Republican and Conservative political analysis and commentary

Here's a report from Fred Thompson's speech to the attendees at the convention of the National Restaurant Association in Chicago this past weekend.

...the crowd of restaurant professionals ate it up, giving Thompson a standing ovation as he entered and another when his remarks ended. Kevin Mundy, who works for a Maryland restaurant company, said he thought Thompson was "being real."

"It's just what the country is looking for - somebody who is going to cut through the political jargon and get to the point," Mundy said.

Rebecca Eastham, a hotel management teacher at Oklahoma State University, found Thompson "genuine and down home." The crowd even cheered when Thompson admitted to a questioner that he didn't know much about Indian gaming and "wasn't going to soft-shoe" on the issue.

One of the louder ovations came when the possibility of Thompson's running for president was mentioned.

Thompson's next speech is scheduled for June 3 at a Virginia Republican Party gala in Richmond, two days before the next GOP presidential debate in New Hampshire. Thompson also is booked for a June 12 appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and there is speculation that he might announce his presidential bid in that forum.