Fred Thompson can tell ya'

That when it comes to him Washington is show business for ugly people...and so is show business:

The former Tennessee senator, who is considering his own run for the GOP nomination, was a swinging single during most of his eight-year tenure in the Senate, making him a favorite of gossip columnists, who often referred to him as the "Tennessee Stud." Just weeks after winning his first campaign for the Senate in 1994, Thompson was spotted waltzing with country singer Lorrie Morgan, who dated him for more than a year. "He's a wonderful man. He's very special to me - he really understands me," Morgan said at the time, telling reporters they had even considered marriage. But alas, it wasn't meant to be. By 1996, they were splitsville. One reason: she didn't like dressing the part of a conservative Republican. ("Get that basic black dress out of the closet," Morgan wrote in her 1997 autobiography, "Forever Yours, Faithfullly." "And no cleavage, baby!")

Looks like Fred & his wife found a compromise on this matter:

Over the years, Thompson was linked to plenty of other woman around Washington, including GOP pollster Kellyanne Fitzpatrick (now Conway) and fund-raiser Georgette Mosbacher. In 2000, his love life got a little messy, spilling onto the pages of the New York Post's famed Page Six. His then-girlfriend (and future wife) Jeri Kehn complained to Page Six that "all these women" were constantly gunning for her man. "They just won't leave him alone," Kehn told the paper. "I can't get up to get a cocktail at a party without coming back and finding some girl sitting in my chair." Kehn, who inisisted she was dating Thompson, singled out one lady in particular: then-Time magazine columnist Margaret Carlson. "She won't get the hint he has a girlfriend," Kehn complained. "She calls his apartment all the time. I mean, what is the deal with these woman? Don't they have any pride? It's a joke all over Washington that Margaret has a huge crush on him. And Fred clearly is not interested."

Well stick eggs up my ass and call me Drudge! Building upon what Atrios mentioned last week.

Carlson, who did not respond to an e-mail from Newsweek inquiring about the matter, was spotted on "Hardball" with Chris Matthews last week, swooning over a potential Thompson candidacy. "He's handsome, he's charming, he sounds like a president-. He's smart, he's articulate, he knows his line, he can hit his mark," Carlson said, predicting that he'll jump in to the 2008 race soon. "For the press, he would be the new McCain because he does seem honest and open."

You know, I feel kind of badly for ol' Margaret. With Thompson happily married he probably has another half-dozen years of life on this marriage. Without him to pursue, Margaret will have to set her sights on the most likely GOP target of her affections and it isn't Sam Brownback (boy that would be some damned exciting Republican sex huh?). No it will be the thrice married Rudy Giuliani. And why not? After all when Margaret starts doing the classic stalker move and kills Rudy's pets, you know he'll automatically suspect Judith.

Next thing you know, Margaret is wearin' the tiara. Damn, what a plan.

Apparently, I've channeled Michael Musto for this post.