Writing at HughHewitt.com, Dean Barnett, a supporter of Mitt Romney, examines the new dynamics of the race for the GOP presidential nomination now that Fred Thompson has jumped in.
1) As an avowed Romney supporter, you must be ready to jump out the window because Fred entered the race. Admit it – you’re despondent!
Not at all. The stronger the field, the stronger the ultimate nominee will be. Besides, I wasn’t kidding about the McCain campaign being over. I truly believe he’ll drop out before the leaves change, probably some time between Ames and Labor Day. And a two man race at such an early date would be unhealthy.
2) At the risk of veering off subject, don’t you give any credence to those polls that show McCain doing well?
The ARG ones? The ones that have Fred at 6%? No, I don’t. And honestly, I don’t believe the McCain campaign does either.
3) Okay – back on subject. If you want Romney to win, why do you welcome Fred into the race? Are you insane?
Insane like a fox! To date, it’s been too easy for Mitt. McCain knocked himself out. And, I might as well predict this for the record, but before I do let me reiterate that if Rudy gets the nomination I will support him enthusiastically. I believe that sometime between now and the end of the road, Rudy will commit a campaign blunder that will be bigger than the Dean Scream, “Stop Lying About my Record”, Ed Muskie crying on the back of a truck and George Romney’s “brainwashed” comment combined. I think Rudy will establish the gold standard for all future campaigning boners.
4) Why?
He’s an undisciplined campaigner, and the candidates are in the spotlight for 15 hours a day, 6 days a week. Rudy’s style makes for a ticking time-bomb in this age of the YouTube.
5) How will Fred be as a candidate?
He’s formidable. But he’ll obviously have the problem of living up to the hype.
Read the whole thing, though I still want to know what Hugh Hewitt, who wrote the pro-Romney book A Mormon in the White House, thinks about Thompson and his entry into the race.
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