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Speculation on his announcement date has latched onto September 4 as the big day. Some like this date since it's a good kick off to the fall political season. But there is a hitch. There is a debate in New Hampshire on September 5. If Thompson shows up his moment alone in the sun comes to a quick end and the comparisons with more polished debaters start. If he doesn't show, the other candidates are sure to use the "D" word -- "duck" -- to criticize his absence. They will remind the voters and pundits that George W. Bush "ducked" the Dartmouth debate in 1999, setting off buzz that he was hiding from those pesky New Hampshire voters who expect lots of time in the state and lots of answers to their questions. (This was the opening McCain needed to forge ahead and win the New Hampshire primary in 2000.)

Meanwhile, Powerline's John Hinderaker met up with Thompson at the Minnesota state fair and perceives him as a nice, stable conservative but one lacking intensity and proposals to fix what's wrong with the country. Others say he deserves a little time to get his policy act together.