The Fred Thompson romance

By Michael J.W. Stickings

Unsatisfied with McCain, Giuliani, and Romney -- although perhaps not Brownback -- Republicans are searching desperately for a suitably conservative candidate to run in '08.

Enter: Fred Thompson of Law & Order, Die Hard 2, and The Hunt for Red October.

The hardest of the hardcore love him. Consider what Powerline's Paul Mirengoff has to say about the former Watergate lawyer and senator from Tennessee: "Thompson looks like the perfect blend of the Allen/Frist/Romney/Gingrich and McCain/Giuliani 'factions.'"

I know that sounds like a terrible insult, but, well, not to conservatives.

Ring the bell. See the drool: "He seems to combine the conservatism of the former cluster with at least some of the popularity and stature of the latter pairing... What will matter is whether Thompson is prepared to campaign diligently for the nomination. If so, he likely will represent a force to be reckoned with."

Yeah, whatever. Maybe. Actually, I suspect he would be a formidable candidate. All these conservatives evidently want is a more popular (and presumably less bigoted) George Allen. Thompson may very well be their man.

Remember, Republicans don't take a dump, son, without a plan.