Fred is looking better

The New Fire in Fred's Belly

(except it's not new)

Lawrence Kudlow interviewd Fred Thompson, discovering that, contrary to popular belief(or at least recent opinions), Fred DOES have the "fire" to go the distance. And the guts to tackle the hard decisions early on.

(Thompson) said, "If we don't tend to business we are going to be in big trouble. Pendulum's swinging against us. We are down in the polls. Independents are leaning the other way [where they] used to lean with us. So we've got to . . . adhere to the principles that made us a great party and a great nation." That was a strong dose of honesty and self-examination. Good for Fred Thompson.

We talked about his controversial Social Security reform plan that would slow down future benefits by indexing them to inflation rather than wages, while providing for add-on private savings accounts with a government match, much like the system for 401(k)s.

Lower benefits? Isn't that the proverbial third-rail of politics? Not according to Mr. Thompson. He said big problems ought to be tackled: "If you can't do the right thing, say what you believe and what everybody really basically knows, why do it? Why bother? Life is too short for the aggravation." (my emphasis)

Delegate Rules Give Thompson an Edge

By Peter Brown

If the early primaries and caucuses don’t decide the Republican presidential nomination, former Sen. Fred Thompson may enjoy an edge in any drawn-out delegate slugfest due to his Sun Belt roots and “red state” strength.

That’s because the way delegates are allocated to the Republican National Convention, which picks the White House nominee, gives disproportionate clout to states that President Bush carried in 2004 above what their population would otherwise dictate.

If this is true, Fred may have a fighting chance against the lack of media coverage.