Your memory is incorrect. Reagan was considered the frontrunner and skipped nearly all of the GOP debates and straw polls in 1979. George Bush campaigned heavily in these and as a result won in Iowa. THAT’S when Reagan got serious about campaigning.
But, as you yourself said, you weren’t a Reagan fan, so nobody should expect you to like Thompson either.
Thank You for pointing out my incorrect memory. I did vote for Reagan in 1984 which was not popular in my college. My point is the other candidates have been breaking their asses running around the country on the house party rubber chicken circuit while Mr. Thompson has been aloof. Eventually I’ll consider him and his positions, but my first impressions are not positive.