Before I get into this, I want to establish a couple of qualifiers. First, I like Fred Thompson. He seems to be a personable, likable guy. He doesn't seem to take himself too seriously, and he gives the impression of being very confident in himself and his abilities.

I support Mitt Romney. Yes, those of you who have run across my comments on other posts can verify that I am LDS, but that's not why I am supporting Mitt Romney. I know about Mitt's talents because he came to Utah to help bail out the Olympic Games. And he did so spectacularly. After the Games, he ran for office in Massachusetts where he became governor. During his term in office he turned a huge State deficit into a surplus without raising taxes. Yet despite his conservative record and numerous accomplishments, many conservatives, especially evangelical Christians, refuse to consider him a viable candidate for President.

Perhaps they would consider Newt Gingrich. He plays well to that demographic. He has spent a lot of time and energy promoting some really innovative ideas for the future of America. But he hasn't even said he will run yet. The only commitment he has made will be that he will look at it after the first of next year. And the charges of infidelity have left a mark on his name that has not yet faded.

Rudy Giuliani has a strong position on national security, very attractive in a candidate at this point in history. But he has very liberal ideas concerning gays and marriage that don't square with conservative Christian values. Being strong on national security isn't enough for today's voters. A candidate has to have a good mix of the right foreign and domestic policy ideas. His several divorces are also distasteful to many on the Right.

John McCain has alienated much of the Right. In fact, many commentators are calling his campaign finished already. His positions on campaign finance reform and the recently debated immigration reform bill have left a bitter taste in the mouths of conservative Christians. His gruff demeanor did not help to diffuse the anger felt towards his policies.

Fred Thompson hasn't even officially announced his candidacy yet. He has made no formal announcements, has put forward no specific plans or ideas, and hasn't really said what the theme of his campaign will be. He is only exploring the possibility. But as soon as word hit the 'net, he became the instant favorite among the conservative Christian demographic. I think I know why.

Mitt Romney would fit all their requirements for candidate if only he were not a Mormon. The attempts to label Romney a flip-flopper would get no traction among Christians if he were not a Mormon. They cannot trust that his now 13 year old change of heart is serious, because such things are usually driven by one's religion and because they dislike the religion, they will not trust the man. Ronald Reagan had a similar change of heart, but he was trusted because his religion was acceptable. Romney also has some really good ideas, but they are drowned out in the cacophonic protests over his religion.

Fred Thompson fits the southern, conservative, evangelical Christian stereotype. He looks like them, talks like a lot of them, and believes like them. He fits in. What it all boils down to is that Fred Thompson gives Christians a reason to not support Mitt Romney--he gives them a way out.