Every election sees the same unimaginative schtick by the media--Republicans and/or Democrats are dissatisfied with the current field and are looking for a real conservative-slash-liberal to fire up the party.

Fred Thompson is the second coming of Reagan, which is amusing since Reagan also faced ambivalence about his own candidacy.

"He's no Eisenhower..."

Its a poor foundation for a political candidacy since every non-Reaganesque thing you do undermines your reason for being there.

'It was not Reaganesque.'' ''No red meat.'' ''Too low key.'' That was the preponderant reaction I heard to Thompson's half-hour presentation (leavened by a few favorable comments, mostly by women, that he was more ''statesmanlike'' and ''presidential'' than the announced candidates). Lincoln Club members, like many conservative Republicans, had been unimpressed by the existing field of Republican hopefuls and envisioned Thompson as the second coming of Ronald Reagan. They did not get it Friday night.

The excitement aroused in melancholy Republican ranks by the politician-commentator-actor will not be doused by one lackluster performance. Nevertheless, his first speech since his unexpected presidential boom began suggests Thompson needs preparation if he does take up this daunting burden. The deeper concern by some supporters is whether the tepid reaction in Orange County will shake what had seemed his clear resolve to make the race.

Expectations were exaggerated as well-dressed Republicans gathered at the posh Balboa Bay Club on Friday night. Dissatisfaction with the current presidential field was intensified by the chaotic nationally televised debate of 10 Republican candidates the previous night. Rudy Giuliani seemed uncomfortable dealing with standard conservative issues. John McCain sounded harsh and hawkish. Mitt Romney's newfound conservatism still seems contrived to many in the Republican base. ''Everybody is still looking for the conservative candidate,'' Orange County Republican Chairman Scott Baugh told me.

Poor Fred. He shows up as himself and people are underwhelmed.

See for yourself