Fred Thompson quoted Burke

18th century Irish political philosopher Edmund Burke: “Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays instead of serving you if he sacrifices it to your opinion.”

That's what Fred said when a constituent complained about a vote on a controversial issue in which his vote was contrary to popular opinion.

A consummate actor, Fred knows how to deliver his lines. Nonetheless, the "powers that be (PTB)" supporting Fred are getting some political room in which to work. In this case it may be only to offset the mix of the group. However, each candidate has an agenda, much like a television script, from which to read...delicately prioritized, guided and constructed by a PTB or two. The question becomes, not that an action would be dictated by a PTB or whether their candidate is truly expressing the desired opinion of a PTB that you've become comfortable with (under the guise of whatever candidate you select). The question is, when a matter is significant requiring action which opposes the view of the populace as well as the PTB, will the candidate have the judgement and conviction to do what is best.

If the image portrayed by a PTB is pleasing to your opinions...

is it because you know and agree with them
OR
is it because the PTB knows the right buttons to push and you have not questioned the implications or details?
IF the same viewpoints expressed by the PTB's candidate, were expressed by say a Don Knotts, would you find it equally pleasing?

Maybe we should change our electoral college system, to be selected well before campaigns begin with the agreement enforced that they would not VIEW any candidate in any medium during the process but would thoroughly study,read and listen to the candidates...and strongly consider public opinion as fickle, ignorant, apathetic and easily manipulated.

Hmmmm. As I study the candidates' views on major issues I wonder just what qualifications and experience the candidates truly have to resolve issues that have yet to arrive...even the priorities of PTB's change. The more I study the more I am amazed to discover I seem to agree most with a candidate who also has the best credentials, from another party...who is ugly and hasn't a chance. Based on my current assessment...he would make the best president. And since I have revealed exclusion of one candidate simply because I said HE. So in fairness I will exclude Fred Thompson as well.

But I could be wrong.