with one lie after another she is JUST LIKE BUSH.

John Des Plaines, IL   May 6th, 2008 11:51 am ET

Sleepy and Grumpy reunited. Where are the other dwarfs?

Yemaya for Obama 08   May 6th, 2008 11:52 am ET

Please everyone go read teh news at the Huftington post, online, or the NY times on line, or LA times on line,
Obama is ahead in the polls, he also reached the goal of raising 1.50000 for our campaign, the people's leader…………..yes we can, no matter what ccn says…………….. he will be our presidentCNn please post my comments, you have not posted any of my comments, and if posted for a little you erase them.
I dont know also where you get this so called "\polls." like everything else you report is like reading the enquirer, please go read the Huftington Post, the NY times, or LA times on line, there you will find facts……………….
and news.. not gozzip!!! yes with a zzzzz

Pam   May 6th, 2008 11:54 am ET

McCain's right, Fred is old.

Oh my god   May 6th, 2008 12:00 pm ET

You people are pathetci… you make me SICK to my stomach. All you're good for is whining. It's YOUR FAULT this nation is unfolding, ITS YOUR FAULT we're at an ecnomic lull, Its YOUR FAULT you think the gas prices in america are high. Blame all of your problems on something or someone else, it can't possibly be because you have continously muddied the waters in which you swim. Socialism is as redundant as you so called "americans". And then you have the audicity to yell at whatever nominee you don't support in your party as being negative. You people are the worst type, hypocritical scum that add little to no value, all you're able to do cry and cry instead of do. DO SOMETHING… ANYTHING, just stop TALKING.

Semper Fidelis
Former defender, and I've lost site of why, because of you ingrates.

Will   May 6th, 2008 12:05 pm ET

It's nice to see the one sidedness from many posters. It's great to see that everyone here seems to have pronounced Obama our new messiah as well. What is this based on? Just because he delivers a great speech when he has cue cards does not mean he is the next messiah! I hear that Hamas has endorsed him as well…it's nice to know that Israel's enemy hopes he becomes President. I think it is very arrogant to believe that one man, Barack Obama, can bring peace to our world. Isn't this the same arrogance that left wing liberals feel about Republicans? And what will Obama do when Iran gets nukes…call them on the phone and ask them to stand down? Regardless of who we have as president there are Muslim extremists in this world who want to kill us Americans, and we can't change that attitude by delivering a nice speech or opening up a dialogue with them. Maybe FDR should have asked the Japanese to stop attacking us, or maybe Churchill should have talked with Hitler about his aggressive nature? What kind of world would be living in if that would have happened…

Keith   May 6th, 2008 12:06 pm ET

How exactly will Obama heal this nation? After a certain point in this campaign, I've grown tired of the same old speeches. Rhetoric, throughout history, has never fully healed a nation. Successful policies will heal a nation.

So far, Obama's demonstrated an enormous lack of successful policies. Jeez, how can we even expect the same man who trusted an loved Jeremiah Wright to heal anything? Sounds divisive to me…

Jody Reno, Nevada   May 6th, 2008 12:07 pm ET

BFD!

No McCain   May 6th, 2008 12:10 pm ET

I thought this man left for Hollywood…what i she doing back with McCain.

Lone Star Wolf   May 6th, 2008 12:11 pm ET

FINAL COMMENT FOR THE LONE STAR WOLF.

"OH WOE IS AMERICA. I CAN SEE IT NOW - REPUBLICANS, McCAIN-THOMPSON TICKET / DEMOCRATS, OBAMA-CLINTON TICKET,
PLEASE DEAR LORD SAVE US FROM IT ALL."

Mrs. Smith, San Diego CA   May 6th, 2008 12:11 pm ET

What a look of distain from Thompson to McCain…he's not bitter at all - ha.

Tom,des moines   May 6th, 2008 12:14 pm ET

People,please vote for Obama and Osama,who's really hate america.

Obama/Osama 08!

Sharon Minnesota   May 6th, 2008 12:19 pm ET

McCain is right about the appointment of judges. On many issues there needs to be a vote by the people and for the people as our constitution guarantees. Judges making life and death decisions should be limited in their power. The states should have more power in their own judicial systems. We are a government of laws that should not be circumvented by just a few people sitting in their ivory towers of the Federal government.

McCain is a moderate conservative and has good ideas in this regard. Dean is a liberal who views American as set up for bigger government where only a few liberals make decisions for the many. This is why the democratic party and the liberal media has by in large supported Barack Obama.

Clinton has her liberal stances that are tolerable. During the Bill Clinton years we had success in both economical, domestic and foreign policy challenges in America. I believe that Hillary holds the same ideals as Bill with a few exceptions..

Obama is way too far to the left on most issues. We need a moderate liberal in the White House and that is definitely not Sen. Obama.

Clinton first and then McCain. Not Obama. in 08

aliou salam Florida   May 6th, 2008 12:20 pm ET

another scare crow from his closet of oldies.

An Agnostic Democrat   May 6th, 2008 12:20 pm ET

Y-A-W-N.

Farrell, Houston, Tx   May 6th, 2008 12:24 pm ET

To John Des Plaines, IL in reference to sleepy and grumpy. The rest of the dwarfs have "old timers" and sleepy and grumpy forgot to invite them.

JC   May 6th, 2008 12:26 pm ET

Dear Senator McCain:

One advantage of picking Fred as your running mate is that he 'acts' much older than you do. He may be just acting, but you can do better with either Ron Paul or Romney. Collin Powell or Condi Rice would be excellent if they are willing. G.W. is really sincere in using qualified minorities and do not fire them and they don't die on job like Commerce Secretary Ron Brown did.

Bill fired his Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, because she talked masturbation in sex education. It's such a joke to have come from Bill. It's another for Hillary to criticize anybody for lying.

I am waiting to see you debate Obama.
It's going to be an easier choice, had it been Hillary.
But she isn't going to make it.

cory,fl   May 6th, 2008 12:27 pm ET

who cares about fred, if we did he would of gotten more votes

Kathryn Irby - Metairie, LA   May 6th, 2008 12:31 pm ET

Fred Thompson is the only individual more boring than John McCain–and George W. Bush!

Chip from Ohio   May 6th, 2008 12:36 pm ET

The scariest phrase in American politics in the last two weeks?

Excessive Profits.

Who defines that? If the government usurps the power from us and determines what excessive proftis are, we're all toast.

Think about it. Any bit of profits you earn above what the government determines is "acceptable" you have the honor of 'giving' to the gov't.

Once they do this to oil companies, the slope gets real slippery and every retailer and manufacturer will be next!

mk   May 6th, 2008 12:39 pm ET

A country as big as the US & this is the best the Republicans can come up with?

HILLARY WILL BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT   May 6th, 2008 12:41 pm ET

HILLARY HAS MORE INTELLIGENCE THAN BOTH OF THESE CLOWNS!

THIS IS WHY SHE WILL WIN!!!!!!

GO HILLARY GO!!!

TGO in Connecticut   May 6th, 2008 12:42 pm ET

Lets face it, America is sick of what the republicans have done to our country. Things in the last 20 years were good when the democratics were in office and bad when the republicans were…Need I say more???….GO BARAK!!!

aliou salam Florida   May 6th, 2008 12:42 pm ET

I can see a lot of ignorance on cnn with the likes of tom

God bless America: Obama will help us thru our ignorance

Milton, Harrisburg, PA   May 6th, 2008 12:43 pm ET

I think ol' Fred is thinking, I'd love to be V.P as long as I get to:

1) keep my daily nap on the davenport
2) retain my early-bird senior-citizen discounts when I eat at the local restaurants
3) keep my special Saturday-night Lawrence Welk rerun date night"
4) Give Samuel Alito lessons on how to act more like a judge.

I guess John McCain is considering Fred as V.P. as the token young, fresh-faced hip guy that will steal the young voters away from Obama in the Fall huh?

Larry Buchas   May 6th, 2008 12:45 pm ET

Vote Republican if you want the same failed policies of the last 7 years.

Vote for Hillary if you want the same partisan "don't accomplish anything" politics of the last 20 years.

Vote for Barack if you want to start a dialogue WITH EACH OTHER. And if you want to get this country back on the right track.

Independent-woman-voter-for-Obama   May 6th, 2008 12:54 pm ET

The Republicans just don't get it! YOU HAVE NEARLY BANKRUPTED OUR NATION WITH THIS ILL-BEGOTTEN WAR IN IRAQ! AND YOU WANT US TO GIVE YOU ANOTHER 4 YEARS………NO!

VOTE FOR CHANGE! VOTE OBAMA!

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ   May 6th, 2008 12:55 pm ET

This is really one of those events where McCain tries to tell social conservatives that he is with them on things. He might say, "Oh, don't believe that maverick name thing. I'm one of you guys." Is he really? I don't that he is much anything now. I have concerns that he would be too much like our current president who doesn't know enough about many things.

georgia   May 6th, 2008 12:56 pm ET

McCain needs someone nearby to keep his ?recall? on track. Where's the squeaky soundtrack,Lieberman, or is he being a Dem. today ??????

georgia   May 6th, 2008 12:57 pm ET

From the looks of this picture ,Fred's not happy being near the nominee.????

Carol   May 6th, 2008 1:02 pm ET

Might this mean there will be another sequel to Grumpy Olll…d Men?

SPQR753   May 6th, 2008 1:06 pm ET

WOW!!!!! Wwhat was that ? A geriatric conference???? What a laugh!!!

kathleen retired Professional w/woman for obama   May 6th, 2008 1:11 pm ET

Thompson is an idiot. Bush set him up to be another "Reagan"
and it didn't work! It was Bush that encouraged this idiot to run.
And don't get me started on Guilani and the other Rep. idiots.

White Independent   May 6th, 2008 1:13 pm ET

But in record numbers, you came out and spoke up for change. And with your voices and your votes, you made it clear that at this moment – in this election – there is something happening in America.
There is something happening when Americans who are young in age and in spirit – who have never before participated in politics – turn out in numbers we’ve never seen because they know in their hearts that this time must be different.
There is something happening when people vote not just for the party they belong to but the hopes they hold in common – that whether we are rich or poor; black or white; Latino or Asian; whether we hail from Iowa or New Hampshire, Nevada or South Carolina, we are ready to take this country in a fundamentally new direction. That is what’s happening in America right now. Change is what’s happening in America.
We are the ones we've been waiting for.

AJ, IL   May 6th, 2008 1:17 pm ET

It is amazing to see and compare the top 5 candidates in each party support the nominee (McCain) and front-runner (Obama). McCain has the support of Huckabee, Rudy, Fred, and Mitt, but not Paul. That's 4 out of 5!

Obama has the support of Richardson and Dodd, but not Edwards, Biden or Clinton yet. That's 2 out of 5!

What are you waiting for Joe Biden? Delaware voted for Obama already! Edwards what are you waiting for? If Obama wins, North Carolina, Edwards has no excuse but not endorse Obama.

kathleen retired Professional w/woman for obama   May 6th, 2008 1:36 pm ET

Why did CNN not report the "atrocities of the Clinton's? Google
Clintons and GOOGLE CLINTON OUTSOURCING!!!!! READ!
The adultery was nothing in comparision to what these two
people have done to our country. READ.

They sell our jobs WHILE CAMPAIGNING!!!!!And set Bill loose
at the White House and he won't have to walk far to "deal"
with the "foreign lobbyist" who pay to The Clinton's Personal Millions!
And Hillary can turn her fat head and say she didn't notice. They
are selling us and our jobs.

Farren Ballanst   May 6th, 2008 1:41 pm ET

Of course this is an audition for a role as McCain's V.P. They're calling it "Dull and Duller."

Pat Riot   May 6th, 2008 1:41 pm ET

All I see here are jokes about old people. Keep in mind that the largest voting group in the country is our seniors. Why don't you liberals discuss policy instead of cranking out mindless zingers on a CNN blog?

Ken   May 6th, 2008 1:42 pm ET

Wow. McCain and Thompson. Is that 'old' and 'older', or 'dumb' and 'dumber'?

I guess 'dumb' and 'dumber' will describe the two voters who actually vote for McBush.

The [R]s that Thompson represents are not conservative, they are right-wing. There is little that is truly conservative about right-wing [R]s — these people are selfish reactionaries in need of authoritarian guidance. If there is one thing worse than a left-wing reactionary it is a right-wing reactionary. I'm a [D], and I'll put up my conservative credentials any day against you neo-nuggets who continue to support Bush and know that McCain is just more of the same. That is, unless you construe "conservative" to mean continuing to do the SAME failed thing over and over again, hoping for a new outcome each time — but in my book, that's called insanity.

Fed_up2   May 6th, 2008 1:47 pm ET

Fed_up2 my limit with meaningless so called "News". What a waste of hard drive space!!

pj4521   May 6th, 2008 1:57 pm ET

What a great face to put front and center for the gop, my goodness, talk about no country for old men…LOL. On a serious note, is it true that the combined ages of the wives of these two gems don't equal that of either one of them on their own?

E. POWELL I MD, E POWELL MD II & ER. POWELL MD   May 6th, 2008 2:01 pm ET

WAR FOR OIL. BOMB,BOMB, BOMB IRAN. A PREACHER THAT FOR GOT RELIGION FREEDOM. THIS MAN STILL WANTS TO BE PRESIDENT.

Winghunter   May 6th, 2008 2:01 pm ET

Just look at all the little minds and even smaller brains of snivelers.

Fred Thompson offered change in 100% competency and ability where Obama or Clinton offers change in being completely incapable…just like their supporters.

Ken   May 6th, 2008 2:04 pm ET

Chip old buddy. You neo-nuggets really are precious aren't you….like listening to a baby speak its first words….cute, if you have no expectations of substance. I guess the best way to put this to the economically "challenged" is to put it in right-wing terms: "excessive profits" must be like "pornography" — everyone knows it when they see it. Now, as a supporter of your own so-called conservative judges and politicians, if you have no problem with our government regulating our personal choices regarding reading/viewing material, you certainly cannot have a problem with the government overseeing corporate profits. Or are you one of these [R] nitwits who is proud of your logical inconsistency! The problem is, you hypocritical right-wingers actually love "activist" judges and politicians, as long as thay are breaking the laws your way.

Uncle Sam   May 6th, 2008 2:09 pm ET

We would be wise to judge a candidate based on his actions over the course of a lifetime rather than his rhetoric over the course of a campaign.

kelly   May 6th, 2008 2:10 pm ET

POW vs Drug Dealer…America will make the right choice!

Nan   May 6th, 2008 2:11 pm ET

Oh, look! (chuckle, chuckle) McCain made a funny!

Marty   May 6th, 2008 2:27 pm ET

I guess the liberal ideology is alive and well. Call names, point fingers, and plead yourself as 'victims' of the mean Republicans. If that is all the better the liberals are, count me out. Name-calling went out with childhood. Or at least with some. If you have cricitism, at least be adult about it. Calling an elected official 'dumb' or 'stupid' or worse, only shows your own shallowness. I would not want to be an elected official. It is a sometimes dirty, almost always unappreciated job that only gets a leader more stress and sorrow than it can possibly be worth. I admire those, Democrat, Republican, and Independent, who decide it is worth it to serve the ungrateful. They all deserve our respect.

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