Thompson: A Less Than Auspicious Launch

As we pulled up to the Scamman Farm in Stratham, NH for the Seacoast Republican Women's Chili Fest, lightning bolts were on the horizon and the first rain drops began to fall. We made due haste to the first shelter we spotted, the porch of the old farm house on the property, and enjoyed the spectacle of a high-powered storm pounding down. The wind sent chairs tumbling across the yard, a large canopy tent collapsed and thick tree limbs cracked off burying cars on Route 108 and in the field turned parking lot for the Chili Fest.

About two hours later, the Thompson bus arrived in a light drizzle. The bus was fully wrapped as they say; embellished with a large photo of Thompson, heavy in shadings of gold and black, with the words "United by our core beliefs" written on the side.

The bus sat there as they played choral arrangements of first "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and then "This Land is Your Land". Finally, Thompson emerged. The applause was polite, less than exuberant. But this was no measure of Thompson's popularity. For the most part, only party activists were there and for the most part, they had already chosen their preferred candidate.

A large campaign worker, a man of considerable girth, handed out signs that looked intentionally crude and home made to a group of young men. They positioned themselves strategicaly to be in sight of any TV cameras with slogans like "I "heart" Fred."

Thompson's speech stuck to generalities. Born in Tennesse to parents who had no formal education "but who were the most wonderful parents in the world." Law school, federal prosecutor at 28, counsel to senate Republicans during Watergate. The start of his acting career and being elected to the US senate.

He spoke of ensuring freedom and how his work on the Government Affairs and Intelligence committees alerted him to the dangers of cutting funding for intelligence operations. He spoke of looking at "things that were pending", that "were not being attended to." He spoke of the need today to be "united as a people and be determined to do the things necessary to prevail, not only in Iraq but in the global war that we're a part of."

He finished his speech and immediately stepped down. Two voters in front of me took note. "He's not taking questions," they said. Afterwards, I found two older gentlemen who found him impressive. I found more voters who found him lacking in substance.