Republican and Conservative political analysis and commentary

Today's edition of The Daily Fred begins in London, England, where the London Sunday Telegraph reports that some of the closest allies for former President Ronald Reagan "are throwing their weight behind the White House bid by the late president's fellow actor, Fred Thompson."

The film star and former Republican senator from Tennessee will this week use a speech in the heart of Reagan country, in southern California, to woo party bigwigs in what insiders say is the next step in his coming out as a candidate.

A key figure in the Reagan inner circle has now given his seal of approval to Mr Thompson, best known as a star of the television crime drama Law and Order. As deputy chief of staff, Michael Deaver was a key member of the "troika" of aides who kept the Reagan White House on track. With the chief of staff James Baker and special assistant Ed Meese, he was the master of image and presentation. Mr Deaver sees the same raw material in Mr Thompson as was perceived in Ronald Reagan, describing him as someone "that could really make a difference". He added: "He is very popular in his party. He could change this whole thing and turn this primary system upside down.

Could? Already is. Check the polls. And watch the announced candidates in the race try to adjust to Thompson's challenge even before he runs.

Meanwhile, Thompson will headline the Connecticut Republican Party's annual fundraising event in May, reports The Politico:

Thompson will have a chance to strut his stuff before some of his party's biggest donors -- and presumably a few Bush family cousins -- on May 24 at the Prescott Bush Dinner in Stamford. The Tennessean is ramping up his political travel schedule a bit, as he will give a similar speech to Virginia Republicans at their fundraising gala in June.   

...Now, onto the rest of today's Daily Fred...

...Here's video from the "Draft Fred" rally Saturday in Cookeville, Tennessee. And a good time was had by all.

...The American Spectator catches the media downsizing the size of the Cookeville rally crowd. (At link: third item, scroll down.)

...Thompson said Friday he favors helping the Iranian people overthrow the government of Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad if the chance arises.

Many Iranians don't like their government, "and I think we ought to capitalize on that," Thompson told The Associated Press. "There is a chance they may mobilize themselves, and we need to assist them if that happens."

Thompson accused Tehran of "playing a larger part in killing our soldiers" in neighboring Iraq.