[PSUAdam]

I’m woefully ignorant?

What shred of evidence do you have to prove he’ll trounce ANY Democrat let alone every one?

What kind of appeal does Thompson have that Bush didn’t have in 2000, before all of the baggage of tough decisions that had to be made over the past 7 years?

[perfect_rovian_storm]

And what shred of evidence do you have that he won’t????

That’s what I thought.

How old are you? Do you even remember 2000? Conservatives were never excited about the prospect of GWB. There was nothing like the grassroots groundswell that has formed around Fred Thompson! Are you being deliberately obtuse or are you really that tone deaf?

[RockinRight]

What kind of appeal does Thompson have that Bush didn’t have in 2000, before all of the baggage of tough decisions that had to be made over the past 7 years?

Ability to communicate. Bush was never good at that. Respect for federalism and states' rights, another thing Bush never really focused on. Fred is socially conservative without coming across as a Bible-Thumper, which Bush always has and is one thing that would be a negative in the current political climate. At the same time though Fred still appeals to the Christian Right. A strong position in favor of border control without appearing to be a nutcase on the issue. Communicates conservatism without being a "compassionate conservative" - a great idea Bush had but it didn't turn out as well as we hoped, as it was not conservative in implementation.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

And what shred of evidence do you have that he won’t????

That’s what I thought.

How old are you? Do you even remember 2000? Conservatives were never excited about the prospect of GWB. There was nothing like the grassroots groundswell that has formed around Fred Thompson! Are you being deliberately obtuse or are you really that tone deaf?

[kevkrom]

What kind of appeal does Thompson have that Bush didn’t have in 2000

In no particular order:

• Talks straight, doesn't have to rely on wimpy phrases like "compassionate conservatism" nor does he promise "big government conservatism" -- Thompson just sells real conservatism and federalism, and does it well.
• Doesn't need to tap a running mate to give him "gravitas", since he already has it, in spades. This gives him the flexibility of choosing a VP that can deliver one or two key states.
• Running as the true grassroots choice, and not the "establishment" Republican.
• Is an excellent public speaker, and knows how to bypass the media filters and take his message straight to the public.
• Has a solid record of being a reformer, and coupled with being able to run as an outsider distances himself from the general disgust most people have with both parties.
• Is generally well-liked, even by his opponents.

[bcsco]

I’m woefully ignorant?

Well, you're not ignorant. But you've yet to respond to my post #30 in which I ask a question to a rather unthoughtful remark:

YOU: The public as a whole is tired of the Southern act from the Republicans.

ME: Then why is he polling so well even before entering the race?

If the public is so tired of the 'Southern act', then how is it that Fred is polling so well? I'd really like to know your answer. After all, the Rasmussen poll, which now has Fred one point ahead of Giuliani, is a national poll. It reflects Americans across the country; not just regional, Southern states.

Please respond.