Is Fred the New Reagan?

June 1, 2007

 

The comparisons, I guess, are inevitable. They both made the transition from acting to politics. They both spent time doing radio commentary. They're both conservative. But that's where the similarities really end. Don't take this the wrong way but Fred Thompson is no Ronald Reagan. Nor should he want to be. Fred Thompson is his own man; his own unique personality. As we await his announcement on his plans to run for president, millions of Americans are being conditioned to expect the guy with a full head of hair and a disarming smile who will cheer us on to win just one more for the Gipper. Those expecting to see Reagan incarnate will be sadly disappointed and Fred should be doing everything he can to distance himself from the comparisons.

 

What's so appealing about Fred is his no-nonsense approach to our nation's problems. While policy wonks over-complicate issues, Fred cuts through the lofty double-speak of Washington and puts the cookies on the low shelf in a colloquial style we all can understand. In that sense, he's much like the Great Communicator but it's a very different kind of communication. While Reagan fine-tuned FDR's style, Fred is more a blend of Andy Griffith and Will Rogers. His folksy approach is sometimes deemed too low-key for the campaign stump and he'll have to be careful in that regard. But, ultimately, Fred Thompson is entering the presidential stage right on cue and his message of getting back to bedrock, conservative values will play very well to an audience hungry for the old GOP.

 

That's not to say that Fred won't have some obstacles to overcome. Certainly playing catch-up in the money department is one of them. Once he enters the race, the days of calling the shots and being coy with the press will be over. He'll be under the same daily scrutiny as the others and there are bound to be some missteps. The press will, no doubt, strip the varnish of every facet of Fred's life. Some believe his personal dating life prior to his marriage will be a factor. I doubt very seriously if the love life of a bachelor will gain much traction.

 

Fred's vulnerable points will be his Washington connections. His disdain for politics in Washington is well known. What isn't as well known is his career-long stint as a lobbyist and political player behind the scenes. His membership in the Council on Foreign Relations is the ultimate insider's membership card. The CFR has long been looked upon with suspicion by those who fear a one-world government and feel the puppet strings of power are being pulled by a chosen few. Were I Fred, I would get out in front of that issue either by resigning as a member or clearly explaining the organization and stripping away any vestiges of secrecy.

 

Having studied at the knee of Howard Baker it will be almost impossible to sell himself as a Washington outsider. Instead, Fred should embrace his political pedigree without embracing politics as usual.

 

I'm sure policy papers are being prepared, position statements are being written, stump speeches are being refined and staff members are being hired. The machine is gearing up and before too long it will become that unwieldy beast that can either carry a candidate to victory on its back or turn and devour him. Fred needs to maintain control in order for his candidacy to reflect who he is, not reflect the agenda of political handlers. As a close advisor once said about Reagan, the same can be said about Fred. Let Fred be Fred.