In the first of two columns on Fred Thompson's campaign, Jay Cost argues that Thompson is breaking the media's rules - and winning support because of it. Here's Cost:
People outside the Beltway, whose daily lives are not regimented by the news cycle, appreciate that the perpetual campaign has reached a point of asininity. Accordingly, a candidate could win supporters over in the real campaign by claiming that he ignored all of these rules, which essentially mandate twenty-two months of nonstop campaigning. This is a twist on running against Washington. It is running against the Washington press corps. A Republican candidate can do this all the more. After all, the perpetual campaign is mediated by the press, which conservatives loathe. Instead of saying that he broke the media's rules, a candidate instead can say that he broke the Drive By Media's rules. That is a great way to win conservatives over: run against the Drive By's.
I also would note that another Republican presidential candidate often receives heavy applause when he mentions the "liberal media." Thompson's breaking of the media's rules, Cost argues, is an example of "Good Fred." Cost writes that he will discuss "Bad Fred" next week. The labels refer to the Dr. Jekyl, Mr. Hyde performance of former Chicago Bears starting quarterback Rex Grossman. When Rex was good, he was called "Good Rex." When Rex was bad - which was pretty often - he was called "Bad Rex." Thompson may not appreciate Cost's analogy, however. In the end, Grossman lost his job.