Fred Thompson? Grasping at straws? Trying to regain the old glory?

[Stinky The Clown]

So ...... Fred Thompson ......... yeah, sure ..... okay ....... riiiiiight.

Fred Thompson.

He was ...... what? A largely undistinguished Senator from Tennessee. A fair to middling teevee actor.

So what's the appeal?

I don't really know, but it seems to me that he's appealing to those who long for the reincarnation of St. Ronnie. And it seems to me that's all about image and not so much about ideology. Yeah, Fred's pretty conservative. But he's hardly been a conservative leader. More correctly, he was a good conservative lieutenant.

Fred's biggest claim to fame - and the basis of his appeal today - it seems to me, is his Law and Order role.

Can he win?

Well, if Bonzo's sidekick can win and go on to sainthood, anything's possible.

[Phredicles]

1. I still think Freddie looks like a mean old man.

Of course, looking like an imbecile didn't stop St. Ronnie.

[Auggie]

2. Scary thought... Just like Reagan, he could act his way to the presidency.

[pnwmom]

3. And Ronnie's appeal was -- what, exactly? Look at Thompson's poll numbers.

Maybe he IS Ronnie, who was never anything special either. Apparently lots of people are impressed by B-list actors.

And I will say this for him: his voice alone would be a relief after 8 years of the Chimp's screech.

[hedgehog]

4. You mean he's not really the DA for New York?

[TwilightGardener]

5. If he wasn't semi-famous from TV/movies, would anyone even

be discussing him? This is conservative desperation. He's just being trotted out to either be VP or save the day in case Rudy McRomney implodes. Rudy McRomney will chop him off at the knees otherwise.

[hedgehog]

6. Ronald Reagen made his start on Death Valley Days and the rubber chicken circuit.

None of it was real, but then neither is anything that the Republicans have to say. Why not trot out another actor to support the entire facade?

[TwilightGardener]

7. Right--that's all they've got now. But at least Reagan was gov of

the biggest state in the union--one might consider him qualified.

[hedgehog]

8. The fact that both Reagan and Schwarzenegger ended up governing

CAlifornia makes me question this entire concept that experience is needed to govern the nation!

[onenote]

9. i think you are right that its largely about image -- but that could be said about others

Rudy -- image as the 9/11 savior
McCain -- image as the straight talker

Obama -- image as the Kennedy-esque charismatic leader who transcends racial lines
Edwards -- image as the Kennedy-esque charismatic leader who transcends regional lines
Clinton -- image as the woman that could get elected

The idea that Thompson is a serious candidate is disturbing, but what can you do. Its not as if his lack of experience sets him apart from other candidates. Hell, other than non-candidate Al Gore, most of the leading candidates (other than McCain) have minimal experience.

Compare: Thompson: 8 years in US Senate
Clinton: 8 years in US Senate (8 years as first lady)
Obama: 2 years in US Senate, eight years in State Senate
Edwards: 6 years in US Senate

[booley]

10. In an interesting Juxtoposition...

Right above this thread in the ads I saw this

Fred Thompson 2008
Show your support for Fred Thompson Over 5000 supporters and growing!
www.grassrootsvoter.com

I love DU but they really do need to choose thier ads better..or have some control over what ads they display.

As for Mr. Thompson, his appeal seems simple ot me. He's Republican, conservative, has currently no indictments against him or moral scandles (that we know of) , has a modicrum of name recognition but has been out of office long enough that to many he's an unknown. He doesnt' have a record (on tape) of him being currently an idiot.

Conservative canidates always look better the less is actually known about them. Excuse the generalization but it seems to fit..conservative voters are like smal children at a toy store or anyone else with no smart buyer skills. They see something that "looks' cool and go "I want it I WANT IT!". Then they get it, realize what they have and suddenly they didn't really want it after all. Not that they will admit it.

Remember when Shrub was the Conservative messiah chosen by God? Then his (easily predictable from a mile off) FUBARS and personal failings began piling up. And so now we get cons saying that Shrub was never really a conservative..

[MissMarple]

11. Well, Dr. Dobson says....he doesn't think Fred is a Christian.

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/070328/28dobson.htm

I found this link at Talking Points Memo. So Dobby likes Newtie...gack...but doesn't think Fred is a Christian. The Church of Christ just isn't good enough for Dobby. But three wives, twice divorced...hmmm, not so bad.

[LynneSin]

12. If Fred Thompson wants to play President he should play one on TV

I know he's played a CIA director in the bad comedy "Feds"

[Clark2008]

13. I'm gonna warn y'all again: he's formidable.

Trust me - all the swing voters and wingnuts in the states where we need the Bubba-swing vote for sure are IN LOVE with this guy.

[Nedsdag]

14. I totally agree.

If it's between Thompson and Hillary, she has no chance. His folksy charm bests her schoolmarmish wonkery every time.

He wins the red states and possibly picks off Michigan and Ohio.

Be careful what you wish for.

[AshevilleGuy]

15. Smirk at him at our risk!

On a ticket with Rudy they would just about be unbeatable. Thompson would draw white males like a magnet, and in religious conservative areas he would wink and nod, and make it OKAY to vote for Rudy!!!

The male swing voters do not care if he was a largely undistinguished senator - that is the way WE think, not they. Swing voters vote emotionally, and/or for whom they LIKE, and against those they DISLIKE. And in a close contest they decide the election.

I think only Al Gore could beat that ticket, and I am far from sure about that.

[Adelante]

16. Thompson's looking very good, actually

The only thing he's missing is military service - that won't matter in the current Dem field. If genuine conservatives get it into their heads to take their party back from the wingnuts, and Thompson is moderate enough for the moderate Repubs (and conservative Dems) and Independents, we're not going to be able to hold up. Yeah, he can win.