Fred Thompson Has Lymphoma

Yet another new twist in the non-ending Presidential campaign comes from CNN:

Potential GOP presidential candidate Fred Thompson has disclosed he has a treatable form of lymphoma, a source familiar to the “Law and Order” star’s deliberations tells CNN’s Candy Crowley.

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic glands — part of the body’s immune system. Nearly 500,000 Americans are currently living with the disease according to the Lymphoma Research foundation.

Thompson, a former Republican senator from Tennessee, has been discussing his condition privately “for sometime,” the source close to Thompson said, and his decision to disclose the information signals he is seriously considering a White House bid.

“This disclosure should indicate to everyone interested in seeing Fred enter the race for the White House how serious he is taking in taking the next steps toward launching a campaign,” the source said.

Fox News also has this:

Former Tennessee Republican Sen. Fred Thompson told FOX News on Wednesday that he’s in remission from cancer.

“I wouldn’t be doing this if I wasn’t satisfied in my own mind as to the nature of it and the fact that not only will I have an average life span, but in the meantime, I will not be affected in any way by it,” Thompson said.

Fair enough, and it is indeed treatable. But this revelation IS likely to take some of the edge off of Thompson’s candidacy. There will inevitably be some voters who’ll wonder if he’ll be able to go all the necessary rounds. It’s not the kind of new tidbit that boosts a candidate’s chances.