[Gelato]

I agree that the timing of this balloon is suspect, given recent reports of McCain's ailing campaign.

The ties between McCain and Thompson cannot be overstated. The two are not just friends. Thompson, along with Chuck Hagel, were frequently McCain's closest allies in the Senate (next to the Democrats, of course).

Thompson didn't endorse McCain idly in 2000. Thompson became national co-chairman for McCain's campaign because he admired McCain's "leadership" on campaign finance reform. Back in 1997, when Thompson was a rumored potential candidate for president, campaign finance reform was understood to be a top priority for Thompson.

The presidency is not on his mind or in the cards he is playing. His priorities? (1) To ascertain as best he can what campaign-money excesses occurred last year, regardless of who the truth hurts. And then (2) to secure, hand-in-hand with the first objective, wholesale campaign-finance reform. The pursuit of these goals could inflict serious political harm on Thompson and foreclose even any distant White House ambitions the senator may harbor. (In the line of fire - Senator Fred Thompson - Cover Story Insight on the News, Sept 1, 1997 by Jamie Dettmer)

McCain's campaign is tanking, so it is within the realm of possibility that he is encouraging Thompson to run in his stead.

[EternalVigilance]

Wow. Just wow.

I wonder if this means Hagel will get out too, if Thompson gets in.

[Howlin]

I see you drew the short straw and it's your job to trash Thompson, huh?

[jellybean]

McCain's campaign is tanking, so it is within the realm of possibility that he is encouraging Thompson to run in his stead.

He and McCain are friends, but he has not endorsed McCain this go-round. Rumor has it he was reluctant to go against McCain because of their friendship. With McCain's campaign going into the tank, he may no longer have those resrvations.

[Spiff]

Thank you for posting factual information and reasoned analysis of Thompson. Please ignore the harpies.