Declaring now would just set Fred up for a longer period to be twisted into a unrecognizable characterization of his personal and professional record.
With HC being such a weak and flawed candidate combined with pent up Dem motivation, swift-boat trauma still fresh, war raging, and the currently scandal crazed DC leadership, the politics of personal destruction will reach a level beyond anything nearly anyone can imagine.
I expect the press and strategists to reach new lows, as everyone searches for the bottom in negative, misleading campaigning.
The primaries are supposed to be a vetting process wherein the candidate proves he/she has the stamina, appeal, background, experience, and character to be president. The candidate is supposed to be examined, challenged, and thoroughly scrutinized by the press and voters. If the candidate is unwilling to go through that process, and Thompson apparently isn’t, he/she shouldn’t be running.
I see Giuliani, Romney, McCain, Hillary, Obama, and the rest willing to stand up and take it. Where’s Fred??? Cold feet??? Lacking the stomach and the stamina for the campaign??? Republicans shouldn’t buy a pig in a poke. Fish or cut bait, Thompson. Pee or get off the pot.