People all over are weighing in on how Fred Thompson’s entry into the GOP race will affect other campaigns. I continue to believe that he’s the Wesley Clark of the right and will flame out rather quickly, once he realizes that running for president requires more of him than sitting in an overstuffed leather chair dispensing gruff wisdom to earnest Assistant District Attorneys over whiskey. (Yes, I’d rather him stay on the show.)
Some more conventional wisdom:
Jonathan Martin thinks it’s bad news for everyone: He notes that it’s Rudy that loses the most support in polls in which Thompson is included, he’s a more certain choice a social conservative than Romney, and he’s a fresh face compared to McCain. Martin also points out that Thompson entering the race puts McCain in the position of running against an old friend and ally.
Chris Cillizza declares Romney to be the biggest loser in Fredstakes, mostly due to the social conservative bona fides Thompson brings. McCain, he says, gets some good and bad effects. Thompson dilutes the support of the rest of the field, but could seriously eat into McCain’s fundraising potential. For Rudy, it’s almost all good: Thompson will make the fight to be the social conservative choice nasty, and Rudy sail above it all to the nomination.
All together: Bomp-bom!