Waking up Thompson

That will wake up Fred Thompson — a Washington Post editorial headlined “Two Cheers for Mr. Thompson.” Yes, that is the Post I am talking about and not the Washington Times. Thompson is getting cheers for proposing reforms to the Social Security system that editors there say aren’t as progressive as they would like but they say he deserves applause for making tough choices the other candidates so far refuse to.

Thompson wants to cut benefits, combine private accounts with federal matching funds, and link benefits to the cost-of-living increase rather than wage growth. In my column this week about Big Fred I gave him credit for his policy proposals, and note that despite his seeming indifference over this whole running-for-highest-office exercise, he is no lightweight. It’s hard to figure what Fred is doing in the race and why but it sure is interesting to watch him.

***

What do you think Fred wants? Please join me for my weekly Q&A video posts by sending useful, interesting and entertaining questions to askab@digital-stage.thehill.com.