Last week I spent about an hour asking my Republican colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives what they thought about the possibility of former Sen. Fred Thompson running for President. What happened then was the political equivalent of March Madness with over 40 Members of Congress immediately signing up to either meet with Fred or outright volunteering to help. When I spoke with Senator Thompson this week, I told him it was like someone set off fireworks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.
There are many reasons Fred should run for President and they have nothing to do with anyone else currently running from either party. So here we go:
1. He personifies strength and trust - the two primary characteristics people look for in a President.
2. He is a natural leader - let's face it. Some politicians are but most are not.
3. He is a consistent conservative - from national security and second amendment rights to the sanctity of life and traditional marriage, Fred is a strong conservative.
4. He has charisma - in the Senate they call it "gravitas." At home it's just plain old confidence. Fred knows who he is, where he came from and where we, as a nation, should go together.
5. He has plenty of experience - not a career politician, but from cleaning up government corruption to chairing select committees on Chinese missile technology, Fred Thompson has the right amount of experience.
6. He is highly electable - Fred Thompson has always been likeable. From the movie set to the Senate floor, he is just "good ol' Fred" to everyone he comes in contact with.
7. He has "star quality" - let's face it, we are at the height of the information age. The media overdoes it so someone who is media friendly and has some celebrity is advantaged.
8. He has a great sense of humor - during the difficult times in which we live, we need a touch of humor. Fred is serious minded but does not take himself too seriously.
9. He is comfortable in his own skin - What you see is what you get. Fred Thompson is the real deal and it shows.
10. He is a Tennessean - perhaps the biggest plus of all and sorry y'all...you have to be one to really understand.
If you feel as I do, let Fred know it. I think he is the closest thing to Ronald Reagan we have seen in a long time.
Zach Wamp
Member of Congress