Former Senator Fred Thompson--who many conservatives wish run for President--has announced that he has cancer. Today on RedState.com, he posted the entry "What You Need To Know: Facts About My Cancer" to get the facts out there and avoid any misconceptions.
"I have friends in politics, some in Congress, some running for President, and others who have successfully dealt with cancer. It is certainly no respecter of persons and totally non-partisan. That point was driven home to me about 2 1/2 years ago when, shortly after a routine physical, I was diagnosed with what the doctors call an indolent lymphoma. Of the 30-plus kinds of lymphoma this is a "good" kind, if there is such a thing."
"I have had no illness from it, or even any symptoms. My life expectancy should not be affected. I am in remission, and it is very treatable with drugs if treatment is needed in the future--and with no debilitating side effects."
The blog, which also includes a statement from Thompson's doctor, is worth reading.
That said, and as much as I like Fred Thompson, I have about as much chance at being elected President in 2008 as he does.
Don't get me wrong: Thompson is the kind of conservative that other conservatives love and, that is to say, he actually IS a conservative. Outside of "Law and Order" or "The Hunt for Red October" or other acting jobs he's had, not too many people in fly-over country know who he is. He's not the kind of candidate that anyone other than real conservatives get excited about. Sure, the primaries are about energizing your base, but the rest of the campaign is about energizing the undecideds and the independents.
Clearly, Thompson is going to decide soon whether or not he's going to run. That's the only reason something like this gets released now. This is the equivalent of sticking your finger up in the air to see which way the wind is blowing. He's doing the right thing by getting this out there to the people who are most likely to support him and help drive his potential candidacy--the blogs.
Regardless of his decision, I wish Fred Thompson nothing but best wishes for continued good health.
William Smith
ConservativeBlogger.com
