Newswise — The race for the presidency in 2008 is already in high gear with debate season well underway, yet one of the Republican frontrunners, Fred Thompson of Tennessee, is only now officially entering the race; does he have what it takes to get elected? A national campaign is not like riding a pickup across Tennessee.
Marcus D. Pohlmann, professor of political science at Rhodes College in Memphis, isn't so sure. He says Thompson will have to galvanize most of the 2/3 of Republicans who don't seem enamored with Rudy Guiliani. To do this, he will have to campaign firmly to the right to reconstitute the Bush "family values coalition," without losing his access to independents and moderate Democrats and Republicans who appear ready for a change from the status quo.
But, Pohlmann admits, even Ronald Reagan, to whom Thompson would like to be compared, might not be able to accomplish such an ambitious undertaking. "In some ways, Thompson seems to be more of a vague hope than a concrete reality," Pohlmann says. "Whether those high hopes will survive the first few weeks of debates and media scrutiny remains to be seen. I'm not sure he's done anything yet to dispel concerns about his political focus and endurance. And running nationwide is more involved than riding a pick-up truck across the state of Tennessee."
Pohlmann can discuss:
"¢ Thompson's record as a Senator, and what his opponents might use against him, and how Thompson might do battle with Guiliani"¢ How Thompson might balance his campaign to appeal to both conservative Republicans and moderate members of both parties"¢ The Democratic challengers, especially Obama and Clinton, and what strategies they might employ vs. Thompson and vice versa. "¢ The Electoral College and the economic impact of globalization on this and future elections."¢ Many dimensions of the emerging Cohen vs. Tinker Congressional race in the 9th CD.
SOURCE: Marcus D. Pohlmann, professor of political science at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn.
Marcus D. Pohlmann, Ph.D., professor of political science at Rhodes College in Memphis, teaches courses on Urban Politics, Black Politics, Constitutional Law and Trial Procedures. He has published extensively in professional journals and is the author of the following books: Racial Politics at the Crossroads; Governing the Postindustrial City; Black Politics in Conservative America; Political Power in the Postindustrial City; Landmark Congressional Laws on Civil Rights; and African American Political Thought (6 volumes). He is currently working on, "Where Have You Gone Horatio Alger? A Convergence of Race and Poverty in the Memphis City Schools," to be published by the University of Tennessee Press.
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