Thompson Rises to Third in SC Poll

Boston.com ^ | 17 January, 2008 | Foon Rhee

[Roy Tucker]

Fred Thompson, making what could be his last stand in South Carolina, has inched up to third in the latest tracking poll leading up to Saturday's first-in-the-South primary. Thompson has 14 percent in the Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released this morning, sliding ahead of Mitt Romney, who slipped to 12 percent, even though some of the polling was done after he won the Michigan primary on Tuesday. Romney is chasing delegates in Nevada, whose caucuses are also Saturday, after saying he believes John McCain has South Carolina locked up. McCain held his lead in the new poll, with 29 percent, compared to 22 percent for Mike Huckabee. Ron Paul and Rudy Giuliani were tied at 5 percent, according to the poll. A Clemson University poll also gave McCain a 29 percent-22 percent edge over Huckabee, who won the leadoff caucuses in Iowa but hasn't finished better than third since. Thompson, the former US senator from Tennessee, plans to air a 60-second ad during today's evening news across South Carolina in which he talks up his conservative credentials in a folksy way designed to appeal to Southern voters. "I've been a conservative all my life," he says, then citing his "100 percent pro-life" record and asserting that Americans' fundamental rights come "from God, not government." McCain, meanwhile, picked up the endorsement today of the Charleston Post and Courier, which also endorsed him in 2000, when he lost to now-President Bush. The newspaper's editorial board said McCain's record in the eight years since only reinforced its belief that the Arizona senator is the best suited for the presidency.

[skinkinthegrass]

...not giving-up.

[Bosco]

If Fred doesn't pass Romney he's in trouble. Romney is done with S.C.

[Cicero]

All this talk about “last stands” is Boston Glob propaganda and wishful thinking. Even in an article about his rise in the standings, they had to work it into the first sentence.

He is the only conservative in the race who has any chance at all of winning. As such, he will continue to gather delegates while the other candidates fight it out. There is no clear winner, and the three liberal leaders are all vulnerable.

It’s just too bad that the National Review and some of the other conservative gurus jumped on the wrong bandwagons, since the MSM certainly isn’t going to help Fred get his message out.

[Tarpon]

Money keeps Fred going. They said in a Fred fund-raising letter that Fred was in all the way to super duper Tuesday ...

[RachelFaith]

No!

The Reagan era is NOT over... there just ISN’T anyone running who is even CLOSE to Reagan... wild delusions and wishful thinking not withstanding.

[gpapa]

Bret’s record when its below freezing is pretty good. Forecast for Sunday in GB is a high of 5 degrees, winds 10-15 mph. Getting close to ice bowl conditions.

[Tall_Texan]

There’s no reason to drop out before Super Tuesday but if Fred can’t come within five points of a win in South Carolina, I think the Fat Lady is warming up.

[vaudine]

Where have the editors on this paper been for the last 7 years? McCain has done enough liberal bad to disqualify 6 men. The man is a walking inflated ego with a love of all things liberal. The only thing I question about Fred is his perceived friendship with Johnny.

vaudine

[Romneyfor President2008]

Sorry, but you posted an older poll.

Zogby’s newest poll and your older poll is listed here on their website:

http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1428

Romney’s back in 3rd. :-)

But don’t worry, Zogby had McCain leading Romney the night before the MI primary. LOL

[StarFan]

Now that’s strange as the poll conducted by Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby on the 17th (date of article) shows Romney leading Fred by 2 points.

[Tall_Texan]

Another reason I can’t wait for these newspapers to fold.

Actually, I find newspapers very helpful as they almost always tell me who I should NOT vote for.

[rintense]

Where are all the ‘we’ll return the favor for Fred’ Romney people now?

[squidly]

Certainly Fred lacks the Gipper’s charisma, but policy wise they are pretty much the same thing.

[coalman]

I think he will do O.K. and I think he should stay as long as he can. The brokered convention would work in his favor.

[nmh]

I fear it’s too late for Thompson. Had he had more PASSION and ENERGY when he first started to run, I believe the eventual outcome would not be third. People are wondering, how he can win at this late date when he REFUSES to change how he comes across. He’s got the BEST STANCE ON ALL POSITIONS, but there’s no energy there. I am still shocked to see he’s a terrible public speaker.

[skinkinthegrass]

...and besides, its a liberal mindset/paper/state....owned/operated by $hrillarys' shills.

this isn't journalism.

[rintense]

Agreed. In fact, a brokered convention would benefit three guys: Thompson, Romney and Hunter.

[nmh]

He is the BEST conservative in the race but he’s refusing to change how he comes across. It’s not working and he isn’t trying to change it ... he’s letting folks down.

[Kevmo]

He will ENDORSE John McCain and thus, for all of you who have been gnashing your teeth in denial about who Thompson really is... and what he really stands for... YOU will be the ones calling him “dead”.
***I agree. It may not happen in 48 hours, but when it does, more than half of his support here on Free Republic will evaporate.

[skinkinthegrass]

hmmmm, first day?...lurkin' for how long? *skeptical* :)