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 ...
If he stays in he helps McCain by taking votes from Huck and Romney. What surprise.
CNN and MSNBC were crushed.
“What happened to Thompson? One word: Huckabee,” said Clemson University political science professor Dave Woodard. “He stole all his (Thompson’s) votes. As Huckabee began to rise, he got more money, more mailings, and the values voters who were going to Fred switched allegiances to Huckabee.”
I don’t think Fred knew he would get third at that point, so it sounded less forward looking.
he should consider third party if necessary.
It’s still a FRee country, He can damn well keep running as long as he sees fit and he has funds to do so.
I and many others would be greatly disappointed to not see him stick it out thru the Feb 5 Super Tuesday primaries.
At best, we are being offered swill and slop and being expected to accept it meekly and just move on.. Balderdash!
No reason for Fred to drop out. He should stay in until Super Tuesday.
So how long does Huckles stay in? He has few funds and if he can’t take S.C., what can he take?
FT sounds great, but doesn’t have the bonifides to back it up. Mitt/Fred (Fred to keep Mitt on the straight and narrow).
“the values voters who were going to Fred switched allegiances to Huckabee.”
What values do they have? stupidity?
My guess is he’s waiting to see how he fares in some closed primaries.
Fred should stay in until the Convention.
“if he can’t take S.C., what can he take?”
Maybe Huck can score some more wedding gifts.
I’ll stick with FDT...his conservatism may not have the new polish and shine to it but I know it’s real.
No third party. We have to clean our own house .
You are jumping up and down on my last nerve.
No Huck staying in takes votes from Thompson a real conservative not a Christian Socialist. Better McCain than Huckabee. I’m used to McCain. It is bad enough having President Bush doing a little dance with the Saudis but God help us if Huckabee is elected.
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