“Fred Thompson’s answers will cost him some votes in the South. Maybe he won’t win quite as many delegates in the southern states as we had believed, but he may also pull some votes from people who were planning to support Rudy Giuliani. I’d be thrilled to think that our choice will come down to Mitt versus Fred instead of one of them versus Rudy”
It will be interesting to see if what you predict is true. I think he position on this hot button issue will cost him many votes of pro-lifers that will go to Huckabee or Hunter. Whereas, I don’t see it moving anyone who is a Guiliani supporter into Fred’s circle. Guiliani’s base, I believe, are the real old guard Rockafeller (sp?) repubs, of which Fred isn’t really a type that would appeal to them. I believe his position will cause him to continue to lose ground...which is a real shame. He could be a good president...he just sucks as a candidate.
I think some of Giuliani's supporters in places like Florida, California, and much of the west are fiscal conservatives who are much less enthusiastic about the party's more zealous pro-lifers. If Fred Thompson offers to be an abortion moderate who won't take their guns, they might vote for him over Rudy Giuliani. Again, there's no telling what people will do, but that's one speculation.
Bill