Even Fred Doubts He Will Be President......

Trying to encourage his studio to hurry up so an interview could start, Carl Cameron of Fox News said into his microphone: "The next president of the United States has a schedule to keep." Standing beside him, a deadpan Mr Thompson interjected: "And so do I."

He was lampooned mercilessly after a YouTube clip showing him asking an audience Iowa underwhelmed by his stump speech: "First of all, could I have a round of applause?" Or maybe it is just Fred's style of deadpan, self-depreciating humor. That is funny sometimes and sometimes just awkward.

Either way, should presidential candidates look and act presidential? The UK Telegraph has the story. Money quotes: "The American people like folks that have a positive, hopeful message," said one prominent Republican.
Fergus Cullen, New Hampshire's state Republican chairman, said Mr Thompson had made a big mistake in September when he opted to declare his candidacy on the "Jay Leno" talk show rather than attend a New Hampshire debate.

Mr Thompson is running at about 17 per cent in the national Republican polls, second behind Mr Giuliani.

But he is languishing in fifth place in New Hampshire and fourth in Iowa.