MAKE WAY FOR FRED THOMPSON FROM TENNESSEE FOR PRESIDENT!
IS THERE A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN?
So it appears that Fred Thompson will be
entering the presidential race. On the one
hand, to the extent that he sharpens up the
field, thereby helping the best candidate to
emerge, it's a good thing. But it strikes me
that there is a lot of mass delusion among
Republicans who seem to think that,
because he's got an appealing, folksy
manner and a lot of gravitas, Fred Thomp-
son is the answer to conservatives' prayers.
For me to become a Thompson supporter,
I would need to be convinced that his cancer
isn't in any danger of returning, and so far,
we have heard very little from doctors or
others about his prognosis. It's an un-
pleasant topic, but anyone who thinks the
Democrats wouldn't exploit it is hopelessly
naive.
Second, I'd like to hear his thoughts on
McCain-Feingold, which he supported.
Does he regret that decision, and why/why
not? How articulately does he defend his
position? More than anything, I want to see
him just get into the mix, and start having to
mix it up with the other candidates -- and the
press -- just to see how he takes it. The up-
coming campaign will be a brutal one for the
Republican candidate, and I want to be sure
that whomever Republicans nominate can
take, and land, punches with elan and good
humor. Thompson looks just fine now, but so
does every car until it's driven off the lot . . .
In other words a big question in my mind is
does Fred Thompson really want to be
president, and is he willing to do what it
takes to get there -- not just in the primaries,
but most importantly, in the general election?
Courtesty Carol Platt Liebau.