The onetime senator from Tennessee is known to many Americans for playing New York District Attorney Arthur Branch on "Law & Order" and an admiral in the film "The Hunt for Red October." But his real-life record as a no-nonsense lawmaker who also served as the minority counsel to the Senate Watergate committee is appealing to party activists dissatisfied with the current crop of Republican hopefuls.

I'm not sure "President Fred" has quite the ring to it, but if he steps in, he's probably the instant front runner for the red team. He hasn't been in government during the Bush administration so he's not polluted by that and everyone already has seen his face. Money may be an issue, but...

If he throws in, I think he gets the nomination walking away.