Is It Shine Time for Fred Thompson?

FOX says that all eyes will be on Fred Thompson in tommorow’s debates. He’s had a lot of hype, so I agree. People will be watching to see if he can deliver when it matters.

Although nine Republicans will take part in the forum, which begins at 4 p.m. EDT in Dearborn, Mich., the focus will be on Thompson, a former Tennessee senator.

A late entry into the race, Thompson has sometimes struggled to answer questions on the campaign trail in his initial weeks as a full-fledged candidate.

He’s no stranger to the small screen. He spent years acting on NBC’s “Law & Order.” But the last time he engaged in a political debate was 1996 during his successful Senate re-election campaign.

Over the past two weeks, Thompson has held seven to nine debate sessions at his McLean, Va., campaign headquarters outside Washington, aides say. In each session, Thompson would answer timed questions on a variety of subjects. Aides then would stop and review answers with him.

Bill Kristol ponders whether he is more electable than Rudy.

Dick Morris says he is fading.

Sister Toldjah thinks he’s been overhyped:

My problem with Fred Thompson is that I think he has been overhyped. He’s someone I wanted to like - I really did. And I don’t use past tense to suggest I never will like him, but at this stage in the game I don’t see him as presidential material, and I say that as someone who hasn’t warmed up to Romney or Rudy, either, although Romney initially sounded appealing. I’m still in the undecided camp.

Same camp I am in. But I won’t listen to hype or pundits. We will see what Fred’s got at the debate.

Captain Ed:

Thompson has to perform well in this debate, and not just to impress Chris Matthews and Michigan. He has to establish that he can campaign well in the field, and no one gets a second chance to make a first impression. Everyone else on stage has been seen too many times for one debate to affect them much, but Thompson will have everyone’s attention. If he comes across poorly in this debate, the Thompson boomlet may end just as quickly as it began. If he holds his own or especially if he shines, it will effectively make him the candidate Rudy has to beat.

Hot Air gives us a preview of how Fred may be in the debates.

Frank J at IMAO has his suggestions for questions to Thompson at the debate.

Roger Simon says all Fred has to do is meet low expectations.

Right Truth has a great roundup.

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