Last week I trashed Fred Thompson as too lazy to run for President. Now a national Republican consultant whom I greatly respect tells me I dismissed Thompson too quickly.

He says Thompson has what no other major Republican presidential candidate has: a political and cultural affinity with the hard-right conservative, even fundamentalist, base of the party.

In fact, he says, the big three all face big obstacles winning the base:

• Giuliani is (or has been) a pro-abortion, pro-gay rights New Yorker. He’s Catholic. He’s been married three times. And his first wife was his second cousin. (What would Jerry Falwell say?)

• McCain has been making right-wingers mad for years over various issues, from campaign finance reform to global warming to just general contrariness. Now, worst of all, he’s supporting President Bush’s hated immigration bill.

• Romney is the former governor of Massachusetts, a serial flip-flopper and a member of the church that many fundamentalists consider a cult.

Thompson would be the only Southerner in the race. No small factor, given the South’s power in the GOP. He’s also got a tough, strong good ol’ boy persona.

And he’s had a successful life outside of politics. The same noble profession as Ronald Reagan: acting.

So if I’m wrong and he’s not too lazy, I can see how Thompson will be the nominee. And while the 2008 race is the Democrats’ to lose, I can see us losing it to Thompson.

Click Here to discuss and comment on this and other articles.