Fred Thompson made his first appearance in a Republican presidential candidates debate today - and would have made more impression on a cushion. His performance is not going to dispel the gathering doubts over his campaign.
Although Thompson managed to walk and chew gun at the same time, his answers in the debate were vague and lacked substance. John McCain, Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani all gave sharper answers than the ring-rusty Thompson - who appeared to be consulting notes during his answers.
None of which helps Thompson, who has been savaged by Dan Bartlett, President Bush's former adviser, who labelled him the campaign's "biggest dud", saying: "I don't feel very good that Fred Thompson's going to be the candidate for my party."
Read on for Thompson first debate answer....
Question: "The economy is America's greatest strength. In a recent poll by the Wall Street Journal and NBC News, two-thirds of the American people said that we are either in a recession or headed toward one. Do you agree with that? And, as president, what will you do to ensure economy vibrancy in this country?"
Thompson: "I think there is no reason to believe that we're headed for a recession. We're enjoying 22 quarters of successive economic growth that started 2001 and then further in 2003 with the tax cuts that we put in place. We're enjoying low inflation. We're enjoying low unemployment. The stock market seems to be doing pretty well. I see no reason to believe we're headed for an economic downturn."
Not a great answer in Michigan, the state where the debate was held, where the car industry is under severe attack, and the housing market is suffering.
Follow-up: "Senator, you painted a very nice picture. The Dow and the S&P 500 today at new highs - tonight - record numbers. And yet, two-thirds of the people surveyed said we are either in a recession or headed for one. Why the angst?"
Thompson: "Well, I think there are pockets in the economy that, certainly, they're having difficulty. I think they're certainly - those in Michigan that are having difficulty. I think you always find that in a vibrant, dynamic economy."
Pockets of difficulty? Try telling that to the workers at GM and Ford, and anyone trying to sell their house.
