Opinion: George Will, Skeptic

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New polls are helping fuel the Fred Thompson presidential boomlet, but veteran conservative commentator George F. Will is pouring a LARGE dose of cold water on the enthusiasm surrounding the former Tennessee senator.

In his Newsweek column, Will addresses head-on the comparisons being made between Thompson and Ronald Reagan--- and he finds the link facile. Reagan, he writes, ‘greatly communicated ideas and agendas. What Thompson enthusiasts are smitten by, so far, is his manner’ (the italics come from Will).

Will long has been a ferocious critic of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law, contending that it’s a blatant restriction on freedom of speech, and he clearly views Thompson’s support of that measure as a huge --- perhaps unforgivable --- strike against him. Most Republicans don’t like that law either, but it’s doubtful they’ll hold it as strongly against Thompson as Will does. Still, the column is full of great lines and, more importantly, it’s a useful reminder that once a player on the sidelines enters the fray, the cheering can quickly turn to jeers.

-- Don Frederick