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Pondering President Thompson
 By Tom Shoop | Monday, September 24, 2007  |  04:34 PM

Has Fred Thompson's entry into the presidential race got you wondering what a Thompson administration might look like? From a federal management perspective, it's an interesting question. Thompson would come into the job with a relatively large amount of experience in overseeing government operations, since he chaired the committee formerly known as Senate Governmental Affairs.

In an Aug. 2001 column in Government Executive, Paul Light, now a New York University professor and then a vice president at the Brookings Institution, took a look at Thompson's tenure, taking note of his presidential prospects. At that point, the senator was weighing whether to run for another Senate term (he ultimately decided not to). Thompson, Light wrote, "will have to wait for 2008 to mount his own run for the presidency. Had Gore won the 2000 election, Republicans already would be coalescing around Thompson as a front-runner for 2004. He has all the populist credentials of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., without the temper and quirkiness."

Then actor-turned-legislator, Light also noted, has "done his share to make the federal government work. He has been a tireless watchdog of agency mismanagement, but has avoided the gimmickry that has characterized so much Republican rhetoric on fraud, waste and abuse." His report on federal management, Government at the Brink (Volume 1 and Volume 2), Light wrote, "did more than just inventory the problems .... It also provided an easily accessible analysis of causes and solutions, most notably the projected retirement of between a third and a half of the federal workforce."

So what's Thompson saying today? Here are the bullet points from his campaign Web site on the subject of "Government Effectiveness":

I am committed to:
  • Attracting and rewarding the best Americans to serve in government and ensuring they have the authority and resources needed to get the job done.
  • Fixing government accounting so tax dollars are properly spent and the American people know exactly what they are being spent on.
  • Improving government performance by making agencies accountable for accomplishing their missions on time and within budget.
  • Ensuring information technology systems are secure and that they give our government the capacity and effectiveness to get the job done.


Comments


This is a fine article of information about Fred not found elsewhere. That cinches it, if I had any doubt before, now I know this man is the best candidate, with the most excellent background and knowledge to lead America now!Let's just do it FRED in '08

j fraser  | Thursday, September 27, 2007 |  02:02 AM


It's one thing to say agencies have the authority to make reforms and another to have the managers in place to lead the effort. Reform definitely means pay for performance, outsourcing work to the private sector, and using technology smarter. The size of the federal workforce must shrink and become more productive for the American taxpayer. It's also unproductive to blame everything on the executive branch -- Congress appropriates the money for all the shameful pork in the budget. We need a leader and maybe Thompson is it.

Michael  | Wednesday, September 26, 2007 |  08:29 AM


Charlotte,
Are you kidding me? Haven't you been paying attention for the past 7 years. The GOP has grown the government more than anyone in recent history and talk about interference! They want to tell you who you can marry, who you can sleep with (unless its one of them cheating on their wives or picking up strangers in a bathroom) and if you should have a child. They want to listen in on your phone calls, read your emails and be able to search your home at the drop of a hat. Give me a break! FT is no different than the rest. Remember, this is a guy who gave defense counsel advice to the bombers of the Pan Am flight that was blown up over Scotland.

KAS  | Wednesday, September 26, 2007 |  12:32 AM


As a retired Fed law enforcement exec, I find Senator Thompson's intellect, temperment, integrity and understanding of the issues facing this country to be very refreshing. I recently met him and came away convinced he is the right person to lead our country.

John  | Tuesday, September 25, 2007 |  03:40 PM


Fred it like a old volcano. Everyone thinks he is harmless. His easy-going style and steady-as-she-goes approach just doesn't fit the media's idea that a candidate has to jump at every chance and spit out the sound bites. Fred is confident enough to know who he is and how to proceed with the right kind of disposition. His knowledge runs deep and the lava deep inside is hot and ready to blow the top off the pre-conceived notions of the insta-pundidts. Fred will easily exceed the low expectations they have created for him.

GW  | Tuesday, September 25, 2007 |  12:09 PM


Please note that this article is very general. No one is going to say they do NOT support these things!
Attracting and rewarding the best Americans to serve in government and ensuring they have the authority and resources needed to get the job done.
Fixing government accounting so tax dollars are properly spent and the American people know exactly what they are being spent on.
Improving government performance by making agencies accountable for accomplishing their missions on time and within budget.
Ensuring information technology systems are secure and that they give our government the capacity and effectiveness to get the job done.

However, if FDT was Pres, would he require "Pay for Performance" to be used at all agencies? Would he ignore the current discrimination that occurs? Would he expand the push to contract out government jobs? Would he increase the number of political appointees? (I believe there are too many at present.) Would he force EEOC and OPM to work together instead of issuing contradictory guidance? Would he push government to stop giving contracts to companies known to overcharge? (Haliburton, etc) Would he push for results instead of the usual government blather about "plans"?

The article gives Thompson a "pass" without informing us how he would change government.

Charleen  | Tuesday, September 25, 2007 |  09:46 AM


Fred knows many parts of our federal government need overhauling to function properly. Thanks for bringing attention to the positives changes a Fred Thompson presidency would bring.

Joan  | Monday, September 24, 2007 |  11:48 PM


This and more is exactly why I support FT, although the libs will conveniently ignore these reasons, mostly because it will shrink the size and interfereance of the federal government, heaven forbid that people should find out that they don't need liberal democrats to wipe their butts.

CHARLOTTE HETZLER  | Monday, September 24, 2007 |  09:10 PM


Thank you for a great sneak peak at what part of an FDT administration would be like. Go Fred - Beat Hillary!

FRedStates  | Monday, September 24, 2007 |  08:59 PM


thank you for a wonderful article about FDt...and you're right!

janet ney

janet ney  | Monday, September 24, 2007 |  05:27 PM



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Government Executive Editor Tom Shoop takes a look at news and events affecting the federal bureaucracy, from the perspective of a longtime observer of government.

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