Bush names Thompson to Shepherd Supreme Court Justice Nominee thru Senate

[Drbio]

Damn solid move by Dubya. Thompson is well respected on both sides of the aisle.

GLENEAGLES, Scotland (AP) -- President Bush has named former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson to help shepherd his yet-to-be named Supreme Court nominee through the Senate, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Wednesday.

Thompson, a Republican and actor on the NBC television series "Law & Order," agreed to accept the post in a telephone conversation with the president on Monday, McClellan said.

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.

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor surprised Washington last Friday by announcing her retirement from the high court after 24 years, giving Bush his first opportunity to name a new justice.

Court watchers were expecting such an announcement from Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, who is 80 and afflicted with thyroid cancer.

Thompson, 62, retired from the Senate in 2002 to continue an acting career.

He has appeared in the movies "The Hunt for Red October," "Cape Fear," and "In the Line of Fire."

He was elected to the Senate in 1994 to fill the remainder of the term left vacant by Democrat Al Gore's resignation. Thompson was easily re-elected in 1996, but announced in 2002 that he would not seek a second full term.

Ed Gillespie, former Republican National Committee chairman, also will help the administration push Bush's nominee. He is expected to help with strategy, lobbying and news media relations.