Out here in Tucson, Arizona, this week for work-related reasons. Headed back tomorrow. It's been a good trip.

Had a chance to catch a replay of the Republican debates yesterday. Fred Thompson looked outstanding, especially for a first debate. Little nervous at first, and his answer on the strong dollar question was weak, but overall he showed some real signs of being a no-nonsense, very confident, independent-thinking candidate...which, of course, immediately sets him apart.

He has worldly experience, and he's certainly got a presence and plenty of charisma. Doesn't seem like many people want to admit, yet, how great of a chance he has to get tremendous popular support. If he gets the Republican nomination, I can't see myself voting for anyone else.

Mitt Romney, on the other hand, really blundered. Asking attorneys before invading Iran?? Sorry, but that's a great thing to say if you are interested in not ever being taken seriously again. The guy just seems a little too polished, too robotic, too corporate of a candidate to really embrace.

Rudy Giuliani? Not interested. The personal issues are a huge turnoff, obviously. But maybe if it weren't for the presence of Fred Thompson, and just the freshness of him as a candidate, maybe he might be easier to consider. But just seems like a cliched career politician, and no, I dont really view all that experience as a positive for the Oval Office right now.

Only other candidate worth mentioning is Ron Paul, who quite appropriately showed complete disgust at Romney's attorney/Iran comment and was generally quite intelligent and well-spoken throughout the debate. I'll have to keep an eye on this guy but he sure has a Ralph Nader "I'm just sort of here to prove a point, and not really compete" sort of look to him. Maybe too intellectual to be voted in, as sad as that might be.

Yep, Fred's the man, and if he doesn't get the nod as the Republican candidate, it's wide open from there. W has pretty much destroyed any goodwill I had toward the Republican party and it's time for anyone, regardless of party, who can begin to restore some of the damage that's been done in terms of foreign policy as well as on critical domestic issues, such as immigration, Social Security, health care, education, and tax cuts.

I guess I need someone to come along that will make me actually care about politics again.