Run Fred Run

 by George Shadroui  

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If Republicans want star power, street smarts and likeability rolled into one, they could do a good deal worse than the former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson.

There are several decent, tough and honorable men running for President on the Republican side.
 
John McCain is a hero. Rudolph Giuliani has a likeability and pragmatism that would serve him well as president.  Newt Gingrich, should he decide to run, would bring significant intellectual firepower to the arena.
 
These are the most formidable men on the Republican side as of now, but each of them will face a major challenge dismantling the Clinton political machine or derailing the Obama express. In fact, even the more substanial candidates on the Democratic side — Senators Biden and Dodd and Governor Richardson — will find the going tough. John Edwards, who emerged as a superstar only four years ago, is already a non-factor, his bad times economic message not likely to resonate in reasonably strong economic times.
 
But if Republicans want star power, street smarts and likeability rolled into one (and since Powell is not running), they could do a good deal worse than the former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson.  
 
Thompson, it is now known, is considering entering the race. He should do so and do it quickly. He is clearly the candidate Democrats most fear. He is an articulate (whoops) conservative who also is quick on his feet and brings the gravitas and tough-mindedness that we need in the presidency.
 
He is used to the give and take of Washington politics, knowledge which would make him more effective than President Bush in managing the Democratic attack machine. He has also thrived as a conservative in a Hollywood culture that can be unforgiving toward anyone to the right of Bill Clinton.
 
These are all good reasons for Thompson to consider running. But there is one overriding reason. His nation needs him.
 
Obama is charismatic and Hilary is shrewd, but neither of them are equipped to fight the war that this nation will face over the next decade. The Democratic Party's treatment of President Bush since the moment he was sworn in underscores that they are not serious about solving problems or winning the war. The current scandal-mongering on even petty issues suggests to me they are not a party to be trusted with issues of war and peace. (Joe Lieberman being a notable exception.)
 
The President has endured an onslaught of constant and malicious criticism the likes of which this country has not witnessed since Nixon. But Nixon deserved it far more than Bush. Bush's problem is that he is politically tone deaf and cares not a lick about what his critics say. I happen to like that quality in him, but it is a quality that works politically (as it did for Reagaon) only when he can go over the heads of the opposition to the American people. Bush can't sell his policies because the war in Iraq has proven tougher than anyone expected and the American people are having trouble seeing the roadmap to victory. Moreover, his administration seems in disarray, though the Democratic abuse of power has contributed mightily to that state.
 
Thompson has the charisma, the toughness and the political aptitude to move the nation forward at home and abroad. And he seems a genuinely good guy with conservative values.
 
It is my guess that he would run away with the Republican nomination if he entered the race. And that he would be a formidable force against any Democratic contender. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if liberal Hollywood started offering him major movie deals in the hopes of keeping him out of the race.
 
Guess what Senator Thompson. There is no bigger stage than the presidency.

Elections & Political Parties

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