Senator moonlighting as TV DA
Thompson takes 'Law & Order' role
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Although he won't retire from office until Jan. 3, Thompson already is appearing as a regular cast member of the NBC skein. There has been almost no buzz about Thompson's dual gig, perhaps because the politico wants it that way.
Washington watchdogs say Thompson's decision to assume his next job before actually retiring raises troubling questions.
"I don't care how many releases or letters you have from the Senate Ethics Committee, it's still not the kind of thing you should do. And I'm a fan of Thompson's. He's a good actor," Common Cause veep Ben Bycel said.
Indeed, Thompson cleared his appearances on "Law & Order" with the Senate Ethics Committee. He's allowed outside acting gigs as long as he does so on his own time.
When it comes to money, Thompson can only accept outside income up to about $22,500 annually. In other words, he'll be making the minimum for the fall season.
Thompson used the August recess and several Saturdays in September to film "Law & Order" episodes. That's according to Harvey Valentine, Thompson's Senate press aide.
"The senator made it clear from the beginning that his availability to 'Law & Order' was subject to his Senate schedule," Valentine said.
Bycel said he is still bothered by Thompson's decision to appear on "Law" while a sitting senator.
"It deteriorates from the notion that Jane and Joe Public elect a public official and they send that public official to Washington and they expect them to do a full-time job," Bycel said. "So when they turn on the TV and see their senator or congressman appearing on a regular television show, they have to ask the question: Is he or she doing the job for me?"
Thompson, widely respected in Washington, announced he would retire after the Nov. 5 election. Before running for the Senate eight years ago, Thompson had landed a number of acting roles, including parts in "The Hunt for Red October" and "In the Line of Fire."
Thompson said he was drawn to "Law & Order" because it's a show with a lot of "class and great tradition."
Before congress adjourned last week for the November election, Thompson was all over the airwaves -- but as a senator. He was selected to be the GOP manager of President Bush's Homeland Security bill.
One of Thompson's Capitol Hill colleagues, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), took some heat for apparently missing a vote last week because of his guest appearance on NBC's "Saturday Night Live."
Valentine said Thompson hasn't missed any Senate votes as a result of his work on the television show.
Still, Thompson hasn't wanted to draw attention to the fact that he's already begun his next job while still in office.
Thompson and the show's production company, Universal Television Network, don't plan to do any publicity until the solon is gone from Capitol Hill. There is no cast picture or bio of Thompson on the official "Law & Order" Web site. He is listed on the credits, minus his Senate title.
