If Fred Thompson decides to run, expect to see this quote a few times

Duncan Hunter is still my candidate for President of the United States; he has the record, the character, and the concern about Communist China that is vital for the next American president to have. That said, a trip down memory lane made me feel a lot better about the possible candidacy of Fred Thompson.

I was rummaging through Congressional Record transcripts to find the debates on Permanent Normal Trade Relations for Communist China in 2000. The leading opponent in the Senate was Jesse Helms, who not only spoke against it, but also threw amendment after amendment at the enabling legislation in the hope of throwing it in a conference committee, forcing election season votes, and leaving open the possibility of a future train wreck. The amendments were rejected one by one. As the debate drew to a close, Helms, defeated but undaunted, concluded with some praise for those who worked with him on the amendments (Congressional Record, CAPS in original, emphasis added):

I shall always be grateful to Senators who endeavored to ensure a serious debate, and for their courage and resolve. I express my admiration to, among others, Senator BYRD and Senator THOMPSON, Senators BOB SMITH, JOHN KYL, PAUL WELLSTONE. These Senators were Churchillian in their efforts.

For many conservatives who remember him, there was no better defender of America in the world than Jesse Helms. Particularly on Communist China, he had almost no equal. For Fred Thompson to get this blessing from Helms will be a tremendous boon to his candidacy.

Now, Thompson, for all of his efforts to amend PNTR, he did vote for it, which Hunter did not. So the former Senator will not have my support so long as Hunter is in the race. However, even I have to admit he is head and shoulders above the current troika of Giuliani, McCain and Romney.