Is Fred dead?

By Libby
Updated below

Figuratively speaking of course. Now that Freddie Thomspon has officially entered the race, the burning question is, did he wait too long? His opponents are certainly treating him as a real contender. Mike Huckabee, noting his complaints about the current format, has challenged him to a Lincoln/Douglas style debate. Huckabee closes with the white glove slap.

Senator, let's lead by example and get the ball rolling. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this idea and debating you in front of the American people.

I signed in support of the challenge. I can't wait for Thompson to prove his substance with folksy bromides like this:

“We’ve got to learn to skip and chew gum at the same time.”

William Langley at the Telegraph thinks Fred's creds might play well with independents and wavering Republicans.

He voted against the impeachment of former President Bill Clinton, whom he likes and discreetly admires; is comfortable in the cutesy-liberal Hollywood firmament; and on the crucial conservative litmus test of abortion has taken positions that appear, to say the least, ambivalent.

All this, compounded by Fred's polished communications skills, abundant charisma and ability to blow his stack on cue, is likely to play well among voters grown weary and sceptical of neo-con ideology.

I take some issue with the charisma and polished communication skills everyone seems to be honing in on. I just don't see it. But in any event, if he's lost KaLo Rick Brookhiser , I think he can forget about the neo-con vote.

Fred Thompson came to the offices of National Review some years when he was still in the Senate. I liked him fine. He has done nothing, anywhere, ever. The Hubble Telescope could not find what he has done, because he has not done it.

It would be unwise to put such a man in the White House at this moment in history.

Yeah, I know KayLo is all damp panties over Mitt, [Sigh. I really need more sleep.] but still, as the Telegraph piece points out.

It is going to be a long road; an expensive and exhausting one.
Giuliani has already spent more money than Fred has raised, and the Law and Order man continues to be dogged by the perception that, for all the volcanic huffing and puffing that attends his presence, he lacks the application to see demanding jobs through.

Rebutting such allegations is not easy, although help will be waiting when Fred visits his old home town, Lawrenceburg, next week. In his last school yearbook, he penned a parting note: "The lazier a man seems, the more he plans to do tomorrow."

The trouble is, with Freddie, tomorrow never comes. I don't think he's got what it takes to go the distance. In fact, I'm willing to go out on a limb and predict that he'll never make it to the convention. Save this link for future laudery or mockery, as will be appropriate when the time comes.

Update: Via Avedon, a new question on the candidate arises. Is Freddie really a Buffy villian? Decide your yourself. Personally, I think those Buffy guys look more like Chertoff, but if Fred continues to lose weight, I may revise that opinion.