Thompson: Poor finish in Iowa won't end campaign (not dropping out - rumor from rival campaign)

IowaPoitics.com ^ | 1/2/08

[ellery]

GOP presidential hopeful Fred Thompson said in an in-studio interview with KCCI-TV in Des Moines that there is no truth to rumors that his campaign will fold before New Hampshire if he doesn't have a strong showing in Iowa.

"That is absolutely made up out of whole cloth," said the former U.S. Senator from Tennessee.

Thompson said a rival campaign was likely the source of that rumor.

"Can you imagine such a thing in politics?" he asked.

Thompson said his campaign is seeing a "surge" in interest right now, and said he has visited 50 communities in the Hawkeye State in the last couple weeks.

"I'm not going to play into any scenario that's not totally optimistic," he said.

Thompson touched on his plan for strengthening border security to prevent terrorist attacks, and his plan to simplify the tax code.

"Our tax code is a mess right now," he said.

[Mensius]

Looked like a forest fire starting. You must be a smoke jumper. Nice job.

[Prokopton]

I thought that it smelled like dirty politics. They are afraid of Fred, he is gaining.

Kind of has the stench of Rollins about it.

[PhilDragoo]

I saw this interview. Fred was sitting with the gal and guy anchors at their desk. Yes, Fred said this was made up out of whole cloth, that he said nothing remotely like this to anyone publicly or privately.

"Just imagine this happening in politics," he added dryly.

He went on to defend his "mushroom cloud rising over a U.S. city" comment with the 911 Commission's statement terrorists are trying to get ahold of the most dangerous weapons to accomplish the deadliest attack.

Nobody said, "My, you've lost weight," or "why are you in that racist polygamist cult".

The same newscast went live to Obama, Edwards, Hillary and Romney.

When Hillary said Iowans had welcomed her "into your hearts" thunder rolled and dogs bayed at the moon.

[cquiggy]

How about if we lock all candidates from both sides in a room and whoever makes it out is the President. Huckabee can even bring Chuck Bore us with him. Lets make it a pay per view event and when Fred comes out he can apply the proceeds to enlarging our military. Oops I mean whoever comes out.

[Rome2000]

More dirty tricks from Arkansas.

[maine-iac7]

He IS getting desparate - and obviously making some totally destructive moves lately

[Prokopton]

I thought that it smelled like dirty politics. They are afraid of Fred, he is gaining.

Kind of has the stench of Rollins about it.

[Neu Pragmatist]

I bet it did . I have heard there are phone calls going out on this as well .

There are only two campaigns that can afford to do this , Romney and Rudy . Rudy is not even playing with Iowa . That leaves Romney .

I don’t think it’s the Huckster .

[Tennessee Nana]

PING

[Praxeologue]

Dirty tricks ping

Romney & Huckabee are better at this than the Democrats: he would make the best President, so kill his candidacy.

[Neu Pragmatist]

I think it’s coming from Romney .

[ImpBill]

Fred has intentionally played a very personal but low expense operation in Iowa. NH really doesn't count for much any longer. Fred is saving his big guns for the red states.

He will weather through Super Tuesday and will get the nod in a brokered convention or pre-convention brokering.

Of course I am being totally optimistic here. Why else wouldn't I be as ardent, and oft money donating supporter?

Fred has more grass roots folks sending in the $25 to $250 donations than anyone in the race! Anyone!!!!!

[Neu Pragmatist]

I smell Mittbot ....

[Nebraska6804]

I KNEW Fred was good for it. Everything is gonna be OK. The liberal media has been DYING for another kind of contest. It’s gonna be fun to see the media’s heads explode when FRED, the GENUINE article surges ahead. How will they explain it?

[ImpBill]

Hey come on now. There isn't a much better red, white, and blue American than Chuck Norris. He is entitled to his choice as we all are.

This bashing of our fellow, mostly like minded conservatives and fellow Americans has got to stop.

Celebrity endorsements don't nearly mean as much as they used to, or folks would like to believe they do.

The great thing about Fred is that he is his own celebrity endorsement. LOL

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

The numbers aren't adding up for Fred Thompson guys. I know he's the man on this Forum but there's reality too.

McCain is surging and he's digging into both Fred and Romney's support. The Huckster has the religious right votes locked up.

All of the rest of the Republicans are fighting over 3rd place besides Romney and Huckster are fighting for 3rd place. There's only room for one person, and it sure in the Hell ain't going to be Fred, who has to fight McCain, Giuliani, and Hunter for the national security wing portion of the already diminished GOP base.

Cue Law and Order narrator and theme song

"In the presidential election primaries, there are those who campaign, and there are those who declare late and don't meet expectations. This is the story of the latter. Da-DA!"

[maine-iac7]

Super neat! And isn't such a personal photo unusual for Leno?

Could it be he's a 'Closet Fred '08?

This photo looks like an endorsement hiding in plain sight...

...and we need to see more of "Mrs. Fred" - she's a lovely, educated and accomplished lady - who has her priorities on straight.

[Neu Pragmatist]

Or Mass ...

[Rick_Michael]

” Fred has more grass roots folks sending in the $25 to $250 donations than anyone in the race! Anyone!!!!!”

Really? More than Obama....I haven’t been paying attention to that.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

Yes, the fetid stench of the Romney Sleaze Machine is unmistakable.