I like Fred Thompson. However, other than the former-actor angle, I was never convinced of the Reagan linkage. Thompson’s politics seemed more Bob Dole than Ronald Reagan. In terms of politics: Thompson > McCain >>>>>>>>>>>>>Obama.
Thompson, like Reagan, was quietly culturally libertarian. Remember his comment about feeling that God had no problem with his low key approach to religion, so no one else should either.
This was one of the keys to Reagan’s success: he stood for *protecting* the ability to live (and raise kids) according to traditional values but stood against the idea of *imposing* them. If the GOP remembers this it will swamp BHO and his ilk...if its forgotten it will not.