It occurred to me last night (I read the press release rather than watching CSpan), that Fred Thompson is setting himself up as America's 21st Century John Wayne.  Folksy.  Articulate.  Down-home homie for traditionalists.  An aging old-west cowboy hero, capable of leading the charge -- maybe not from the saddle of a mighty steed, but at least from the back of a borrowed pick-up.  Replete with conservative themes dealing with everything from ethics, family, fair-play, less government, yada yada yada.

Keep that image, Fred.  America needs it. 

But this man of commendable carriage and the mesmerizing voice (think Garrison Keillor, James Earl Jones, Paul Harvey, Will Rogers) would be mincemeat on the political stage against Shrillary. 

Remember -- Shrill has his FBI file, courtesy of her Filegate involvement. 

I can see Shrillary and her staff salivating now:  Yum Yum eat'em up.  "Finally -- we can get even with him for that Whitewater fiasco, too."

Legislatively, Fred and Shrillary are about equal.  He knew when to get out, however.  Neither had (or have had) much success in sponsoring or initiating legislative reform .....

Fred and Shrill go back a few years .....

Shrill was the First Lady who meddled while her hubby-President piddled.  Fred chaired the 1996 Senate Campaign Finance fiasco that fell short in indicting the Clintons (both Bill AND Shrillary) on illegal campaign contributions and other mis-deeds such as Whitewater.   (Google Whitewater and the Clinton financial fiascos for more info.)

Never forget:  Shrillary has Fred's FBI file -- thanks to her personal role in Filegate.  She's bound to hold the ut-oh's to Fred's daze as a lobbyist and as a womanizer.

Here's but one 1996 account of Fred's background that harbors  potential Fred-fodder for Shrill's grazing .....