Damn, I wanted to have the first Imus joke.

Not fast enough...

Dissent Protects Democracy.

Tommy, time to head to Isreal and make a speech attacking Iran. Make sure you use the phrase "Nothing is off the table."

Did he hire Michael Ray Richardson as his campaign manager?

Hey Tommy: Buh Bye!

This is typical Thompson. His communication skills made him an ideal choice to be Dubya's HHS Secretary, and granted Wisconsin reprieve from his inexplicable hold on the governor's mansion. The longer he can can stay in the race, the better for the late-night talkshows.

To borrow a phrase from the late, great Ann Richards: "Poor Tommy. He was born with a stainless steel foot in his mouth."

Unlike Thompson, at least Imus admitted what he said was wrong.

Oh golly gee. Maybe he should go take damage control lessons from Mel Gibson.

Is Fred Thompson really a handsome man, or is it that his political persona is intertwined with the roles he's played, his cragginess a symbol of masculine strength? Is Mitt Romney a dream come true ''from Central Casting'', but John Edwards ''too pretty''?

I'm not so naive to think that looks don't matter, let's not make too much of looks alone, or contribute further to their ascendence in popular culture.

Obviously Tommy Thompson had some appeal in ''American Politics'' -- however strange an appeal it was, unless winning statewide in the Democratic-leaning swing state of Wisconsin doesn't count.

Tommy Thompson's lack of appeal as a Presidential candidate has far more to do with factors other than looks.

I thought his proposal, however disengenous, was to poll the Iraqi government, or the Iraqi parliment as to whether our troops should stay.

Presumably if a majority voted ''yes'', he'd commit our troops to stay, regardless of the lack of merit or terrible cost of that decision for Americans or average Iraqis. It's either a cynical ploy to try and have it both ways on a policy that's increasingly divisive and unpopular among GOP voters, or a baffling abdication of judgement from someone who wants to be Commander and Chief.

It's not like there might be members of the Iraqi government who have their own reasons, or factional reasons, for wanting US troops to stick around and do their dirty work. Give me a break.

Thompson's remarks and his incredible explanation reminds me of a scene in The Pianist when an SS officer makes a nearly identical statement and also considers his remarks to be a compliment.

The fact that Thompson was a former Governor and cabinet secretary exposes the Republican party from the top to the bottom.

Tommy Thompson should arrange a debate with Joe Biden.