Chris Cillizza gives it a go:By walking away from a sure-thing second term in 2002, Thompson
reinforced that populist image. He also spent the next five years
outside of Washington as his party steadily lost the trust of the
American public. Thompson can make the argument that he wants to be
part of the solution. That's a compelling argument when paired with
Thompson's conservative credentials and personal attributes.
The final piece of the Thompson puzzle is money. McCain, Romney and
Giuliani have all been in the race and raising money for months (if not
years), and with the pricetag for the nomination estimated at between
$50 and $100 million the ability to raise millions of dollars is a huge
hurdle.
Lucky for Thompson that his home state is renowned for its
willingness to donate to political candidates. Beginning with Sen.
Howard Baker's (R-Tenn.) run for the presidency in 1980 and with Al
Gore's first run in 1988 and then both of Sen. Lamar Alexander's
unsuccessful bids for national office (and don't former Sen. Bill
Frist's abbreviated run), Volunteer State donors are acclimated to
supporting their native sons.
John McCain helps make the case by reminding us all that he is no Fred Thompson.
We fiscal conservatives don't take kindly to Club for Growth bashing.
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