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 ...
Seriously, I don't understand the appeal of Fred Thompson at FR.
“Watching John McCain’s love-fest with Lindsay Graham turned my stomach.”
Just to many things that turn my stomach about McQueeg. He is just one step away from being a dimocRAT. He almost became one by being Kerry’s running mate.
“he should consider third party if necessary.”
He might even win third party. A lot of conservatives won’t show up given the clown show now in place.
It doesn't make one bit of a difference, aside from Thompson, not one of them could hold a debate against her. Not one of them.
If Fred was not in this race, Huckabee wins by 5 points or more. Fred is doing his job as surrogate to McCain.
Fred ain’t the nominee, and “we” is done. I’ll not stand by and watch my party hijacked by the left.
“He might even win third party. A lot of conservatives won’t show up given the clown show now in place.”
And how exactly would the math work on a 3rd party run by Fred. He’s only polling 12% nationally, he’s not going to get much of a crossover vote, and he can’t get enough GOP votes to even place in SC.
And who lost the election, bud ? Put up a liberal RINO against a liberal rodent and take a wild guess who wins.
"Accepting" is one thing, aiding and abetting is quite another. I will not assist the hijacking of our party by the left. That's that.
The nominee is determined in the primaries. Once a nominee is picked, the choice is pretty clear. Then you let the chips fall.
So, what do you think Reagan did? Think he stayed home?
Dear Senator Thompson:
Please do NOT drop out of the race! You are the ONLY conservative running this year, so we need you to stay in and fight for us. I have bundled over $40,000 for your campaign, wrote numerous letters, phoned, contacted friends and more and I’ve never done anything like that before, because I didn’t have someone I believed in this much. We asked you to run, and we’re asking you to keep running. We’ll find the money! Thank you!
Fred
“I wonder who Reagan voted for in 76.”
I don’t know, but George McGovern revealed that he voted for Gerald Ford!
What u may not have realize yet...is this is a conservative site first...Not a republican site...No offense meant...just an observation
And if Huck wasn't in, Fred would have won. A lot of people think Huck is in it to be McCain's veep. That's why Huck never criticizes him.
No, instead you'll choose the "hijacking" of our country. Talk about cutting off yer nose to spite yer face. Not smart.
[And how exactly would the math work on a 3rd party run by Fred. ]
I’m obviously not betting the farm on it. But say McCain is the nominee by plurality. That could mean two thirds of Republicans never voted for him, and he’d be running to the center. That means the Mitt, Huckabee and even Giuliani votes would be up for grabs. Plus the rare sane Democrat.
I’m sticking with Fred. I hope he stays with it. If he’s got the money, he might as well continue. Someone has to stay and fight for conservative principles and cause “the Republican Party to look in the mirror” as Fred said. I’d love to see him in the Florida debate holding the RINOs feet to the fire.
Cap'n, your post just inspired me to donate again to Thompson. I'm pinging Jim Robinson on this because I think that now is exactly WHEN we Fred supporters should send him some dough just to let him know that we want him to keep pluggin'. Right now, in these immediate hours after the SC primary, is when our $ support will give Fred and his team the most moral support.
Donations right now, more than any other time, will convey a very powerful message from we true conservatives. In this primary, I will ONLY vote for Thompson, even if I have to write him in (if that's an option!). Otherwise, I'll pass. There is no second choice.
I kind of think that is what Fred has been doing (helping McCain) and we were all suckered.
"Put up a liberal RINO against a liberal rodent and take a wild guess who wins."
We'll see if the party confirms the liberal hijacking at the convention. If they do, the party can go screw itself.
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