And Kate (#13), odds are his “flings” will be an issue however, I believe he’ll deal with them in a WAY more diplomatic way than Clinton did. He will simply tell the truth.

Hmmm, you hit Thompson’s other problem, right on. How is he going to dodge his womanizing ways. Maybe they just won’t come up?

I would support him for his politics first, his ability to carry himself second. As Kennedy proved, the man inside the package is not nearly as important as the packaging in todays politics.

Kennedy slept with everything that moved but looked better than Nixon, case closed. Carter was the antithesis of Nixon after Watergate and came into office. Reagan speaks for himself, he carried himself how a President should, the Democrats never had a chance. Bush Sr to Dukakis in the helmet… No question.

Clinton over Bush Sr. or Dole, again no question. Even the scandals in his wake never slowed him down. He looked Presidential after a vomiting Bush.

George Bush facing Kerry or Gore, close elections as they were visibly and on the stump mirror images of each other.

Now to today, looks and demeanor mean a great deal. We are political junkies but our vote counts as much as the person who does not follow politics and see’s glimpses of the candidates during the previews during the commercial breaks of Jerry Springer.

I would bet that Thompson vs McCain vs Giuliani, Thompson would win on sheer charisma and looking Presidential.

Thompson vs Obama or Hillary, same deal. This was to be an election between the wonks … look at the field. Nobody stood out, very much like 1992 when Clinton ran. As long as Thompson does not screw it up and get painted with the Bush brush, he should beat any Democrat for the Presidency.

Again, this is not ideology speaking, but pure political analysis in todays climate. As I said in the post, he fills in for Paul Harvey, so he will have a big chunk of the senior vote. He talks like a regular guy, so he will make inroads into the Reagan Democrats. Thompson also talks to the conservatives and will address the illegal immigration issue, which will carry large parts of the country.

So, it is another long answer to a short question, both. He has the look and the policies to be Presidential.

– Tom

I believe in voting so the candidate that does the best job of undermining and overturning this “piece of sh*t” bill gets my vote – regardless of party.