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Low-Key Thompson Stumbles Toward Finish Line
ABC ^ | 1/2/08 | Rick Klein

Posted on 01/02/2008 9:00:41 AM PST by pissant

Two days before the Iowa caucuses — day 15 of his 17-day "hands down" bus tour — former senator Fred Thompson's campaign bus stood motionless in the snowy parking lot of a West Des Moines motel, across from a movie theater and a suburban strip mall.

Thompson's campaign scheduled only one event for New Year's Day, a meet-and-greet at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, about an hour outside Des Moines. Thompson, R-Tenn., shunned the bus, emblazoned with his picture, for the relative comfort of a black Chevrolet Suburban.

(snip)

Thompson has staked his campaign's prospects to Iowa. In seeking to jump-start his campaign last month, he promised to crisscross the Hawkeye State with visits to 50 cities and towns in 17 days aboard his new campaign bus.

(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: abcnews; fred; fredthompson; ia2008; over; projournalism; rickklein
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To: pissant

I like your irrepressible spirit.

I think it’s possible Hunter may beat Thompson in Iowa. I guess we’ll see in a couple of days.

Over at Intrade, the Nomination contracts show McCain surging, overtaking Romney. Thompson has dropped down to 2%, Hunter is still at 0.1, and the volume has dropped to zero.

2008 Republican Presidential Nominee
2008.GOP.NOM.GIULIANI 27.6
2008.GOP.NOM.ROMNEY 22.8
2008.GOP.NOM.MCCAIN 24.5
2008.GOP.NOM.HUCKABEE 9.5
2008.GOP.NOM.PAUL 7.3
2008.GOP.NOM.THOMPSON(F) 2.0
2008.GOP.NOM.HUNTER 0.1

However, in the President.Field contract, where Hunter is embedded (and Ron Paul is NOT), the contract has been gaining volume and is up 100%, within 0.6 of Thompson.

2008.PRES.FIELD
Field (any other candidate) to win 2008 US Presidential Election M 0.3 0.4 0.3 15299 +0.0

2008.PRES.THOMPSON(F)
Fred Thompson to win 2008 US Presidential Election M 0.9 1.0 0.9 34721 -0.1

Rasmussen has started using Intrade results.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1945852/posts

They seem to openly admit that the data for Iowa between Christmas and New Year’s is unreliable: “Rasmussen Reports has not conducted polling in Iowa between Christmas and New Years. We have doubts about the ability to obtain reliable results during that time frame.”

Huckabee has surged because he won a couple of debates and he’s got evangelical support. If a quick rise can happen to the liberal pro-life evangelical Huckster, it can happen to the conservative pro-life evangelical Hunter.

Thompson tops the list of most likely to drop out in January, per Intrade. Judging from momentum, Thompson is the one who won’t be on the ballot in February.

DROPOUT.JAN08.(F)THOMPSON
Fred Thompson to drop out of 2008 Presidential race on/before 31 Jan 2008 M 35.0 98.9 40.0 70 0

The chances of a brokered GOP convention are 15%
REP.NOM.2008.BROKERED
The 2008 Republican Pres. Nominee to be selected at a Brokered Convention M 15.0 20.0 15.0 60 0

Here’s a snapshot of the Iowa Caucus. Huckabee has regained the lead. Thompson has rebounded from yesterday’s fall all the way down to 0.1. Unfortunately, Hunter and Ron Paul are still embedded in the Field, so if you wanted to put your money down on Hunter it would cost $4, whereas it would only cost 80cents for Thompson today. It does show that the Field is coming in 3rd place for Iowa. That’s where I’m hoping that Hunter will actually beat Thompson, as unlikely as that is. But Iowans have surprised us in the past, and that’s usually because they tend to weed out the ones who are not authentic and prop up the ones who are. Hunter is the real deal, so he still has a chance over the next couple of days.

Winner of 2008 Republican Iowa Caucus
REP.IOWA.HUCKABEE 65.0
REP.IOWA.ROMNEY 37.0
REP.IOWA.MCCAIN 2.9
REP.IOWA.THOMPSON(F) 0.8
REP.IOWA.GIULIANI 0.1
REP.IOWA.FIELD 4.0

.

.

.

.

According to Intrade, the winner of the December 12th GOP debate was... Duncan Hunter.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1938773/posts

Why the smart money is on Duncan Hunter
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1926032/posts

In this poll Hunter is up 3% and even with Paul and Thompson.
http://www.wxyz.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=3481ef60-8195-46a9-af04-b87b907bcfdd


81 posted on 01/02/2008 9:43:08 AM PST by Kevmo (We should withdraw from Iraq — via Tehran. And Duncan Hunter is just the man to get that job done.)
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To: Politicalmom

I make an exception for those who do not vote for conservatives normally.


82 posted on 01/02/2008 9:43:13 AM PST by pissant (Duncan Hunter: Warrior, Statesman, Conservative)
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To: Gabz

He is spending on ads. Just not to the tune the MSM thinks he should since he didn’t jump on the campaign train when the MSM said “start”.

The other candidates have already rifled through millions of dollars. Fred is conservative and won’t bet the house convincing people how badly he needs the job.

Only career politicians NEED a job.


83 posted on 01/02/2008 9:43:14 AM PST by o_zarkman44 (No Bull in 08!)
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To: Kevmo

I don’t think Hunter will do well in Iowa, he’s spent minimal effort there. But he might beat him in NH.


84 posted on 01/02/2008 9:44:00 AM PST by pissant (Duncan Hunter: Warrior, Statesman, Conservative)
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To: pissant
assume the faster Fred drops out, the faster his conservative supporters will back the other conservative in the race, like they should have from day one.

You're not going to win over many hearts by crapping all over Thompson every chance you get.

IMHO it's high time for Hunter to throw his support behind Thompson and wish the man the best. Thompson will finish 2nd or a strong 3rd tomorrow while Hunter (unfortunately because I really like him) will not be a factor at all.

85 posted on 01/02/2008 9:44:07 AM PST by pgkdan (Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions - G.K. Chesterton)
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To: pissant; DoughtyOne
If Fred pulls it out, he will be one of the few I’d vote for without having to go to confession the next morning. Right now, he is sucking oxygen from Hunter, so he should drop out.

I like Hunter, always have, but I believe it is the opposite way around and he is the one sucking oxygen from Thompson and so Hunter is the one who should drop out....and then be Thompson's running mate.

86 posted on 01/02/2008 9:44:26 AM PST by Gabz (Don't tell my mom I'm a lobbyist, she thinks I'm a piano player in a whorehouse)
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To: pogo101

It’s about America’s future.


87 posted on 01/02/2008 9:44:34 AM PST by pissant (Duncan Hunter: Warrior, Statesman, Conservative)
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To: Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus
He will be in the game for a while, there are some who will see to it. There is a lot going on in the GOP background right now. Some nervousness among the higher ups about certain factions staying home, a split possibly, some money concerns, things of that nature.
88 posted on 01/02/2008 9:45:33 AM PST by ejonesie22 (In America all people have a right to be wrong, some just exercise it a bit much...)
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To: rightinthemiddle
How does bashing Thompson help Hunter?

I'll wager you won't receive an answer to this obvious question.

89 posted on 01/02/2008 9:45:38 AM PST by skeeter
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To: pgkdan

I don’t want your hearts. I want your support of a rock ribbed Reaganite.


90 posted on 01/02/2008 9:45:46 AM PST by pissant (Duncan Hunter: Warrior, Statesman, Conservative)
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To: DoughtyOne
For the record, we’re talking about somethink like 0.0015% of the potential voters in November 2008, making or breaking someone. What nonsense...

It IS nuts and I'm sick of the influence small non-representative states like IA and NH have on this process.

91 posted on 01/02/2008 9:47:22 AM PST by pgkdan (Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions - G.K. Chesterton)
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To: sourcery; pissant
But you don't post criticisms of Fred's conservatism, positions or policies. You criticize his campaign. Given where Hunter is in the polls, don't you think you should get your own house in order, before critizing others? Or is it just that Hunter's campaing is too pathetic to bother?

You know, pissant routinely comes on and complains about Fred's campaign. Even today, pissant was complaining that Fred is "sucking oxygen from Hunter's campaign". Yeah, the guy who's polling 13-16% in Iowa, and is within 5% of the lead nationally, is sucking oxygen away from the guy whose struggling to maintain a digit on the left-hand side of the decimal. Sure. Maybe Hunter needs to drop out and endorse Fred, instead? As well as does Keyes, who is also doing nothing but splinter the conservative vote. Time to consolidate, folks. But we need to consolidate around a potential winner, not someone nobody outside of San Diego has ever heard of.

92 posted on 01/02/2008 9:47:23 AM PST by Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus (Fred Head and proud of it! Fear the Fred!)
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To: Gabz

As much as I like Hunter, I have to agree. I was amazed that Tancredo could fail to endorse Thompson. His and Hunter’s endorsements would have helped raise Thompson’s visibility.

Over the years I appreciated Tancredo’s attention to the immigration issue. I have complimented him on that, but have failed to support him beyond that.

His drop out and subsequent endorsement make my stance on him rather appropriate.


93 posted on 01/02/2008 9:49:00 AM PST by DoughtyOne (< fence >< sound immigration policies >< /weasles >< /RINOs >< /Reagan wannabees that are liberal >)
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To: skeeter

All I hear is a bunch of people bashing the other guy. It won’t be long, this race will be down to a couple of candidates. We need better choices than just Mitt and Rudy.

As a consistent, mainstream conservative, Fred Thompson is the obvious choice for Republicans to win with a conservative.


94 posted on 01/02/2008 9:49:07 AM PST by rightinthemiddle (Guess what? I'm voting for the Conservative.)
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To: pissant

Another hate Fred thread from FR`s resident jackass.


95 posted on 01/02/2008 9:49:29 AM PST by Reagan Man (FUHGETTABOUTIT Rudy....... Conservatives don't vote for liberals!)
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To: ejonesie22

Oh, I see. Hush hush, secret agent type stuff?


96 posted on 01/02/2008 9:49:31 AM PST by Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus (Fred Head and proud of it! Fear the Fred!)
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To: pissant

When Hunter pass’s Ron Paul in polls get back to us.

Until then Run Fred Run.


97 posted on 01/02/2008 9:50:31 AM PST by Kozak (Anti Shahada: There is no god named Allah, and Muhammed is a false prophet)
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To: pgkdan

So am I. I will say that I don’t pay much attention to this silliness though, so I view it with a skeptical eye and a realization of the manipulations going on.


98 posted on 01/02/2008 9:50:39 AM PST by DoughtyOne (< fence >< sound immigration policies >< /weasles >< /RINOs >< /Reagan wannabees that are liberal >)
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To: Madame Dufarge
disappearingly small segment of people participating in Kabuki theater.

Good discription of the 6% of eligible Ohio voters who participate in this caucus farce.

99 posted on 01/02/2008 9:50:42 AM PST by skeeter
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To: jellybean; Politicalmom; girlangler; KoRn; Shortstop7; Lunatic Fringe; Darnright; babygene; ...
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference

WARNING: If you wish to join, be aware that this ping list is EXTREMELY active.

100 posted on 01/02/2008 9:50:47 AM PST by Politicalmom (Huckabee’s foreign policy experience consists of eating at the International House of Pancakes.)
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