And when we draw lines in the sand with regard to certain basic things that are vital to our interest and to the interest of democracy and our friends around the world, we have to be willing to back that up.

Thompson's daughter Elizabeth "Betsy" Thompson Panici died from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs on January 30 2002. Thompson was not a candidate for re-election in 2002. Ratings

Thompson has an 86.

Senate term in 2002 Thompson joined the cast of the long-running NBC television series Law & Order playing Manhattan District Attorney Arthur Branch. He has frequently portrayed governmental figures.