Some 1,000 people braved what felt like 600 degree weather (No, it's not always a great day at The Villages) to see Fred Thompson at The Villages this afternoon, and Thompson taped a "Political Connections" interview with us that airs Sunday on Bay News 9. He was non-commital on a national cat fund,  vague on whether Congress should have intervened on the Terri Schiavo case, and brushed off a question on whether his appreciation for Cuban cigars should shape his views on the Cuban embargo.

Would he commit to supporting a national cat fund? "No, I don't know enough about it yet. I know that it's an issue, I know that it's being talked about.that's one of the things I want to talk to people about while I'm down here, make sure I understand what's being proposed. But I'll give it serious consideration and give you an answer to it when I do."

Did he support intervention in the Schiavo case? "Local matters generally speaking should be left to the locals. I think Congress has got an awful lot to keep up with....I don't know all the facts surrounding that case, I can't pass judgment on it. I know that good people were doing what they thought was best...That's going back in history I don't remember the details of it.

Cuban cigars: "If I have a friend that occasionally passes me a cigar I don't check its heritage. You know, if it's good, I smoke it." (AP photo)