John Dickinson writes in Slate that the recent Fred Thompson boomlet that has captivated conservative Republicans for almost a month now is all about style over substance:
Thompson’s chief appeal is emotional. Until now, many conservative Republicans have had to wince when they thought of their plausible presidential choices. Giuliani is too liberal, McCain is too unpredictable and too well-liked by the media, and Romney seems like a flip-flopper on the issues they care about. The possibility of a Thompson candidacy excites the Republicans I talk to. He’s an “outsider”?having left Washington for Law and Order before the Beltway rot set in. He’s a good communicator, which means he can sell conservative policies and has the star power to battle Hillary or Obama. Though he hasn’t been through the press-vetting process, his voting record and talk-radio performances suggest he holds conservative enough positions. Oh, and he can raise Hollywood cash.
Authenticity and star power conjure visions of Ronald Reagan. But Reagan had genuine experience running something?namely the state of California. Thompson’s r?sum? is thin?an undistinguished eight years in the Senate, an acting career, and a youthful turn as co-counsel in the Watergate hearings. Supporters try to pump up his r?sum? by boasting that he shepherded John Roberts through his confirmation hearings?but that was the legal equivalent of walking Michael Jordan onto the court.
(…)
The myth behind the Thompson quasi-candidacy is a dangerous one that bedevils both parties: If we just get a better communicator, people will love our policies. But once Thompson enters the race, he will have to either embrace or distance himself from GOP policies, which will either ruin his chances in the general election or hurt him with his conservative supporters. In short, he’ll become just like any other candidate?something he might not like after such a big buildup. Thompson also has a reputation for not enjoying the grind of campaigning.
Dickinson may be right, but the one thing that the support for Thompson’s still-theoretical candidacy shows is just how uneasy conservatives are with the current crop of candidates. The two front-runners — McCain and Giuliani — can hardly be called conservatives, and Romney cleary doesn’t have the trust of the religious wing of the party.
H/T: Hit & Run
