Thompson could fill void

The Washington Times
Sunday Forum Section
April 22, 2007

Though it is early to discuss the 2008 presidential election, as Internet-time has reached presidential politics, the pre-primary debate regarding credible candidates has begun. Yet the current crop of GOP pretenders brings to mind that truism of physical science – “nature abhors a vacuum.” One doesn’t have to be a Lee Atwater to see the obvious – the glaring weakness of the current field (from both parties) leaves a void to be filled.

Former Senator Fred Thompson, while possessing a certain establishment pedigree (think former Sen. Howard Baker and Sen. Lamar Alexander), nonetheless has sufficient conservative credentials [supported by a voting record] – and the underrated prerequisite of persona – to make a credible run. He also has the working-class background and experience with grief (his older daughter recently died) to provide a compelling life story, which would also refute the routine, leftist complaints about a patrician GOP.

First, Thompson looks presidential. Who can forget the Elmer Fudd-like image of former Democrat nominee Michael Dukakis (the infamous tank)? On the other hand is the too-patrician-like John Kerry, better-suited for the premiership of France. In contrast, Thompson has the right appearance – what some would call gravitas or charisma. Neither a pretty-boy nor a Leno joke. Remember him as the aircraft carrier commander in the film “The Hunt for Red October” and other similar roles? What Thompson lacks in name recognition he makes up for with face recognition.

Second, the base of the GOP remains the South – as the left coast and northeast remain the bastion of the Democrats. The candidate who has an advantage in his party’s home geographic base presents a difficult hurdle for the others to overcome (this is one of Hellary’s [pun intended] advantages). Each of the GOP’s current tier-one candidates lacks a base of support in the South. At first glance, Thompson would crush the GOP pretenders in the South Carolina primary.

With regard to his southern heritage, Thompson is the real deal. Unlike the transplant Newt Gingrich, who hails from Pennsylvania, Thompson is a native Southerner who was born and bred in the Volunteer State. And unlike Al Gore, he was actually raised there, not in a Washington, DC hotel. More importantly, like all true Southerners, Thompson is a conservative, and sufficiently so to command the respect and support of the GOP base. It is notable that three of the last five presidents were native Southerners.

Third, Thompson has the political stature – as a former senator – to command sufficient respect from the rank-and-file, the money-men, and the media. Given this scenario, it was inevitable that someone would ride to the rescue. But would it be a white knight or Darth Vader? Alas, Newt Gingrich, despite his virtues, is more of the latter, with his quirky social views and neo-con positions on foreign policy. Moreover, Mr. Gingrich has had a screen test – as speaker of the House – and was found wanting in that role, which requires certain management skills and focus/discipline that Mr. Gingrich lacks.

Fred Thompson is potentially that man. He would need to resist the RINO-trap advice of the mostly-establishment/country club GOP “handlers” and consultants to moderate the conservative position on the key issues of our age – immigration (legal and illegal), the environment (global warming), foreign policy/defense, and taxes/spending. Any softening on these issues – even after securing the nomination – would dampen his base of support. This does not preclude throwing the increasingly important moderate/independent vote rhetorical bones on some issues to ensure them that these matters will be addressed comprehensively from a non-ideological perspective.

Fred Thompson has most if not all of the prerequisites for a successful primary and presidential race, and thereby fills the current void in the GOP presidential sweepstakes. He has the persona/charisma, stature, and conservatism to attract support or respect from those that matter – the GOP base, the big financial contributors, the media, and ultimately the American public.

Mr. Thompson’s recent quote in National Review Online (excerpted from The Paul Harvey Show) regarding the Mexican-border problem shows that he understands the root cause of the issue (a socialist/monopolistic Mexican economy that can’t produce enough jobs for its own people), and that he has the right positions to address it (securing our border through whatever means necessary and demanding that Mexico de-socialize/de-monopolize its economy). Do you recall President Bush confronting the Mexicans with their self-inflicted wounds? But Mr. Thompson addresses the matter in direct policy terms and not demagoguery.

The only question remaining is whether Mr. Thompson has the “fire in the belly” to spend the next two years of his life raising the money, making the speeches, and undergoing the glare from a 24/7 media that has little else of substance to follow. Does he have the sense of duty to country, or the “calling” at this perilous time in our country’s history, to make the plunge into the sizzling waters of presidential politics? Or is he content enough with his multi-million dollar TV income and young family to avoid the scrutiny with which the leftists, who control the Establishment Media, would target him?

Robert Brantley
Alexandria, VA
March 23, 2007

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