Is Fred Thompson an outsider?

Is Fred Thompson an outsider?
President hopeful Fred Thompson is a well-known conservative Republican who is also a familiar face with the voters because of his being a television actor. His presidential campaign is based on his claim of having "come from outside to the congress". However, is Thompson's claim valid?

CNN recently ran a report where they questioned Thompson's claim of being an outsider. The gist of the story was that, "Thompson's career as a Senate lawyer, US senator, and a lobbyist for big corporations doesn't jibe with his folksy anti-Washington image".

CNN referred to Thompson's career as a lobbyist, pointing out how his pressing for savings and loan deregulation led to an industry collapse and a $150 billion payout. It also mentioned his involvement in raising funds for Scooter Libby.

Craig Holman of Public Citizen explained how the label of outsider was a mistake for Thompson, who he said, added was popularly known as the "access man".