The monitor shows a standing ovation to his conclusion. It wasn’t Thompson’s best speech – some stretches of silence - but I think he did what he needed. I can see why some folks – gah, I’m saying ‘folks,’ this folksiness is contagious – don’t like Fred Thompson’s style on the stump. It’s vague, general, casual and conversational. He meanders to his points, it’s not fiery, charged up. He’s rarely angry, more head-shaking exasperation with the flawed ways of Washington. But I think it works for him, and it works for people who don’t need the wonkish policy brief.
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I have video from the smaller Virginia gathering, so I'll have that up in a bit. Jeri Thompson is even more glamorous in person, and accompanied him to the podium for both speeches today. During the Virginia one, she stood comfortably in the front row, alongside all the Virginia activists, and seemed willing to chat quietly with those who offered their cards and well wishes.
Here's Fred, so you can judge for yourself. I'm not a huge fan of the plan to "get together a bunch of people who can figure out solutions" to major problems, which Thompson touches upon. I don't need a policy paper, but I could use a bit more than that. That doesn't mean he doesn't
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