What's a Fredhead to do??

1/20/2008 | Skully

[skully]

Fred Thompson's distant third in last night's South Carolina primary, has me re-thinking my support. I say this with disappointment, " I don't think Fred can win the nomination". Part of me wants to support him to the bitter end. Another part feels that in doing so I may only be helping McCain or Huckabee; my least 2 favorite candidates. I live in a Super Tuesday state, and my vote may actually matter this cycle, so I want to use it wisely. The only other candidates who seems like they can stop McCain or Huckabee is Romney or Rudy. If McCain wins in Florida, then he's in good shape to be the nominee. Polling analysis, done before Nevada and South Carolina primary; has him in the lead in Florida at around 23% about a 2 point lead over Rudy whose at 21-22%. Romney is around 18%, Hucakabee 15%, Fred 7%, and Paul 5%. Florida is a winner take all state, so whoever wins will have solid delegate count. Romney has the most delegate at this point, counts vary from source to source, but I put him at 72 to McCain's 38. So a win from Romney in Florida would give him a solid lead going into Super Tuesday. A win by Rudy would knock McCain into 3rd in the delegate count. So my quandry is do I continue to support Fred, or put my support behind a candidate who has a better chance of stopping McCain. In the end I will vote for the GOP nominee regardless. This is only because the troops are deployed, and they don't deserve a Commander-In-Chief from the party that tried to lose the war for them. So the primary is where my vote counts the most, and I want to put the "best man possible" for the job on the ticket. Unfortunately it dosen't look like the "best man" for the job will be at the top of that ticket, but there's is another spot on that ticket. Hey it might be wishful thinking, but what's a Fredhead to do??

[streetpreacher]

Actually, the VP is chosen by the Convention, although normally it is just a formality.

[pookie18]

I'm in your exact situation in NJ. I support FRed, but may vote for Rudy in my primary if McCain is still leading in the NJ polls. I still plan to vote for the Republican nominee in November for several reasons.

[ChocChipCookie]

I'm going to keep my fingers crossed for Fred, but when it comes time to vote here in Arizona on Feb. 4 (I think), I'll probably vote for Romney.

Some people need to take a broader view at what is at stake here. It goes way beyond conservatism. A Democrat President will absolutely appoint liberal judges to the Supreme Court. The consequences of that will last for decades, and it won't just all be about abortion. Did you like the decision that weakened our property rights? There's a lot more of that to come with a liberal Supreme Court. How about giving rights to Guantanamo inmates? There are a lot of liberal lawyers just itching to make that happen. I could go on and on about the damage a Democrat President will do to the Supreme Court. I'm not willing to let that happen if I can help it.

A Democrat President will absolutely weaken the military, showing our enemies that, once again, we're easy targets. Next time they might attack my city. Again, I'm not willing to let that happen. Our enemies around the world will be delighted with a Democrat President. Can't you just picture Hugo Chavez giving Hillary or Obama a big hug with a smile on his fat face? I can.

So much more is at stake than the health of conservatism. All I have to fight back with is my vote, and I won't vote by default for a Democrat by staying at home.

[DCPatriot]

A vote for Rudy is a slap in the face to values voters. A vote for Huck will lose in November. Fred has never won a primary and is not going to. The compromise is?

The 'compromise' is to accept the real possibility of a Hillary Clinton presidency and pray it's only for 4 years.

And say another prayer for the good health of Justice Kennedy and Justice Souter.

[gruna]

It’s time for Rush Limbaugh to stop being coy, admit the obvious, and endorse Romney. No more time left for playing games. It’s crunch time.

[2001convSVT]

I am staying with Fred and if he dosen’t get the nomination all the money that I would have sent to the Republican party will go to the NRA or GOA.

[jdm]

Do you have a link for that Ann Coulter statement? If she’s talking about Gingrich for President it must be an old remark and how do you prove she feels the same way today about Romney?

[devere]

It’s up to Fred.

As long as he is a candidate for President, I support him.
I’ve advised him to stay in the race with a light campaign schedule, at least until someone else clearly has a majority of the delegates. He may be the compromise choice in case of a convention deadlock. This year I wouldn’t rule it out.

[I see my hands]

"What's a Fredhead to do?"

Romney - Palin '08!

[jdm]

It’s time for Rush Limbaugh to stop being coy, admit the obvious, and endorse Romney.

ROTFL! Good one!

[wtc911]

When you do the algebra, the answer to the equation is Romney. He is the most conservative ELECTABLE candidate in the race....

_______________________________________

My considered conclusion too. I'll vote for McCain over any dem but it won't feel like I'm voting for a Rebublican/

[Williams]

Oh, why should these self righteous types think about a little detail like 130,000 of our troops in the middle of a war?

[napscoordinator]

Fred can’t win a state so having him on the ticket now might be negative. I was all about a Thompson/Romney ticket until the results came in that Fred cannot carry the South. Too risky to have him on the ticket now.

[mefistofelerevised]

The disarray of the Republican party is scary. We’ve got a RINO as governor of California who has increased spending 30%. The candidates who are real conservatives don’t stand a chance and have or will drop out. What does Republican mean? It has nothing to do with conservative anymore.

[gruna]

He will. Count on it.

[Mr. Brightside]

I voted against Hillary.

I am taking the 5th on the rest of the answer.

[bperiwinkle7]

You give up too easily. Just Stand Strong.

[BallyBill]

I've actually seen some arguments that McCain is closest to Fred's agenda and eventually he'll support him.

I'm ordering popcorn by the barrel.

[News Junkie]

Vote Romney. He’s run an executive branch, run a business, run an olympics. All successfully. Those are conservative credentials. He’s the best combination at the moment of strength, competence, and values. He’s been my guy from the beginning.

[jdm]

Coulter said that back on March 2, 2007. Everything has changed since then.