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It looks like Justin Timberlake didn't have any competition from the latest addition to the Republican presidential field after all. Regardless of all the hype, Fred Thompson did not bring sexy back to Iowa or New Hampshire. A lot is being made around greater Blogistan of this report from the NYTimes earlier in the week describing a soporific-sounding meet-and-greet session in Iowa.

Twenty-four minutes after he began speaking in a small restaurant the other day, Fred D. Thompson brought his remarks to a close with a nod of his head and an expression of thanks to Iowans for allowing him to "give my thoughts about some things."

Then he stood face to face with a silent audience.

"Can I have a round of applause?" Mr. Thompson said, drawing a rustle of clapping and some laughter.

"Well, I had to drag that out of you," he said.

. . .
As Mr. Thompson campaigned across Iowa this week, he was something other than the dynamic presence that some in his party have been yearning for. Iowans saw a candidate who is subdued and sonorous, a laconic presence who spoke in soft monotone, threw few elbows and displayed little drive to distinguish himself from his opponents.

Mr. Thompson told few jokes and, while an easygoing presence, did not appear to have much interest in the small talk that is a staple of retail campaigning. As he defined his candidacy, Mr. Thompson spoke in broad generalities about the conservative principles that he said had informed his political views — in particular, federalism and cutting government spending — and led him to run for president.

In the process, he often lulled audiences into the kind of stillness that engulfed the room when he finished talking at the "Lunch with Fred Thompson" in Marshalltown.

The Times also offers a "Can I Have a Round of Applause" slide show--Christy Hardin Smith at firedoglake suggests we pay special attention to the body language between Thompson and his wife in this one.

One criticism often leveled against the former faux district attorney of New York is that he just doesn't have the desire and drive to become president. He's never been a favorite actor of mine, but I suppose that he gets the job done. If you want to see him in some unscripted action, he and his wife Jeri sat down with Sean Hannity for an interview of such low energy that Hannity seemed quite subdued, as well. It aired on Wednesday night, and it's up in three parts on YouTube (part one, part two, and part three), but his explanation of why he's running for president (at about 5:30 in part one) is not to be missed. It basically boils down to his wife encouraged him to, so why not, he might as well.

I'm wondering if he's even in for the long haul. I suppose he could hang on the three months until the Iowa caucuses, but he won't last much longer than that. The truly unfortunate thing for Thompson, though, is that by then the new season of Law & Order will have started, and the gig will go on without him. Sorry Fred.