Former Sen. Fred Thompson has finally thrown his hat in the ring. He has a lot of things going for him, particularly a really down-home manner and resonant voice. When he articulates his views, he sounds confident, forthright, and reassuring.
The big question, as noted in the accompanying cartoon, is whether he has waited too long. Winning primaries takes grass-roots organization as well as money. Fred may be able to raise money, but its not clear he can put together a deep campaign organization fast enough.
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3 comments:
If Fred Thompson is the right person he has plenty of time to win over the primary electorate. Remember, Fred speaks to the people 7 to 10 times a week on various television channels. His sage DA diologe covers a wide gamut of the issues that plague the country. The only question, does his sage "common man" TV commentary really represent how he views the issues...I'm hoping we are about to find out.
Given the flaws in each of the other main GOP candidates, it may not be too late.
But unless the Democrats really blow it, or unless something remarkable happens (like in Iraq) between now and next November, I don't know if any GOP candidate can win. I give Thompson a better chance than Rudy and Romney.
Too bad Huckabee can't break through.
As you probably know, I have been a Giuliani guy so far. Fred is the only other Republican who can be competitive in Nov. 2008.
The Fred Thompson we have seen in movies and TV would make a great President. I'm not sure if his Senate record bears that out. Like you, anonymous, I'll be listening to his campaign efforts closely to see where he stands.
And, Lee, I'd agree with your gloomy assessment of 2008 GOP presidential hopes except for the fact that Hillary Clinton is almost certain to be the Democrat nominee. Her negatives are so high, I do believe that one or two Republicans (Rudy and Fred) have a real chance against her.
Finally, I wonder what it is that drives the candidates like Huckabee or Richardson. They have to know their candidacies are real longshots, yet they spend their money and time on what appears to be a futile effort. Many of their positions are appealing but the mainstream media is so focused on the top-tier candidates that its hard for these guys to get any traction despite their ideas.
In fact, I'd say our "presidential selection process" is so daunting and our political system so dysfunctional, that some of the best people stay out alltogether.
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