Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Why Didn't We Endorse Thompson?   [Kathryn Jean Lopez]

E-mailers are asking me this, especially in the last half hour. I'll let the editorial/endorsement speak for itself:

Fred Thompson is as conservative as Romney, and has distinguished himself with serious proposals on Social Security, immigration, and defense. But Thompson has never run any large enterprise — and he has not run his campaign well, either. Conservatives were excited this spring to hear that he might enter the race, but have been disappointed by the reality. He has been fading in crucial early states. He has not yet passed the threshold test of establishing for voters that he truly wants to be president.

Romney is an intelligent, articulate, and accomplished former businessman and governor. At a time when voters yearn for competence and have soured on Washington because too often the Bush administration has not demonstrated it, Romney offers proven executive skill. He has demonstrated it in everything he has done in his professional life, and his tightly organized, disciplined campaign is no exception. He himself has shown impressive focus and energy.

It is true that he has less foreign-policy experience than Thompson and (especially) McCain, but he has more executive experience than both. Since almost all of the candidates have the same foreign-policy principles, what matters most is which candidate has the skills to execute that vision.

ME: I like a lot of what Fred says. But he hasn't hit a campaign stride and I could be wrong, but I don't see it happening. And that might be fine. He's a great American and we won't be seeing the last of him if he doesn't become the Republican nominee for president.

12/12 03:41 PMShare