The Fred Factor

I have been curiously eyeing what appears to be something quite uncharacteristic in the Republican party, a grassroots uprising. In increasing number and intensity voices hereto silent are initiating petitions, writing letters and E-mails and eagerly readying their checkbooks. What you ask is causing such a stir in the normally reserved conservative ranks? The answer is Fred Dalton Thompson.

In an unprecedented show of spontaneous support many in the Republican base are bucking the conventional leadership and throwing their support in the direction of a potential nominee that isn't even a candidate. Despondent and disgruntled with the current slate of Republican contenders the great silent majority is choosing to be silent no more. The "hold your nose and pull the lever for the Republican" mentality is simply not going to suffice this time around.
It appears that with either Hillary or Obama likely to win the Democrat nomination, the stakes are just too great and Conservatives across the spectrum are just not willing to back another Bob Dole.

I've been watching Presidential election politics for longer than I care to remember and this is the first time I've seen this degree of blatant activism arising from the bowels of the collective conservative persona.... ever. In Thompson they see an ideological bretheren, a fiscal and social conservative, plain spoken, articulate and with genuine star power. They are really excited about this guy like I have'nt seen since Reagans second term and it's growing. Much of this is under the radar for all but political junkies like me who read hundreds of blogs everyday but make no mistake its there and it's real.

Personally I like Thompson, other than a few misteps his conservative bonafides are impeccable. His reserved plain spoken approach and thoughtful grand fatherly presentation elicits a sense of confidence and trust. My crystal ball tells me that in a debate he would make Hillary look like a shrill, angry b!tch and Obama a starry eyed schoolboy. His stage presence is formidable.

One things a given, if FDT gets into the race the dynamic will change overnight and in a big BIG way.