What makes Thompson such a strong candidate?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

He's a pro-war southern conservative who's closely aligned with Bush. Yeah, that's EXACTLY what the GOP needs to retain the White House. What's so great about him?

(Note to those who have difficult of reading: The question is "What makes Thompson such a strong candidate?" not "What makes Hillary a weak candidate?")

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

People remember what happened when they elected an actor last time?

Essentially he's a decent media performer, with a profile. Despite six years in the Senate he hasn't got too much of a political record to defend, which in the Rep. primary, is a good thing.

[Aizen]

On all the interviews I've seen he seems..... slow.

[Joe Republic]

He's got a whole bunch of ex-girlfriends who have publicly endorsed him!  And if that doesn't make him a strong candidate, I don't know what does.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article1977478.ece


Uh, apart from that, I don't really know.

[DownWithTheLeft]

It's kind of like getting contaminated water in the desert, you really don't care what is in there as long as it is something.  His greatest asset is Rudy McRomney

[Eraserhead]

Nothing. Basset hound face gets crushed in a general election when voters realize that he doesn't understand the issues and that he is extremely lazy.

[Reluctant Republican]

I don't see how he can even win the nomination. I mean, he'll be at least 40 million behind the leaders of the pack. And you have to assume that the image is always greater then the man. I doubt when Thompson really begins to campaign, he''ll win many people over. If your not with him yet, I doubt you'll ever be with him, because this is really the peak of his hype. As it is, I only really think he can go downhill. Who knows though, maybe I'm missing something.

[Conan]

Nothing. Basset hound face gets crushed in a general election when voters realize that he doesn't understand the issues and that he is extremely lazy.

Do you agree with me that he looks sickly and unelectable, according to his actual physical appearance?

[Verily]

Nothing. Basset hound face gets crushed in a general election when voters realize that he doesn't understand the issues and that he is extremely lazy.

Do you agree with me that he looks sickly and unelectable, according to his actual physical appearance?

He doesn't look sickly, he looks kind of scary, which certainly isn't a positive. It makes it difficult for him to appear optimistic or open to change simply because his natural face is rather aggressive. Is that bad? Well, I can't think of a President with a similar set jaw; it reminds me of Cheney more than anyone else, and that's certainly not a good subconscious connection.

Of course, how much that would actually affect an election is a whole different issue. I doubt it would have much, if any, impact, but you never know.

[poughies]

I'm thinking Fred Picker. Squasi unknown, but political past. Has experience.

Once the ghosts come out it might be the end...... Though I'm one who thought for a while that Romney wouldn't get off the ground.

[Joe Republic]

I'm thinking Fred Picker. Squasi unknown, but political past. Has experience.

Once the ghosts come out it might be the end...... Though I'm one who thought for a while that Romney wouldn't get off the ground.

Fred Picker, eh?  Are you suggesting that Thompson is a corrupt former coke fiend and a closet homosexual? 

[skybridge]

Nothing.

[StateBoiler]

[minionofmidas]

He isn't a strong candidate, not really. It's just that all the other candidates aren't exactly what you'd call "strong" either.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

Thompson is the dream candidate because he hasn't actually entered the race in earnest.  His hypothetical candidacy represents more of an ideal than anything tangible; once voters realize that the man has faults just like any other, his numbers will fall to exactly where they belong.

[Sam Spade]

Thompson is the dream candidate because he hasn't actually entered the race in earnest.  His hypothetical candidacy represents more of an ideal than anything tangible; once voters realize that the man has faults just like any other, his numbers will fall to exactly where they belong.

^^^^^

Of course, I don't deny that his numbers could go up when his faults are recognized, but I consider that an extremely remote possibility, especially of what I've seen of him on TV so far.