Former Senator Fred Thompson, who plays the head of the District Attorney’s office on “Law & Order,” has now been cast as the point man on Supreme Court nominees.
U.S. President George W. Bush has named Fred Thompson, an actor and former senator, to help shepherd his yet-to-be named Supreme Court nominee through the Senate, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Wednesday.
Thompson, an actor on the television series “Law & Order,” agreed to accept the post in a telephone conversation with the president on Monday, McClellan said….
More of this bizarre AP story, below the fold.
He said Thompson would serve as an informal adviser to shepherd the nomination through the Senate.
“Senator Thompson will guide the nominee through the confirmation process,” McClellan said….
This is a job? “Shepherd” of a Supreme Court nominee? Is it just me, or am I the only who thinks this is less about his Senate experience — he served a term and half — than his charisma and well-crafted persona? Perhaps, it’s his legal experience, as God knows, we don’t have enough lawyers, in this country — particularly on Capital Hill.
I just don’t buy that this is about either Thompson’s minimal Senate or legal credentials. This is the opening salvo in a charm offensive, because, let’s face it, with credentials like “Die Hard 2” and “The Hunt For Red October” on his resume, that’s what Thompson brings to the table.