Fred update: He’s staying if he finishes third in SC; Update: Fred third in SC

Hot Air ^ | January 19, 2008 | Allahpundit

[CaspersGh0sts]

Watch as the goalposts move before your very eyes, with less contested southern states like Georgia and Tennessee now the benchmark for voter enthusiasm.

Third in SC is very much a possibility, of course — but early indications from Carl Cameron are not good.

Politico says he sounds wistful on the trail today while the NYT seizes one last opportunity to snark. “Amen! Tell the truth, Fred! Amen!”

Update: Victory in defeat:

Over the past month, Huckabee first surged in polls of South Carolina Republicans, from fifth place to, for a time, a solid first place. Over the past two weeks, however, he has fallen behind McCain, largely for two reasons: McCain got a major boost from his January 8 New Hampshire win, and the struggling campaign of Fred Thompson made a last ditch effort to get on track here. While well behind and tied for third place with Romney, Thompson did make gains, and the data suggest that virtually every point Thompson picked up came out of Huckabee’s hide.

[svcw]

Wow, exit polls.
100% accuracy rating....why bother voting, let’s just do exit polls.

[RockinRight]

I still cannot understand this Huckabee phenomenon.

[joebuck]

"Just think how “used” and stupid those flag voters will feel, once they see that he can’t do a thing about a State’s flag."

Wasn't that exactly the point he was making?

[pissant]

I won’t ever support the manchurian candidate.

[Huck]

He also doesn’t want the job, has no executive experience to speak of, and ran a lousy campaign.

[CaspersGh0sts]

Duncan Hunter did do better in Nevada than he’s done in any state save Wyoming thus far...

The West knows best, it would appear.

[bill1952]

Hillary will beat Romney like a drum.

He cannot even deliver his own state.
If it’s Romney for us, then its Hillary as the next president.

[GraniteStateConservative]

First it was, wait till Fred really works the crowd in Iowa the last two weeks, then it was hes not in NH because northerners dont like him and their too RINO like. Then it was wait till hes in SC and see how the real conservatives down there will warm up to him. Now its, even a third place will keep him alive.

Fred will dominate the Thompson household caucus and that will provide the bounce he needs to send him to the nomination.

[KoRn]

"When was the last time exit polls were off by 20 points??"

November of 2004? I doubt it's the case this time though...

[svcw]

Yes, I will be disappointed.
It appears that republicans are either voting for big government Christian republican or liberal republican or its my turn republican....and forsaking the only real conservative for above mentioned.

[Berlin_Freeper]

I knew us conservatives were in trouble when my first choice Brownback dropped out early. People laughed, people made fun, but he was the most social conservative of the bunch and for the most social conservative to exit so early showed that it won’t be a conservative President this time around. America is in a different mood. What can you do. BTW no one is laughing now except the Libs.

[RockinRight]

Romney’s my second choice.

However, he polls the WORST by far against Hillary and Obama. McCain actually polls the best and is the only one as of TODAY who’d win the general against either one of them.

[DeusExMachina05]

LOL

[RockinRight]

Brownback was almost as bad as Huckabee. Socially perfect but weak on most other issues.

[gbscott1954]

Yeah, RINOS all!

[papasmurf]

And the POTUS can do what? TELL the State legislature to change it?

Typical of you, fan the flames.

[SE Mom]

You want to know why there have been no exit polls at FR?? PEOPLE ARE STILL VOTING.

[bill1952]

At least when it comes to smaller government and federalism.

And defending our borders.
And lower taxes.
And the first amendment.

Speaking of the above is there even one of those that McCain did not sell us out with?

I’m not even going to include the huckafeller

[Rome2000]

Take away all of the females and homosexuals who are in love with WILARDS hair and Thompson is 3rd easy.

[DeusExMachina05]

He was on TV during the NH primary holding a sign with one campaign aide. It was really sad, and sadder still that people here are tied to him like a cinderblock on a sinking dead man.