Fred Thompson’s speech was a little heavy on the civics lesson, but, stylistically, he maintained the hearth-and-home magnetism responsible for at least half of his appeal. He also maintained a baffling mix of endurance and sacrifice that leaves us wondering what in the world the point of the speech was. Everything about the man’s demeanor, and most things about his words, suggested a noble drop-out from the race. But it’s a very strange choice to do so in subtle code. He spoke of those who “deserve to lead,” yet gave no clear indication that he should or shouldn’t be numbered amongst them. Any comparisons between Thompson and Reagan as the great communicator are non-starters from this point on.

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