Speaking of Things Unelectable

Fred Thompson was a nice distraction, while he lasted.

He checked the box for: "Abortions should be legal in all circumstances as long as the procedure is completed within the first trimester of the pregnancy." He did, however, support a number of restrictions on abortion: requiring parental notification, allowing states to impose waiting periods, and eliminating all federal funding of abortion. Lastly, he said Congress should leave legislation on abortion to the states.

In fairness to Fred, he's not yet announced that he is running, which proves, if nothing else, that he's somewhat savvy politically speaking. I fully expect Fred to continue to postpone his announcement until he eventually drops the notion all together. Fred was never considered a serious candidate; he was a merely a distraction from Rudy McRomney, for whom the base holds so little esteem. Fred filled the conservative void, but only for a time. The vacuum has emerged again, and it must again be filled.

I lack the political savior faire to suggest a candidate, but he will emerge within the next several weeks. Having flouted unpopular pro-choicers, pardon the redundancy, I would be very surprised if the party can't find even one pro-life candidate. Remember, it's not important that the candidate do anything about abortion, even assuming he wins; it is, however, necessary that he is against abortion and that the pro-life base knows this and trusts him.

UPDATE: How about Tommy Thompson? Just a thought.