Most of the people who espouse this particular conspiracy theory believe that Thompson and McCain basically marched in lock-step in the senate, and believe most of the same things.
But if that were true, then they would be competing for the same voters, correct? Logically Thompson would be splitting the McCain vote (or McCain would be splitting the Thompson vote), and without Thompson in the race McCain would have even more support.
“Most of the people who espouse this particular conspiracy theory believe that Thompson and McCain basically marched in lock-step in the senate, and believe most of the same things.”
That does seem to be the centerpoint of the argument, along with Thompson’s endorsement of McCain in 2000.
“But if that were true, then they would be competing for the same voters, correct?”
You must remember that Thompson didn’t choose to run, people begged him to. A look back at posts on this very forum at the beginning of last year will reveal the real reason. He was recruited because he was conservative enough, and because he was famous, and his supporters were hoping for an Arnold-esque cruise into the White House.