I have no particular proof for this claim, but my sense is that Fred Thompson missed his moment. Various GOP contenders have performed well in recent debates and campaign stops, their flaws have been absorbed by the electorate, and I'm just not hearing the same search for a savior I once was. Indeed, I agree with Jason Zengerle, who suggests Thompson will prove a Wes Clark figure, though I think even that may overstate his appeal. He'll have a blip of buzz, to be sure, but my guess is he'll rapidly sink into the second tier, and remain there. Come the first debate, his challenge will unite the main three, as he poses the same threat to each of them. That he dropped out of political life after 9/11 will not look good when stacked against the recent service of those across from him on the stage.
