Very thoughtful post.

I was disappointed by Thompson’s candidacy in 2008. He took on an entirely different persona as a candidate, rather than a non-candidate doing an interview. As a non-candidate he seemed down-to-earth, approachable, and passionate. As a candidate, he sounded like just another politician, and he looked tired. As you said, he’ll be 70 in 2012 (and frankly, he’ll look far older than that).

Passion is something Republicans sorely need right now, and Palin and Jindal have it in spades.

Palin certainly had her bad moments during the election season, and she may have been exposed as somewhat green on the biggest of national stages, but that does not mitigate her political instincts or leadership abilities. The moment of hers that really spoke to me was at the VP debate when she addressed the economic crisis and had the boldness to speak of personal responsibility. She put it in the context of education, as when parents give children their first credit card before heading off to college. That was a daring statement. During the current crisis, most people are looking for someone else to blame, they don’t want to hear that some of the problem may have been of their own making. But Sarah was right, and personal responsibility is a rallying call for most conservatives.

My only problem with Palin, and this is no fault of hers, is that the media may have effectively compromised her. Even if she becomes a foreign policy expert over the next 2.5 years, the moment she would declare her intention to run for President, the MSM will be breaking out tapes of the Couric interview, and the Gibson, “I can see Russia from my house” comment. Tina Fey may even break her Palin act out of mothballs. I absolutely believe we CANNOT allow the media to engage in character assassination of our most promising candidates, otherwise they will do it time and time again. However, at the end of the day, elections are about winning.

Sarah’s best place may be in the national office of the RNC where she can go and campaign for candidates. The lady rallies the base. Just ask Saxby Chambliss. As he said, people “just explode” when she walks in the room.

I’m still learning about Jindal, but what I know impresses me. Speaking of personal responsibility, he took the bull by the horns when Hurricane Ike threatened Louisiana. He didn’t complain about lack of federal help. The buck stopped with him. He is well educated, so the MSM won’t be able to paint him as an ignorant rube.

I suspect, however, that his age and experience will work against him in 2012. As we all know, experience matters….. if you’re a Republican. For a man so young he already does have great experience. Two House of Rep terms and elected governor. By 2012 he’ll be 41 and will likely be in his second term as governor. But I have a feeling that won’t be enough for MSM. Depending on outcome of 2012, he may be better off waiting until 2016 or 2020 (he’ll still be just 49 by 2020).

In the long run, it’s far too early to start talking about Presidential prospects. A number of the current favorites will go by the wayside, and a crop of current unknowns will arise. But under any circumstance, we need to harness the energy of the bright young stars like Palin and Jindal.