The Next Reagan?

After much hype and tension in the Republican Party over whether or not the former Senator of Tennessee Fred D. Thompson was going to run for his parties presidential nomination -- the rumors became true. On the NBC's "Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

In the words of MSNBC's Chris Matthews, "we waited for this?"

Color me underwhelmed...and a democrat...but I find this late runner another washy Republican that will just mix up an already divided party. Well I say, the more the merrier!

To make the September 5 evening announcment even more unimpressive, Thompson did it while eight of his rivals were actually participating in a much heated debate. Even some of the Republican frontrunners took time out of their busy campaign schedules to take a shot at the newcomer on the block.

"I think Fred is a really, really good man. I think he's done a pretty good job of playing my part on 'Law & Order.'" said former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani of Thompson according to the Washington Post.

But sadly, some voters are acting excited about this 65-year-old once T.V. star. Some are even murmoring the word "Reagan" along with his name. Now those of us who understand the God-like personification of former President Ronald Reagan that is held and formed by many Republican voters, also understand the possible danger Thompson could pose in the short months to come. His dangerous mixture of ultra conservatisim, southern roots and that crazy star appeal are frighteningly close to the movie star President.

In the past week, Thompson has been making up for lost time by busing his way accross Iowa and some of New Hampshire. But most reporters are noting the ever constant stump speech of the former Senator that seems to convey any actual stance. According to Susan Saulny of the New York Times, Thompson could not be pinned down by voters questions regarding important matters such as healthcare and education. And when answering questions regarding the hot topic of homosexuality he danced around the issue like a skilled performer.

"I think that we should not have discrimination, but that we should not set aside categories to give special set-aside treatments for, and treatments to," said Thompson according to the New York TImes article. WHAT? I mean really, who understood that answer? And how do you answer a question about homosexuality without using the actual word -- homosexuality?

I spoke to my Grandmother about this new runner -- she's my moral guidance on pretty much everything. And as someone who not only lived through "Reaganomics" but somehow survived raising four children on a low-middle class income during the Presidency -- all she could do was shake her head disapprovingly. I think that says it all.

www.fred08.com
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/05/AR2007090502602_pf.html