I'm still not sure about Thompson. He looks presidential but this isn't American idle. (Misspelling intentional)
in fact, it is. independents decide these elections, and you need candidates with name recognition and "face" recognition to attract voters who aren't plugged into politics.
my advice to Thompson - if you are going to get in, get in now - don't play games and wait it out. get in, get known, get money, get going.
I like Duncan Hunter, but Thompson would have the name recognition. Thompson's always played likable authority figures in the movies and TV, so that would give him a leg up.
Fred served in the Senate so he's not exactly some dope off the street.
"He looks presidential but this isn't American idle."
In the "Information Age", that is EXACTLY what this is...
Thompson left the Senate to do what he's doing now. He didn't care about having power when he left. The worst people to have in charge of anything is somebody that wants power for personal reasons, like Mrs. Bill Clinton.