>> The juggernaut call Fred Thompson is about to hit the tracks
Yep. The country (and this forum) is waiting with high hopes (or, in some cases, with bated breath).
If Fred can raise trainloads of money in a hurry, run a near-flawless campaign (it needs to be flawless, as long as he’s waited and prepared), and operate well in unscripted scenarios (debates, responding to the inevitable attacks from the media, his R-opponents, and the Dems), he’ll gather steam like the cannonball express.
If he can’t... well, it’ll be a train wreck of epic proportions, one you can’t look away from. It’s not clear who that train wreck will benefit if it indeed happens.
We should know by the end of the year, or sooner if he screws up big or can’t raise money.
2c worth from a still-uncommitted observer
His biggest advantage is that he has gone against the grain of 'normal' campaigning. I saw this in March when the grassroots was just begining.
His response in a few hours on the web to Michael Moore's debate challenge was priceless, and an indicator of HOW Fred was going to communicate with a larger audience and more frequently than any of the other candidates. His blog, articles at RedState, and ImwithFred.com all show the eloquence and direction he would take the country. Too many here on FR dismiss him with the 'he's just an actor' dogma, but his own words speak for him.
There are those fanatical posters here, that try to turn his words into an issue, but they only choose the words that support their claim, and ignore anything that disputes that claim.
Fred will be the nominee.
I think you over estimate the impact Thompson will have at this point. Especially after ducking this week's debate.