Fred Thompson & The Debate

As I write this, I am listening to the left-leaning anchors on CNBC, particularly Carlos Quintillana, poke fun of Fred Thompson.

The line I've heard most often today- perhaps 5 times already- is something like,

'You know, it's been 11 years since Thompson's been in a debate. Does he still have it? Can he still hold his own?'

Give me a break!

The guy is a successful actor. He's used to presenting himself as needed. The liberals used to delight in poking fun of that two-term President, Ronald Reagan, too.

Yep. Both times that he beat their best candidate.

I find it odd that liberals are given credibility for having anything of value to say about Thompson.

Just a few minutes ago, when Erin Burnett repeated another oft-heard Thompson knock,

'I've heard he has a reputation for being lazy,'

Quintanilla replied something like,

'I don't know, maybe because he's an actor?' and then mumbled some follow-on comment.

My guess is that the CNBC personality was in high school when Thompson was in the Senate representing Tennessee. I doubt Quintanilla even knows much about Thompson's background.

Between some conservative political pundits demanding that Thompson essentially produce a new, fresh plan and solution for every national ill, and liberal political pundits joking that he can't actually speak, it seems these professional observers have set quite the high bar for this candidate.

In total, these observers may constitute 40 votes come November, 2008.

My guess, coming about 90 minutes prior to the Dearborn Republican Presidential candidates' debate, is that Thompson will hold his own, and then some. He's been to the big games, played on the national political and legislative stage for years.

That said, it should be an interesting discussion. Hopefully, in toto, these candidates- Giuliani, Thompson, Romney- will provide the American voting public with attractive, optimistic, credible tax and spending policies which will provide stark contrast to the gloom and tax agendas of Hillary, Obama, and Edwards.