It’s official. Fred Thompson is off the sidelines and in the nomination game. Supporters say, “Fred’s got all the tools and looks great in his private workouts.”
I, on the other hand, have my doubts.
As Arthur Branch, Thompson might look like a franchise quarterback, but dropping back into the presidential pocket with #44 on his back is a far different proposition.
For a little perspective, please consider the 1998 NFL draft. There were two elite signal callers, Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf. The only debate was who to select first.
“Manning’s the more finished product,” went the conventional wisdom, “but Leaf might be a better long term prospect.”
Looking back today, that ‘debate’ is laughable. Leaf appears on the annual lists of Biggest Busts while the Canton bound Manning blows his nose with endorsement checks. They have as much in common as the Pope and Larry Flynt.
Which leads us to the question…who is Fred Thompson more like?
Manning distinguished himself by combining superior physical ability with equal amounts of aptitude and effort. Thompson, unfortunately, has no such track record. His career in the Senate is not characterized by legislative accomplishment or impassioned leadership, but by laziness.
The scouting report on Thompson is that he has the perfect voice to give a pregame speech and little else. If the presidency of George W. Bush has taught us anything, it’s that the job calls for much more than locker room talk.
In short, the Oval Office needs an occupant who can both read through his progressions and improvise when the pocket breaks down. Perhaps more important, the Commander in Chief should know how to find the film room and realize that the only way to win is by outworking your opponent.
Message to the GOP: despite the Tennessee connection, Fred Thompson is no Peyton Manning.
