I suspect the GOP faithful will discover the obvious truth about Fred Thompson pretty soon: he's an uninspired candidate with no real reason for running for President. He has no organizing principles other than vague paeans to "federalism" and has no idea what that might mean in practice. Support for him is a result of GOP discontent with the rest of the field and nothing else. Dixie conservatives are desperate for one of their own atop the ticket - George Allen was ready to be that man until he macacaed out - and now they place their hopes on Fred Thompson. But Thompson just hasn't delivered in any meaningful way. His delivery is soporific. His motives are uncertain. His performance in debate is still completely untested. His financial apparatus is still largely confined to the Tennessee GOP mafia and nowhere else. There are still major questions about his internal campaign team. And the most important core constituency in the GOP - Christian conservatives - is lukewarm toward him.

Right now Thompson is a placeholder. I wouldn't count out a McCain comeback similar to that of Kerry before the Iowa caucus in 2004. Giuliani is certifiably insane. Thompson is unserious about his own reason for being in the race; I'm ready for him to pull an Admiral Stockdale in the debate ("Why am I even here?") Romney is too slick a panderer. That leaves McCain, the original front-runner, and one who could win a general election.

I'm ready for him to pull an Admiral Stockdale in the debate ("Why am I even here?")

Yes, it does appear that is where Thompson is at this point in the race.

His financial apparatus is still largely confined to the Tennessee GOP mafia and nowhere else.

Watch how you talk about the KNS, which has done its second fluff piece on Freddie in less than one week. But there is that pulling for him, at least.