Fred Thompson, the former Republican senator from Tennessee, should throw his hat into the presidential race soon, said political science professor John Geer.

"He needs to put together a campaign team and fundraising, and the sooner he does, the better," Geer said. "While someone like Vice President Gore, who has more financial contributors, can afford to come out later, Thompson should jump in earlier if he wants to be more successful than Gore."

Thompson was elected to finish Gore's final two terms as Tennessee senator in 1994 and was easily re-elected in 1996, but did not seek re-election in 2002.

Thompson, who grew up in Lawrenceburg, Tenn., and received his law degree from Vanderbilt in 1967, has hinted that he will consider a 2008 presidential bid.

A former lobbyist for General Electric and Westinghouse, Thompson has also acted, appearing in the 1985 film "Marie," in which he played himself. Thompson went on to play many roles that personified government positions, including a stint on "Law and Order."

Geer said that though he will enter later in the game, the dark horse candidate may have a chance.

"I think he'd be very formidable, both in the primaries and the general election," Geer said. "You don't know for sure if someone like that will win, but he'd be a tough candidate to beat."

Geer also said he thinks Thompson has more appeal than the other Republican candidates based on his record.

"He's going to appeal to the base of the Republican party, he's very articulate, has good name recognition, and could get cross over from Democratic votes as well," Geer said.
"He hasn't shown a burning desire to be president, so he seems to be above politics. He'd be a very serious contender."

However, just last Wednesday, Thompson announced on "Your World with Neil Cavuto" on the Fox News Channel that he had been diagnosed with lymphoma, an incurable but treatable form of cancer.

"I have had no illness from it, or even any symptoms," he said on the program. "My life expectancy should not be affected. I am in remission, and it is very treatable with drugs if treatment is needed in the future - and with no debilitating side effects."

Geer said that the illness has not hurt his electoral chances.

"I think he got it out there now to control the story," Geer said. "I don't think the reaction has been terribly negative."

Geer went on to point out that other high-profile figures have also come out recently with their own conditions, most prominently John Edwards' wife Elizabeth Edwards.

"Certain forms of it, such as what he as, are quite treatable, so I don't think of it as being a problem for him," Geer said.