Ping!
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 ...
Yeah, and that could include me! But not because I'm a baby - - rather because I am done voting for the least evil.
Same ole, same ole, barring Rudy filling the inside straight it's Romney versus McCain.
I'll be voting for Romney on Super Tuesday, I don't give a crap whether McCain can beat Hillary or not.
Haha, Petronski. Pick on NJ...that's so original. Gutsy, too. But you're wrong. I don't HAVE to live in NJ. I CHOOSE to live in NJ, having been to 45 states. NJ's not perfect, but it has a diverse landscape, proximity to many wonderful things, and enough people and jobs to keep my wallet fat and my bills paid.
So, you folks ready to face facts about Fred yet?
Agreed. At this point I am beginning to wonder if Romney can beat the Clintons in November. Of the viable GOP candidates at this point, he is certainly the least unpalatable.
Yea, I think yer right. I think Rudy’s toast after FLA. He and Fred were wrong to start late. Didn’t work.
?
Face facts about Fred?
He’s the best candidate the GOP has has had in 25 years and liberal mouthbreathers are voting for the Four Horsemen.
“So, you folks ready to face facts about Fred yet?”
Good luck with that. LOL
Amen.
Well there's time for that discussion I suppose. I don't agree with the thinking. In my view, even if you choose not to decide, you've chosen something. Neutrality helps the person you were most likely to vote against. A nonvote from a GOPer is half a vote for the DEM party, imo.
Plus, if you sit it out, and the GOPer wins, you and your compadres have no leverage, because you didn't help get him elected. He owes you nothing, and likely got in with the support of moderates. If exit polls show a GOPer won WITH conservative support, they keep their seat at the table.
THAT, imo, is the smart play. It's business, not personal.
“Want more military conflicts ? McPain will get us there quickly without regard of the consequences ....”
Huh? Boy that sure came out of left field. I’m no McQueeg supported but come on.
“...and be watching Hillary’s victory speech?”
I’ll bring the popcorn. If Fred drops out, I will hold my nose for Romney. Past that...well, that is what taglines are for.
Fixed it for you.
Ping!
This does not look promising. It’s shaping up to be an election where we support the GOP nominee only because the Rodent nominee is so dangerous. Too bad.
I can face it. I don’t have to like it.
There was some talk last year of a Conservative 3rd party.
Perhaps whats happening to the now is the beginning of something good.
Same difference. I wonder who Reagan voted for in 76. I bet he didn't piss and moan and stay home. I'll betcha he voted for Ford. Don't you think? And wasn't Ford a liberal GOPer from the Rockefeller wing?
We hold primaries. We hope our guy wins. But if he doesn't, we ought to look at what the practical choice is. A nonvote by a GOPer is a halfvote for the DEMs. Talk about a sellout.
Accepting the results of a contest is not selling out. It's being an adult.
None of us has to like it, but we all ought to face it. That’s been my main thrust throughout Fredmania. I don’t think a 3rd party is a good idea. If you take the conservatives OUT of the GOP, we have even less leverage than we have now.
“What are you going to do if Fred drops out and endorses McCain?”
In that case I will back Mitt Romney.
Watching John McCain’s love-fest with Lindsay Graham turned my stomach.
And this is new?
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