RSS 2.0 FeedThe Political Impact Of Fred Thompson
by Doug MataconisEver since he mentioned in early March that he was thinking about running for the Republican Presidential nomination, former Senator Fred Thompson has been the subject of much attention and speculation from the political media and the blogosphere.
In today’s Washington Post, Robert Novak points out the reason that Thompson has attracted so much attention — Republican voters don’t like the choices they’ve been given so far:
Republican activists have complained for months that none of the Big Three — Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney– fits the conservative model of a conservative leader for a conservative party. The party faithful have been waiting for another Ronald Reagan. But in conversations with them the past year, nobody mentioned Thompson as the messiah until he appeared March 11 on “Fox News Sunday.”
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Thompson’s popularity reflects weakness among announced Republicans, as reflected in the Gallup survey. McCain, no longer an insurgent but still not accepted by conservatives, is stuck at 20 to 25 percent. Former New York mayor Giuliani has dropped precipitously, from 44 to 31 percent, amid attacks on his ideology and personal life. Most startling, despite a well-financed, well-organized campaign, Romney has fallen to 3 percent.
Sophisticated social conservative activists tell me they cannot vote for Giuliani under any conditions and have no rapport with McCain or Romney. They do not view Sen. Sam Brownback, representing the social right, as a viable candidate. They are coming to see Thompson as the only conservative who can be nominated. Their appreciation of him stems not from his eight years as a U.S. senator from Tennessee but from his role as Manhattan district attorney on the TV series ” Law & Order.” The part was molded to Thompson’s specifications as a tough prosecutor, lending him political star power.
If nothing else, Thompson’s entry into the race, if it happens, will shake the GOP race up in a way that nobody anticipated prior to March 11th. The biggest loser right now is Romney, who had hoped to position himself as the conservative alternative McCain and Giuliani, but if Thompson’s poll numbers continue to rise while the others’ continue to fall, John and Rudy could find themselves looking over their shoulder at an oncoming train named Fred Thompson.
Oncoming train is right!!!!! Bottom line = In the end, there is only one thing to say = RUN, FRED, RUN!!!!!!
Comment by Donna Dallman — April 3, 2007 @ 11:49 am[...] Ever since he mentioned in early March that he was thinking about running for the Republican Presidential nomination, former Senator Fred Thompson has been the subject of much attention and speculation from the political media and the blogosphere. [...]
Pingback by Jack’s Newswatch — April 3, 2007 @ 1:27 pmFred Thompson is the real deal ! 1998 Statesman Award Winner ! Florida will go with Fred Thompson
Comment by Glenn Simmons — April 3, 2007 @ 11:11 pm2008 Run Fred Run
FRED!!…
There is no Republican currently running for President in 2008 that can win a national election.
Trackback by stikNstein....has no mercy — April 4, 2007 @ 10:53 amFRED THOMPSON CAN……………………
A lot of folks seem to be whining about Thompsons TV background. I call BS……