[counterpunch]

Thompson -- who will spend 15 days in Iowa leading up to the Jan. 3 caucuses -- warned the country is "one successful terrorist plan away from nuclear attack."

Barely pausing to clear his throat, the former Tennessee Senator boomed, "it's not time for on-the-job training," a familiar jab on this year's campaign trail. Thompson believes he has the leadership skills to lead the country in national security issues.

Did Fred take this opportunity to mention that he was Chairman of the International Security Advisory Board for the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation at the State Department? Seems like a good time to mention it. Did he talk about the sort of issues he dealt with there or the projects he was involved in

He's not going to gain any traction until he he starts making these sorts of credentials front and center.

People are looking for a conservative alternative to Rudy Giuliani, but only if that person can first be equally as credible on the issue of terrorism and national security.

If Fred is able to figure that out in time, then he will be the nominee. If he doesn't or if he waits too long, then he will not.
 

[ejonesie22]

People are looking for a conservative alternative to Rudy Giuliani, but only if that person can first be equally as credible on the issue of terrorism and national security.

Then why are Rudy's numbers shrinking?

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

Did Fred take this opportunity to mention that he was Chairman of the International Security Advisory Board for the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation at the State Department?

Do you honestly believe that anyone, outside of policy wonks, are going to even be able to listen to the entire title

International Security Advisory Board for the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation

without their eyes glazing over?

ISAB/BISN is even too long for a decent acronym. Most people couldn't give a decent definition of "nonproliferation", much less figure out what it means in that title.

And the fact that "nonproliferation" seems to contain the words "nonprolife" could hurt him amongst the stupider elements of the pro life movement.

And no I'm not kidding. (Ask me how many times I get criticized by otherwise well meaning church members when I tell them one of my hobbies is "medieval philosophy". All they hear is "evil" and "philosophy")