Why should Fred Thompson announce his candidacy for president? 
Without it, he can bask in being whomever, whatever, anyone projects on him. Even though he's working hard at a campaign, he's doing great in the polls,
"exploratorying" his ass off and getting free radio airtime at the same time!
(He signed on with ABC News Radio in 2006 to serve as senior political analyst and fill-in for Paul Harvey, where he's used the national platform to articulate his political positions. Earlier this month he was released from the analyst part of his contract).
And boy do the Republicans have expectations of Thompson, 65, the white-hatted stranger to ride in and save them from Tainted Rudy, and Mitt The Mormon. There's already been a McCain Mutiny, and such whodats as Mike Huckabee, Sam Brownback and Tom "Two-headed" Tancredo are but figments of their own imaginations.
Mediocre in the Senate, and a longtime Washington insider, (and womanizer) these Republican fantasiies thrust on the erstwhile actor seem to be based on the tough character- the avuncular landscaper appropriately named Arthur Branch- he used to play on NBC's "Lawn Order."
The FredHeads are avid and a Draft Fred Movement is churning away on Freep Republic. Meanwhile, Republican pollster Frank Luntz calls him the "Six-million-pound gorilla," and Thompson has left more doors open than a cigar smoker in a convent; tested more water than a urologist.
He's playing it cool, bloviating often on-air in 87-year-old Paul Harvey's stead when the old radio bull goes surfing.
Pretty good deal, eh?
(OK, OK, we know Dave Ross (KIRO m-f, 9a-12p) stayed on the air until he filed for the 8th district congressional seat in 2004; and we would probably do the same thing- it's all legal).
It hasn't all been so rosy for the Mr. Everything-to-Everybody. It was discovered that he represented a pro-life group when he was a Washington lobbyist. First he denied it, then equivocated, then it burst undeniably into the press- the conservative press, we might add.
That didn't settle well with the Southern-based moral sticklers of the GOP who have so much staked on him being perfect for the job. When he finally breaks out running, there'll be more surprises, assuredly.
Tuesday he announced he was replacing his campaign manager, Tom Collamore, a former tobacco company CEO with former Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham.
The reason 
for the split: Collamore had a shootin' match with
Thompson's wife, Republican consultant Jeri Kehn Thompson, a busty blonde almost
25 years his junior.
(photo: Mrs. Thompson from Rush Limbaugh's perspective.)
We can't believe Thompson can catch fire in time for the 2008 presidential. He's like wet newspaper- slow to ignite and hard to keep going. His deliberative, mush-mouthed style on the air drives us crazy; he sounds too slow to inspire much confidence or excitement in a restless, change-hungry electorate.
He was also a mole for Nixon during the Watergate investigations while at the same time playing the part of a panel member looking into the scandal. In other words, he would tip off the Nixon Administration as to what the panel was looking into.
I saw another poll and a lot of people dont know who he is or much about him. As usual, it is the media who is trying to proclaim him as the savior.
He could also possibly be a President who would take more vacations than Bush. His record as a Senator shows he did not wear himself out with work.
Posted by: sparky | July 25, 2007 at 07:39 AM
(photo: Jeri Kehn from Rush Limbaugh's perspective.)
Good one, Bla'M very apt!
Posted by: Duffman | July 25, 2007 at 07:46 AM
yo mango: whatdaya think?
Posted by: Duffman | July 25, 2007 at 07:53 AM
Do not concern yourselves with Mr Thompson folks.
There is nothing to see here. Just keep moving. That's it folks, just move along. Nothing to see.
Posted by: chucks | July 25, 2007 at 08:11 AM
Haha...good one chucks 'nothing to see' indeed UNLESS his wife is standing next to him :o)
Posted by: Duffman | July 25, 2007 at 08:20 AM
from wikipedia
On the June 4, 2007 edition of the Morning Joe radio show, which aired live on MSNBC, conservative commentator Joe Scarborough created an uproar when he wondered aloud whether Mrs. Thompson "works the pole."[4] [5] Scarborough subsequently explained and apologized on June 11, 2007.[6] A July 8, 2007 New York Times article considered whether the "May-December marriage" could become a campaign issue, noting that "she is not a home wrecker" and is "accomplished in her own right."[7] The Times also suggested that Mrs. Thompson is a "trophy wife," according to what that term "originally meant." Mr. Thompson has in the past been at odds with the New York Times.[8]
Posted by: coiler | July 25, 2007 at 09:39 AM
..and why couldn't he be regarded as a 'trophy husband'
Posted by: Duffman | July 25, 2007 at 09:49 AM
Don't think that happy couple could get by the pecksniffian Republican Women. Jeri may have a good heart, and be smart as a whip- but she looks like the woman middle-aged wives of middle-aged men fear the most. First Lady? I don't think so.
Posted by: jimbo | July 25, 2007 at 02:36 PM
What's Rush slobbering for--didn't they take his Viagra away?
Posted by: Dagmar | July 25, 2007 at 02:38 PM
The righties I hear from say he fills a void. They don't seem to want to look too closely. They need a viable candidate and they like the image.
It really is a good year for an earnest and moderate Republican to lead the charge. I'm not sure it is in the bag for the Dems unless they stick with the field they have currently.
Posted by: joanie | July 25, 2007 at 03:34 PM
Honest question to all the libs here: What do you think of Rudy Giuliani?
He may have a hell of a time getting nominated, because of his moderate views on abortion etc.
But if he does, I can't help thinking that he would absolutely mop the floor with Clinton or Obama, or even both on a ticket together.
Have you seen him speak? He's like the anti-Bush. He's one of the best speakers I've ever seen--far better than Clinton. (I haven't seen Obama speak much). Am I missing something?
What do you think?
Posted by: anomolos | July 25, 2007 at 03:50 PM
What will be the effect of the anti-Giuliani NY firefighters commercials? I don't think he has a chance myself. But, who knows?
Posted by: joanie | July 25, 2007 at 04:11 PM
BTW, when I said "unless they stick with the field . . . " I meant the Republicans.
Posted by: joanie | July 25, 2007 at 04:12 PM