There is the question of the Federal Marriage Amendment. Thompson
initially stated that, although he is a federalist, he reluctantly
supported the Amendment because it was too important to do otherwise.
Now his staff has put out a clarification suggesting that Thompson does
not support the Amendment. That greatly has upset social conservatives,
many of whom believe that support for the Amendment a deal breaker. Thus
far, Thompson has declined to meet with important social conservatives
to clarify the matter.
If the Thompson balloon were launched high but then returned to earth,
with Thompson falling behind other candidates, that would mean the
several-month tease in the form of his exploratory committee would have
been for naught. But if the Thompson balloon were launched high and he
were to remain at or near the top, giving Giuliani a run for his money,
it would mean that Thompson had been able to unite the majority of
conservatives behind him. Giuliani has done remarkably well and has
received support from conservatives. Survey researchers have been amazed
at the support Giuliani continues to receive from conservatives, despite
his pro-abortion position, favoritism for special rights for homosexuals
and his three marriages. These researchers are told that they favor
Giuliani "because he has run something." There is no doubt that
America's Mayor turned around New York City in a remarkable way.
Thompson, by contrast, never has run a city, state or business. How much
that hurts him remains to be seen.
This will be a long electoral season. Let's hope the American voting
public doesn't get sick of the whole process.