Posted on 01/19/2008 6:31:23 PM PST by FocusNexus
Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson didn't drop out of the Republican presidential field after his disappointing finish in Saturday's South Carolina primary -- but he sounded close to it.
About an hour after the polls closed, Thompson addressed a ballroom in a college student union, an event that featured as many students enjoying free beer as it did hardcore Thompson supporters. He delivered a lengthy soliloquy, speaking in the past tense about "clear conservatism," the cornerstone of his campaign.
"My friends, we will always be bound by a close bond because we have traveled a very special road together for a very special purpose," Thompson told the crowd. "It's never even been about me, it's never been about you. It's been about our country."
Thompson's campaign declined to say whether the speech was a concession, a swan song, a stump speech to signal that he's fighting on, or what. Campaign spokesmen wouldn't say what the former Tennessee senator's next move is.
"The campaign is still a campaign until it's not the campaign," said Rich Galen, a Thompson campaign senior adviser. "There's no hurry to make a decision, other than your deadline. I don't have anything to add -- not tonight."
Thompson conceded earlier Saturday that he needed a win in South Carolina to keep his presidential campaign alive.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
“I kind of think that is what Fred has been doing (helping McCain) and we were all suckered.”
That would bemy guess. You’ll know for sure if Fred continues in the face of certain doom. He doesn’t have a real possibility of getting the nomination at this point, so the only reason to continue is to split the vote. Freds endorsement wouldn’t help McCain, conseratives would just ignore it, but siphoning votes from Huckabee & Romney would help.
The sorry state of Conservatism right now is directly do to a President and Congress that turned away from Classic Libealism and toward Keynsian statism. Put a Rino in office with a Democrat legislature, and we will lose more Governship, Judicial appointments, and congress critters.
McPain is certain Amnesty and certain hegemonic conflict escalation . He is no Conservative .
I've been predicting what has come to pass. Fred's demise as a candidate. I think Rudy is a goner too, and probably Huckabee as well. I think it comes down to Romney v McCain, and I think Romney is the better choice.
even RINO hide can bleed when u hit em that hard..
McPain and GWB are on the same page re: amnesty. So what? If you have proamnesty vs proamnesty in the general election, you have to look to other factors to make a choice. For me, nat’l defense makes the choice of GOP v DEM very clear, and very easy.
And in a Romney vs Hillary/Obama contest... why bother voting?
“I kind of think that is what Fred has been doing (helping McCain) and we were all suckered.”
I don’t know if Fred’s done that to this point, but if he continues about all he can accomplish will be to help McCain by taking votes from Huckabee and Romney. If Fred endorses McCain, I’ll lose all respect for him.
I’ve hoped for months that either Fred or Romney would emerge as the winner. No real preference of the two. Rush, Levin and other conservative talkers have as much as said the same thing, praising the stances of both during recent weeks while pointing out their differences with McCain and others.
Romney, and many before him, have changed some positions when going from state to nationwide campaigns. I believe Romney would govern as he says now, flip-flops or not. I think his real flip-flops were to win in liberal Mass. and his positions now are what he’s probably always been.
Fred and Romney are very close on the issues, especially immigration. If Fred endorsed McCain he’d be abandoning what he’s campaigned on thus far. I’m definitely hoping Romney can win it now that Fred’s seems finished.
All Fred supporters need to take a fresh look at Romney. He’s closer to Fred than any others by far.
So, what do YOU think Reagan did in 76? Think he voted GOP? Or do you think he stayed home?
I may be wrong, but isn’t Thompson the one who’s getting the ongoing Conservative endorsements?
The media is treating Thompson like the unborn child — refusing to admit he’s viable.
Going to Thompson 8.7% 44
Whooo Hooo!! Not only does Fred's support remain strong, he's picked up a few supporters!
(I just checked again...that number is now 52.)
McCain nauseates me, but even he would be better than the lying slimebag scumball from Arkansas.
Hillary will absolutely escalate M.E. conflict as well .
Hillary will try to prove that she is a hawk on the military aggression issue , I believe , with devastating results .
Yup. If McCain holds up, Huckabee for sure is dead. No way will the big states go for him. Same for Mitt. The only way now to prevent the rinos McCain or Giuliani from getting the nomination is for Huckabee and Mitt to drop out and get behind the only all around consistent conservative in in the race that can pull all three legs of the Reagan coalition back together, FRed Thompson!
Social conservatives, fiscal conservatives and security conservatives should all unite behind FRed! The Reagan Revolution has not yet begun to fight!!
On to victory in FRed November!!
Go, FRed, GO!!
Jwalsh, if it comes down to McCain vs. Hillary, I tell you true I'm just going to avert my eyes to the whole train wreck. Truly. Two completely insane whackos with serious psycho-personal *iss-yews* in their personal lives whom I am powerless to prevent one from becoming president of these dear United States? I want to even pay attention? Puh-leeeeze! I don't need the mental aggravation. I'll be surfing UFO and anti-vegan threads.
Hell, if I gave it any thought, I might vote hands-down for Hillary because it would be a gift of gold to the Republican party. I am convinced that in REAL life, were she actually IN PLACE, she would quickly end up doing more damage to the Democrat party than you can even comprehend. She is a Republican Bugga-Boo no matter how it turns out.
McCain, on the other hand, would auger in and the Republican party would be holding the bag. So ... (shrugging) ...
If Thompson quits, he's going to help McCain by endorsing him.
You are so full of crap and preconceived notions. You twist every occurrence to try to support them, making up facts and motives as you go along. But in the end it's nothing more than lies and BS.
Leni
Your choice is whomever the party puts forward.
It is still a puzzlement to me why you have put the fork in Fred's back and twisted so hard of late.
Could you possibly be one of the numerous "middle of the road" Republicans that care more about party and power than the well being of our Constitutional Republic?
Party first and then if they can drop in a little principle from time to time, a little "red meat" for the dumb conservative base that never leaves the reservation, all will be OK?
Rhetorical questions. Reply really not needed. But of course take the last word as you have been all evening!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.