05.31.07
Thompson Skulks Out the Race
In the best news so far of the 2008 campaign for the White House, former Tennessee Senator and actor Fred Thompson is forming a committee to explore a run for the Presidency. Thompson is actively seeking donors for his campaign, and the good word seems to be that there is plenty of funding available to him. His conservative stances go against the grain of many of those currently seeking the Republican nomination which makes him particularly attractive to those more conservative Republicans. Specifically, his views on some of the more controversial social issues such as abortion and gun control are what will win him the vote with the religious right. Add to that his natural aura of Reaganesque qualities, and Thompson is shoring up to be the real thing. He is the best choice of any of the candidates that have thrown their hat into the nomination ring.
But the biggest question is if his conservative positions will hurt his chances for election in the general election. Despite being out of the Senate since 2002 and avoiding the puddle of criticism that has pooled over the Iraq War, his views may be skewed by those in the media to portray him as a radical conservative seeking to continue the ways of George W. Bush. In a recent Quinnipiac University poll of Pennsylvania voters, Thompson trails Guiliani by getting 10% of the polling numbers compared to former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani’s 28% number. What is even more disheartening for those that may support Thompson is that Guiliani appears to be the one candidate that has the power to defeat New York Senator Hillary Clinton. Only one Democrat - one that is not running - has the numbers to defeat Guiliani in Pennsylvania. He is former Vice President Al Gore. But Gore has not indicated that he will indeed seek the Democratic nomination.
If Thompson does decide to commit to the race, he will face an uphill battle. A costly and drawn out battle with Guiliani may cost him the ability to put up a strong challenge against the Democratic nominee in next year’s primary election. And that could cost the Republican party - and the nation itself - the opportunity to continue the excellent defensive measures that have prevented terrorists from again striking our soil. Only the firm and resolute Thompson has the experience and guts to ensure we never get attacked again.
