Senator Is Moved to Seek Reelection

Republican Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee said Monday that he had been leaning against running for reelection until the terrorist attacks convinced him that “now is clearly not the time to leave.”

“Seeing all that happen and all those people looking for ways to contribute when I had one right here before me in my lap, so to speak, it became obvious,” he said in announcing he would seek a second full term next year.

Thompson’s announcement ended months of speculation and worry for national Republican leaders, including President Bush. They wanted Thompson to run so time and money wouldn’t be spent defending an otherwise safe seat in a year when Republicans must defend 20 of the 34 seats on the ballot.

Democrats now have a one-seat edge in the Senate, and Strom Thurmond, Phil Gramm and Jesse Helms, all prominent Republicans, have announced plans to retire. Thompson said those retirements “made it a little tougher to leave.”

Thompson, 59, who serves on the Senate Government Affairs and Select Intelligence committees, said he received numerous calls and letters before and after the Sept. 11 attacks urging him to run.

“I had a couple of days there where I was convinced in my own mind I’d probably not run again,” he said. “I enjoy the Senate, but . . . we spend an awful lot of time on things that are not as important as we try to make out like they are--and not enough time on important things. I think all that’s changed now.”

Thompson, who has criticized previous administrations for not doing enough to protect the nation, said there is a possibility of further attacks, including biological ones.

“We need to remain concerned, but that does not mean we need to cower or go indoors or play into our enemy’s hands by letting our economy tank,” he said.

Thompson was elected to the Senate in 1994 to serve out the remainder of Democrat Al Gore’s term.