Almost every Republican in Tennessee is clamoring for Fred Thompson to enter the presidential race. Congressmen Zack Wamp and Jimmy Duncan have announced they will serve as co-chairmen of the “Draft Fred Thompson 2008″ committee. This is all very interesting. I am skeptical that Thompson will enter the race, but, if he does, he will certainly be a force to be reckoned with. Indeed, I would most likely support him.
It’s also hardly surprising that Tennessee Republicans want Thompson to run. But it is interesting that Jimmy Duncan has been so quick to jump on the bandwagon. This is the same Jimmy Duncan, mind you, who has already endorsed Mitt Romney. Now, I don’t fault Duncan for switching his support; he didn’t know Thompson might run. Heck, I’ve switched my support before as well. But, like A.C., I don’t see why Duncan is so psyched about Fred Thompson.
Jimmy Duncan is the quintessential paleocon, or at least as close to one as you’re going to find in Congress, save for perhaps Ron Paul. He’s been an opponent of the Iraq war since before it started. I don’t see what Thompson could offer him ideologically to justify such excitement. Certainly, he wouldn’t offer much that Mitt Romney hasn’t already offered. Thompson is more conservative than any of the Big Three, sure, but he would not be the most conservative candidate in the race. And, on foreign policy, he’s not very different from President Bush. So why is Duncan so excited?
Maybe Duncan wants access to the president, and has concluded that Romney can’t win. I’m really not sure, but this looks very odd.
UPDATE: This post is taking part in the Beltway Traffic Jam.
