ConservativeINC

In Is He for Real? in the most recent edition of National Review we get an upfront look at the person who is many people’s best hope for the Republican party. Unfortunately this may be a case where perception is far removed from reality. He seems like a really interesting fellow and is obviously well liked but that has not translated into him being a good speaker. He trails Giuliani in the RCP National Average by more than ten points and trails in Iowa and New Hampshire by at least fifteen points to the front runner, Romney.

Of course this all could change in an instant. He is an actor which means he at least has the ability to perform well at a speech. Thompson also has to officially announce his candidacy. Maybe there is all this pent up demand for him to be the next president and people are just waiting for him to make it official.

The only problems with all of this is that his resume is lacking in the area where it counts the most: leadership. He does not have a management pedigree like Romney, but none other of the early front runners do either. He did not have a distinguished political career in the senate but neither do Hillary Clinton or Obama. McCain is dead in the water because he is a boob. Romney seems to be the most qualified but no one knows how his religion will or will not play in this election.

Where I think he does have power would be in strengthening a ticket of him and Romney. Thompson, a Southerner, would help keep that block of voters who may be a little weary of a governor from Massachusetts. Outside of a backup role I do not see Thompson staying in the political arena for long because, as he mentioned in the article, he really didn’t want to run in the first place. He’s an old guy who has served this country admirably over his lifetime and even if he doesn’t save us from the hydra that would be Clinton - Obama that doesn’t mean he let me down. But I’m realistic, many political followers are not. BigT