An open letter to Fred Thompson

Mr. Thompson,

I am writing this letter to ask that you seek the Republican nomination for President of the United States. The party needs you. Those of us who identify with the principles of modern conservatism need you. Your country needs you. Ok, I'll stop with the melodrama, but I really do want you to run.

You've no doubt noticed that the race for the Republican nomination is turning into little more than a Ronald Reagan sound-alike contest. We have the former mayor of New York and the former governor of Massachusetts waxing (kind of) eloquent about shrinking the size and scope of government. Save us, Fred. Oops. There's that melodrama again, but we really do need saving.

We need saving from the mush-mouthed moderation of Giuliani and McCain. We need saving from the nonstarters like Tancredo (who?) and Brownback (we can't have a nominee whose name sounds like a gay cowboy movie). We need you, Fred. Come on. You're an older, reasonably well-known actor with a grandfatherly (no offense) manner, a smooth delivery and bona fide conservative chops. You can win the Reagan contest before it even gets started. Perhaps that's why you're biding your time - no need to get your hands dirty so early on. Or maybe you were waiting to see if Law & Order was going to get picked up for another season, which it did. I hope that's not a bad sign. Although, I guess there's always the possibility of a Thompson/Waterston ticket.

Perhaps most important of all, as much as it pains me to say it, we need the anti-Bush. For many of the reasons I've outlined above, that's just what you are. That's what makes you so electable - not just in the primary, but in the general election. I would put my money on you against anyone in the current Democratic field. The thought of seeing you debate Hillary Clinton makes me grin the way I grin when I finish covering the toilet bowl with saran wrap. It just wouldn't be fair.

So, Fred, I guess that's all I have to say. Please run. Pretty please.

Respectfully,

Rochester Pundit Team