Conservative Republicans Starving for a Thompson Run

Among potential top-tier candidates, that leaves Newt Gingrich (who has more baggage than a bellhop) and Fred Thompson. And even some Thompson admirers have doubts about how energetic a candidate he would be; he was lackadaisical as a senator, and he has disclosed that he has been treated for lymphoma.

Then there's the small matter of what his political views are. In public yesterday, he spoke a grand total of 69 words, the substance of which was that he had come to "see some of my old friends and make some new friends and tell them what was on my mind and listen to see what was on their minds."

Thompson was only slightly more forthcoming in the private meeting. Where is he, for example, on Iraq? "He didn't talk too much about the war," Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.) reported.

"He wants to put forward solutions that he thinks we need," recounted Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.).

And what might those solutions be?

"He didn't get specific," Capito answered.

But specifics can wait. For now, what's important is Thompson's mellifluous voice.

"Not everybody watches his show, but certainly you hear that voice and you know you've heard it," Capito said. "It's almost like James Earl Jones."

And don't forget his distinguished looks.

"The word 'presidential' was used," recounted Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), who offered to raise money for candidate Thompson. "The American people have seen him act in that role."

Actually, Thompson looked old and sallow as he faced the cameras for a few seconds before hopping into a waiting GMC Envoy. But his hour-long meeting was well staged. Five television cameras rolled and a mob of 50 journalists and tourists watched his arrival and departure, crushing tulips and pansies outside the Capitol Hill Club.

Not everybody had the hunger for Thompson, of course. "I already ate," explained Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) as he passed the Thompson gathering for a meeting next door.

But Thompson has appetites, too. And his performance on Capitol Hill yesterday made clear that, whatever his intentions, he wants people to think he is going to run.

"He thinks the man and times are lining up," Wamp reported after the session. "The man who came to see us today is preparing to run for president."