Thompson's "Hook"

Jay Cost has a smart post on today's GOP debate that you can read here. Writes Cost:

Presidential campaigns have a bit in common with pop songs. Pop songs have hooks that try to attract listeners to tap their feet, sing along, and buy the single. Presidential campaigns have hooks, too. It is the basic pitch that will either attract or not attract the voters to vote for the candidate. Giuliani's hook is bringing his leadership of New York City to Washington. Romney's is bringing his business mindset and his ability to appeal to Democrats to Washington. McCain's is the demonstration in the last few years that his brand of "maverick Republicanism" has been the correct course of action. And so on. Thompson's hook is different from those of the other three frontrunners. Thompson may be sufficiently qualified to be president - but he is not running on his qualifications. He's running on his principles and his personality. That is his hook. And it could very well play in the GOP primary. Conservative Republicans think that the GOP has fallen from favor because it has failed to govern conservatively. So, they are looking for a true conservative because they believe that, when the public hears conservative ideas in a clear and forthright manner, Republicans win. Thompson entered the race because he is the 'only true conservative' frontrunner and because - so it is thought - he could communicate these principles clearly and convincingly to the public. Thompson's hook is thus that he believes and he can make others believe, too."

Good point! Question is, how will Thompson have the ability to make his pitch convincingly while he is competing for time with all the other GOP candidates?