Topic: Fred Thompson (Politician)

Decoder Wire
Might Ben Affleck try leap from Hollywood to US Senate? So far, he's cagey.

The actor and director says he's 'happy being involved from outside in government.' But Ben Affleck didn't exactly put the kibosh on talk about a possible run for John Kerry's Senate seat.

Wisconsin: Tammy Baldwin helps Democrats retain US Senate seat (+video)

Former US Rep. Tammy Baldwin becomes the first openly gay member of the US Senate after defeating former Gov. Tommy Thompson.

Why has the Wisconsin Senate race tightened?

A Marquette University Law School poll released Wednesday shows former Gov. Tommy Thompson (R) leading US Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D) 46 to 45 percent among likely voters in Wisconsin.

Tommy Thompson in Wisconsin lifts GOP hopes for US Senate takeover

Before he won Wisconsin's Senate primary Tuesday, Tommy Thompson led Democrat Tammy Baldwin in a hypothetical matchup by 5 points, a poll showed. This marks the former governor's reentry into politics.

Stakes high for GOP as Wisconsin voters settle on a Senate matchup

Wisconsin has an open US Senate seat, and Republicans hope to pick it off on their way to a takeover of the upper chamber. Voters decide Tuesday which of four candidates will carry the GOP banner into the fall election.

Chapter & Verse
12 days of disaster that changed Chicago forever

Author Gary Krist looks back at 1919 and the blimp crash, murder, and race riot that made the Chicago the metropolis we know today.

Next stop South Carolina: Can Romney's train keep chugging ahead?

If the trend so far in the primaries has been for Republican voters to vote for Mitt Romney with their heads and not with their hearts, some in conservative South Carolina are saying: 'Not so fast.' Most evangelical leaders meeting in Texas Saturday voted to back Rick Santorum.

Evangelical leaders try to unite behind Rick Santorum

Evangelical leaders want to use whatever clout they have to help a strong conservative advance in South Carolina’s primary, upsetting frontrunner Mitt Romney, who is viewed as too moderate.

Unmanned drone attacks and shape-shifting robots: War's remote-control future

The Pentagon already includes unmanned drone attacks in its arsenal. Next up: housefly-sized surveillance craft, shape-changing 'chemical robots,' and tracking agents sprayed from the sky. What does it mean to have soldiers so far removed from the battlefield?

GOP presidential debate fallout: Is Mitt Romney becoming inevitable?

At Tuesday's GOP presidential debate, Mitt Romney fielded questions deftly, attacked when given an opening, and stayed out of jab-fests. Contenders so far haven't knocked him off stride.

The Vote
Latest poll: Is Rick Perry now a shoo-in?

A just-published Gallup poll shows Rick Perry as his party's front-runner. Mitt Romney trails in second, and Ron Paul has leapt passed Michele Bachmann, landing him in third.

Next, Iowa straw poll: Why it matters to GOP presidential candidates

Six candidates are actively competing in the Iowa straw poll on Saturday. Those who fare poorly may find that fundraising dries up. Those who do well may see an infusion of campaign cash.

Will Rick Perry join the presidential race?

Supporters are urging Texas Gov. Rick Perry to seek the GOP nomination for the 2012 presidential race. He's fueled speculation by making high-profile appearances around the country.

City of big shoulders: Mayors past

A look back at some of the men and one woman who have led Chicago from the mayor's office.

Michele Bachmann discusses 2012 presidential caucus, US debt with Iowa audience

Michele Bachmann was born in Iowa, where the first caucus in the 2012 presidential primary race will take place. Now a Minnesota congresswoman, Michele Bachmann took her tea party message to Iowa late last week.

The 10 weirdest political ads of 2010

From demon sheep to witchcraft denials, this has been one crazy election season. And nowhere has the looniness been more on display than in the candidates' carefully crafted TV spots. Here is our list of the top 10 weirdest ads of 2010.

March Madness: What's Obama's bracket look like?

President Obama correctly picked the NCAA champ last year. What's Obama's bracket look like this year

The Vote
Gallup poll: Obama in statistical tie against anyone else for 2012 presidency

The Vote
Obama wants Super Bowl decided by negotiation?

President Obama is hosting a Super Bowl party tomorrow and former Senator Fred Thompson said Obama wants it decided by negotiation.

Skeptics dominate hearing on Guantanamo detainees in Illinois

Federal and state officials faced hard questions and some jeers at a public hearing on the proposed transfer of Guantanamo detainees to a prison in northwest Illinois.

Bright Green
E-waste recycling – are solutions near?

Electronic waste is the fastest-growing part of the municipal waste stream, but e-waste recycling lags. Various solutions have been proposed.

Mayoral election results: incumbents squeak by

Boston, New York, and Detroit reelected their mayors. But in some other cities, the mayoral election results mean that a runoff will take place.

After leaving New York race, Scozzafava backs a Democrat

Republican Dede Scozzafava's decisions to drop out of the race for New York's 23rd congressional district and endorse a Democrat raise questions about what place moderates have in the GOP.

New York House race lays bare Republican infighting

Many national conservative figures are supporting the Conservative Party's Doug Hoffman in a New York special election. Republican Dede Scozzafava is seen as too liberal.

Republicans going rogue in upstate New York

A New York congressional election, featuring a third-party conservative challenging the Republican nominee, tests the future of the GOP. Will the Tea Party insurgency prevail?