Fred Thompson 2008

He's in.

I see eye to eye with Allahpundit on most things Fred, with the exception of Allah's cold, cold heart hating on Fred's folksy, red truck thing, so I basically agree with all of this regarding Fred's announcement:

Re: the web announcement video, that’s a lot of talking, son, and a lot of talking points, all of it synced up with head-bob choreography. I thought he’d start with a minute or so of addressing the camera and then segue into 10 minutes of video biography, a la McCain’s recent Vietnam ad, but on and on he goes. Clearly he’s trying to leverage the success he’s had with his radio commentaries: no frills, just a straight shooter calling it like he sees it, sans gimmicks — a neat trick for a Hollywood actor delivering a 15-minute oration with stagy head turns at key moments built in. The sheer volume of information and the pace at which he runs through it is daunting, though. God, family, peace with honor, secure borders, small government, a frisson of horror at the thought of another Clinton administration — it’s all in there, but it’s a lot to digest in one go and he seems to be rushing to shoehorn it all into the time available. How many people will sit through the whole thing?

Doesn’t much matter. He’s trying to make an impression and an extended Reaganesque soliloquy does that, at least. Thank god he’s in a den in a suit and tie, too. If he tried this in a denim shirt with the pick-up truck in the background, I’d be heading for the lifeboats.

I liked his Leno appearance a lot, though, much better than his last one. I like the jab at the other candidates who have been running from the time "they were in the high school choir." "People treat politicians like they do the dentist, they don't have anything to do with them until they have to."

I didn't watch the debate last night but I did catch the question posed to the other candidates about Fred not attending the debate. John McCain's answer about it being past Fred's bedtime elicited an "oh snap" from me. Who is McCain calling old? I mean, really. Giuliani's answer was funny about Fred doing a great job of playing Rudy's part on Law & Order. And Romney's answer was very classy too.

I'm looking forward to the race with Fred in it.