Reverse Bounce?

Will Fred Thompson get the opposite of the "announcement bounce" to his poll numbers? With months of steady leakage and frothy press coverage (the press has repeatedly said he appeals to conservatives in search of a candidate, which amounts to repeating the #1 Thompson talking point), he's already gotten most of the pluses he can expect. For now, the announced candidates are ignoring him. Once he steps in, however, he could unite them.

Hat tip to Drudge for linking to this Politico story on the arsenal that is being assembled ahead of Thompson's announcement. The bottom line of the barrage is: conservatives, keep looking.

Thompson voted for McCain-Feingold, but now has backed off. He voted for limits on abortion, but has said repeatedly that he is pro-choice, at least to the extent that he opposes criminalizing abortion.

Thompson's conservative credentials ride, I think, on his ability to convince primary voters that he is truly a federalist. As a senator, his reputation was to do very little. If that is because of his federalist beliefs, very well. This country could benefit from a less-activist presidency. But if it's because he was lazy and enjoying the good life of an appointed senator (he admits to chasing women during his service), then he's not exactly the man we want at the reins.