Fred Thompson - Law and Order or Chaos?

"After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood." Fred Dalton Thompson

Annnnddd ACTION! Ladies and Gentlemen, you know him, you love him as the compassionately conservative New York DA Arthur Branch of TV's "Law and Order." Now we present Fred Thompson in his next starring role: Republican Presidential Candidate.

You have to admit, Fred Thompson made his grand entrance into the Republican presidential race with pitch perfect timing and consummate media savvy.

He trumped his fellow candidates' public group appearance, first by ignoring their televised debate and then playing his entertainment insider ace ... announcing his candidacy on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

It's Ronnie Reagan all over again. In more ways than one. Fred's wife Jeri seems to carry as much weight with Fred as Nancy Reagan did with Ron.

But at 40, blonde hottie Jeri Thompson has been called the 65 year old Thompson's trophy wife. She may be 25 years younger but word's out she's a major force in the Fred08 game plan.


Steve Helber/Associated Press

Staffers say she's tough and impatient, one anonymously sniping, "Everything for her is at Defcon."

Think about that a minute.

We've had Barbara Bush, Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush, each in her own way a formidable wife and partner.

Notwithstanding Bar's outspokenness, Nancy's polished sophistication, Hillary's hyper-intelligence and Laura's quiet strength, each chose to stand in her husband's considerable shadow.

Tough cookie or not, one wonders if Jeri Thompson, with her youth, her flowing blonde locks and conspicuous cleavage is really First Lady material. Is she willing to stand in Fred's shadow. Young wife, old husband -- you do the marital math.

Regardless, watch out for Fred. Don't take him lightly. And not because he's a heavyweight. No matter his policy statements, his stands on the issues, his experience or his connections, Fred Thompson is a definite contender.

You know why.

The American public has shown itself to be so overwhelmingly enamored of Celebrity it is dangerously unable to separate fact from fiction, nitwits from newsmakers (though sometimes they are the same) and more important, serious real life situations from insipid soap operas.

So who will they decide to support? One of same tired pols from the GOP pack or that bastion of strength and defender of freedom, that safe, confident winner ... Arthur Branch?

You know who.

And God help us all if this pro-life, pro-gun, pro-tobacco, pro-war, Right Wing good ole boy has a chance to be a real politician just because he plays one on TV.