Thompson's chance to make a difference: Bow out, endorse McCain (read the comments from S.C.)

The State ^ | 05 January 2008 | Brad Warthen

[Jet Jaguar]

Eight years ago, Fred Thompson came for an editorial board visit after we had already endorsed George Bush, to tell us how wrong we were. We should have backed John McCain, he told us. I knew that, of course, but I sat still for his gruff advice as a sort of penance for my failure. I had tried hard (more about that in my Sunday column), but the consensus on our board had gone against me.

As futile as his gesture was at that point, I still appreciated Sen. Thompson's position, as bad as it made me feel. McCain had been the man, and it was the nation's loss that he was not elected in 2000.

Since he knew that then, and Sen. McCain is the same man he was, I've wondered all year why in the world Mr. Thompson even thought of running. As I said back in this column, he forgot to do one thing when he jumped in late: Tell us what it was he brought to the campaign that the candidates already running did not already offer.

Now, it's my turn to return the favor and tell Fred Thompson something that he should already know: It's time for him to do the principled thing again, and assert what he knew to be true back then: He should bow out, and support McCain. And he should do it now; now is when he can make a difference.

Sen. McCain is tied for first place in New Hampshire polls with a damaged Mitt Romney; Mr. Thompson is in single digits. By the time he comes South, all he will be able to do is be a spoiler, to pull just enough voters away from another candidate (and I suspect that candidate would most likely be his longtime ally McCain) to throw the victory to the surging Huckabee.

Nothing against Huckabee on my part; I just don't see him as the alternative Mr. Thompson himself would prefer. Meanwhile, he has continued to express his continuing respect for Sen. McCain; this would be a chance to show he means it.

Speaking of Gov. Huckabee, his victory is his own. But he was not in a position to begin that rise, he was not in striking distance, until Sam Brownback gracefully departed from the race. They had both been drinking from the same well of voters, and Sen. Brownback clarified matters for them.

Quitting when he did was Sen. Brownback's greatest contribution to this campaign, and was the best thing he could have done to serve the values and ideas he espouses. If Sen. Thompson wants to advance his own values, if he wants to make a difference and serve the country -- or if he simply wants the gratification of being a player at all -- he should get behind McCain now.

[seekthetruth]

Fred on TV Today:

WHAT: Fred Thompson Live Interview on NBC’s Today, Weekend Edition
WHEN: 8:15 am EST
WHERE: NBC

WHAT: Fred Thompson Live Interview on Fox News’s America’s Newsroom
WHEN: 9:00 am EST
WHERE: FOX News

WHAT: Fred Thompson Taped Interview on CNN’s Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer
WHEN: Late Edition airs from 11 am - 1 pm EST
WHERE: CNN

WHAT: Fox News Presidential Debate
WHEN: 8-9:30 pm ET
WHERE: Saint Anselm College, Manchester, New Hampshire

[CatQuilt]

2000 was a century ago, metaphorically speaking. That event in September of 2001 woke many of us up. Thompson may have supported McCain eight years ago but things have changed...

[ejonesie22]

Oh Man I love reading all this. Folks are missing several salient points:

1. John McCain will never get the nomination, the party hacks will see to it. The GOP will not take the risk he will implode in the general, if he did the GOP would be dead in the water going into November. The “McCain Problem” has been discussed since 2000. The GOP is stupid, not suicidal...

2. Thompson was brought in to this race for a reason. The “Grassroots” drive got it’s start among some seasoned GOP Money men, mostly in the south. Fred is not out of money, and will not be, even if he plays it tight. Thompson does not do extravagant.

3. Huckabee has pissed off more than a few in the GOP. His pick of that SOB Ed “Get Clinton Reelected” Rollins just deepened that rift. No Limos and Cheese Trays from the GOP for those boys.

4. 400.00 per vote, plus the risk of a two front battle in the General Election, one against the Dems and the other trying to continually reassure several factions of the base, makes the Money Boys very nervous. Love ya Mitt, but you are high maintenance, it is not just about your money, but the GOPs as well...

This thing will be a battle to the finish, and we will have to see if Huck's attraction sticks, since it has been a little bit of a surprise. If it does things will get real interesting.

This will be a fight between Huck, if he sticks, Rudy, Fred and a possible Candidate X at convention, unless a victory or a deal is reached before then.

[SuziQ]

Tell me it isn’t so!!!!

It isn't.

[sourcery]

So who are you offering up as a candidate? None of the current crop seems to match your criteria.

Thomspon is completely acceptable to all major factions. So is Hunter. None of the others can say the same. Between Thompson and Hunter, Thompson would obviously run the more effective campaign—for a variety of reasons.

[SuziQ]

Anyway, look at the poll numbers and other factors in New Hampshire, read up on the situation there, and you might see where I’m coming from. Or not. Either way, thanks for joining in the discussion.
Posted by: Brad Warthen | Jan 5, 2008 8:37:57 PM

I am nystified as to why folks still think that NH has any relevance to the outcome of the Republican nomination. Considering that two of the most recent winners of the primary were John Mc Cain and Pat Buchanan, neither of which ever made it near the nomination, it seems like it really doesn't matter who wins it, except maybe for bragging rights.

If Fred does well, that WILL be great, because he hasn't campaigned a whole lot there, and he knows that, recently anyway, they don't seem to like Southern candidates. His performance in the debate last night might nudge some his way, in spite of his not being supported by the NH GOP leaders. I'd love to see him come in 3rd or so in NH, but I doubt that will happen, not because he doesn't deserve it, but because NH voters can be strange.

[SuziQ]

Geaux de Frets.

*snort* Hey! In LA Cajun country, you ARE likely to see a few "Geaux Fred" signs!

[SuziQ]

Especially after tonight’s debate, he looked spiteful and angry.

I didn't watch the debate; only read the Live Thread, but it seemed like this was a good format for getting to see how these men held up under challenges, and when dealing directly with people. Unlike the stand up, and each answer a question, format, it seemed from reading the responses, that folks were able to get a better look at the men themselves, in addition to hearing their stands on issues. Many posters to that thread commented on McCains sneering and overall nastiness.

[SuziQ]

but prior to the media resurecting their love fest with John in these past two weeks most thought he was dead in the water and not a contender.

Interesting observation. The month prior to that it was Huckabee they were trying to push forward. Looks like they're just trying to muddy the waters for the GOP in this already contentious primary season

[SuziQ]

just to watch Obama break the back of the Black caucus in the Dem party. Buh-bye Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton!

I doubt vey seriesly that would ever happen.

[qman]

They are and it’s to our benefit, clearly we rupublicans are having a hard time coalesing around any one canidate. I’m hoping for a brokered convention, with a canidate that we can all rally around in the end.

My hope is, that canidate is Fred Thompson!!!

[SuziQ]

There is one thing I wish he would do though, on the Immigration issue, he should be emphasizing every time this issue comes up in the clearest and simplest terms possible that his plan’s emphasis is on self-deportation. Make it impossible for illegal aliens to work and they will self deport.

He has said that from the beginning! And every time I've heard him talk about the issue at rallies, he pushes that notion. He knows that having many self-deport will make it easier to deal with the ones who are left.

[Turret Gunner A20]

When is the Ga primary?

February 5, 2008

[trisham]

Highly unlikely that all Fred supporters would go to McCain, even if Fred endorsed him. McCain’s history on illegals and the WoT have sunk him with a great deal of conservatives. I for one will never cast a vote for McCain. His childish antics tonight, as well as his less than truthful rhetoric on illegal immigration, only served to sink him even lower.

****************

Agreed. I don't know if I could vote for him if by some unlikely chance he were to become the nominee.

[SC Swamp Fox]

I find myself hoping that Ron Paul stays in the race and out kooks McCain to fragmentize that Democrat crossover vote.

In 2000 Gore was the heir to the dem nomination, he had no real competition. There was a heated race for the GOP nomination so there was a huge crossover vote for McCain. That will not happen in 2008 with the close Obama/Clinton/Edwards race occurring over on the other side. There will be very little crossover voting and the independent vote will be more evenly split between the parties.

[SC Swamp Fox]

Here in Florence I've seen several "Ron Paul" yard signs and a fair number of "Obama" bumper stickers.

I did see one "Hillary" sticker. It was on a late model econo-box and was joined by a bunch of other liberal / socialist / enviro-nut / BDS stickers.

[TLI]

If Sen. Thompson wants to advance his own values, if he wants to make a difference and serve the country -- or if he simply wants the gratification of being a player at all -- he should get behind McCain now.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Whew... that's a good one Brad! Lets see Fred beat Juan in Iowa, Fred beat Juan in Wyoming yesterday and I just watched Fred live on CNN for TWENTY minutes explaining his platform on the economy, energy, illegal aliens, anchor babies, real immigration, health care, Pakistan, etc. He is hitting home runs with every answer. Everything he advises is simple, straightforward and is just good common sense. In the meantime...

Looks like Brad has an agenda, not an article. Juan (Mr. Amnesty) McCain is being exposed and Juan does not like Americans with a memory.

I really wonder what Juan's thought process is when he lies by saying "I never supported Amnesty." Looks like he did to me...

[SC Swamp Fox]

Good thread. You should send a link to Brad, they're probably wondering where all the hits are coming from.

[SuziQ]

That’s a vey good idea!

[citizen]

If Fred has been honest and truthful in what he has been saying, he can’t endorse McCain. No way. If he does endorse McCain Fred has been lying to the public on his views.

I do not think Fred would ever endorse McCain.