Missouri's Fred Thompson

The first rule in politics is "don't create high expectations then under deliver."  Just ask Fred Thompson, who entered the GOP presidential race to big buzz then underwhelmed.

Apparently, Kenny Hulshof and his allies have never heard of that rule.

Hulshof's entry into the GOP gubernatorial primary was trumpeted by newly unemployed Blunt staffers as the singular event that would save their party from... itself.

On the eve of his announcement, Hulshof's staff declared that he would make an announcement that would "forever change the landscape of Missouri politics."

Sounded big, really big.

But then he phoned in his announcement from Washington, DC.

And gave rambling answers to reporters' questions at his kick-off rally conference call.

Reporters were apparently unimpressed.

And Missouri got its very own Fred Thompson.­