Not quite a campaign speech

NEWPORT BEACH — Actor and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson told a crowd of Republicans on Friday night many things they liked — taxes are too high, America is up to the challenges of globalization, and national security is of paramount importance — but not the one thing some of them hoped to hear: that he’s running for president.

Thompson’s speech at the Orange County Lincoln Club’s annual dinner at the Balboa Bay Club was anticipated, at least until earlier this week, as a possible venue for him to officially announce his candidacy for the GOP nomination in 2008.

The sellout crowd of more than 500 local Republicans received Thompson warmly, frequently applauding and laughing, and rising to their feet at the end of the talk.

Thompson stayed away from specifics, but he did touch on immigration as it relates to border security, saying, “I don’t think the 12 million illegal aliens that are here are as much a concern to people as the next 12 million and the next 12 million … ad infinitum.”

America has the best medical system in the world, but it’s too expensive, and that needs to be addressed, as do the looming problems of Medicare and Social Security costs, he said.

He argued for completing the U.S. mission in Iraq, saying the worst-case scenario is that it will become a new haven for terrorists.

“There’s going to be a day after, even if we leave under the best of circumstances,” Thompson said. “When we do, we’re going to find a world that’s still very dangerous, and we’re going to have to answer the question, ‘What is America’s role in the world now?’ ”

The welcome Thompson received doesn’t mean he won everyone over.

Newport Beach City Councilman Keith Curry said he’s still backing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, but he could support Thompson if he is the party’s nominee.

To Newport Beach Mayor Steve Rosansky, who attended with Boy Scouts from his troop, it’s simply too early to pick a candidate.

Thompson might as well be running, so did he look presidential?

Lincoln Club member Dale Dykema thought not.

“He’s got some work to do,” said Dykema, a Newport Beach businessman.

He’s guessing Thompson will spend more time vetting his prospects before he announces his candidacy — if he announces at all.

Thompson appeals to conservative voters more than GOP front runners Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City; Romney; and Arizona Sen. John McCain, Dykema said. And Thompson’s star power has also drawn Republicans to him.

If Thompson does run, Red County magazine editor Scott Graves said, he’ll be able to draw support from other GOP candidates, in part because some have already hit their campaign contribution limits to those other candidates.

Also, Graves said, “If a guy like this enters the race, he’s so dynamic [that] it’s a whole different ballgame.”