Fred Thompson Joins the Political Big Leagues

Fred Thompson joined the political big leagues by appearing side-by-side with his GOP rivals in the Oct. 9 debate in Dearborn, Michigan. Apart from a rusty start after being tossed the very first question by Chris Matthews, the candidate settled down fairly quickly and actually began to appear comfortable discussing the issues.

This was Thompson's very first foray into the national spotlight within the context of a major political debate. As a U.S. Senator his campaigns were regional. As an actor his TV appearances were scripted. A major political debate, however, featuring all of your Party's heavy-weights and a live audience to boot, is in a league of its own that makes Senatorial campaigns and acting roles seem like small potatoes.

Yet Thompson showed that not only was he ready to play in the big leagues but that he could hold his own with such standouts as Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, and Mitt Romney. He was serious, steady, humorous at times, and most of all he provided details to proposals to save Medicare and Social Security.

Beyond that, he told the truth in plain language.

Americans have an affinity for candidates who can connect with them, speak their language, and yet inspire confidence. Fred Thompson is able to pull that off magnificently as opposed to one of his opponents in the other Party, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

How can a candidate who has a long history of corruption and a tendency to cover past untruths with more untruths inspire any confidence at all?

This, in essence, is Hillary's main problem, and it is a problem that will haunt her for the rest of her life whether she wins the Presidency or not.

Thompson has already pulled into 2nd place behind Mitt Romney in Iowa, the first caucus state, in spite of the fact that he has spent nowhere near the megabucks Romney has unleashed on the state.

In fact, a case could be made that were it not for the megabucks Romney has spent attempting to buy votes in Iowa, and that with mostly his own personal funds, Thompson would probably be in first place in the state. Thompson is also ahead in another early key primary state, South Carolina.

Thus, it's a whole new ballgame. And Fred was right. The race was starting to get rather boring without him.