[Eagle of Liberty]

I do not believe that any other Republican currently in the race would get the conservatives motivated to work and vote for him. IOW, anybody else will lose in November, no matter whom the Dems nominate. Republican presidential candidates do not have a very good track record if they do not mobilize the conservative base.

I would have agreed with you last Friday before SC and I would have agreed with you if Thompson would have finished closer to McCain and Huckabee in SC, but I am now facing a strange reality. The conservative base may not be as important as we wish it would be.

When McCain can win in a state that is supposedly a conservative gauge, I have to stand back and take another look at things. McCain, the man who would give this country away, won. He won in a state where the biggest supposed issue is immigration. The biggest issue is immigration so they vote for MCCAIN AND HUCKABEE???!!!!

I am left scratching my head as my main guy, Hunter, left the race. My next best hope is Thompson. I just can't kick this feeling of being kicked in the chest. How can Republicans and so-called conservatives vote for a man, McCain, after the last few years of his actions? How did America stand up and shout down McCain's attempt to shove "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" down our throats and now they are voting for this same man and putting him at the top of the Republican ticket?

[Daveinyork]

The conservative base always seems to have more impact in the general election than in the primaries in Presidential elections. The primaries nominate a moderate, and the conservative base stays home on general election day.

[Daveinyork]

It may be that a lot of conservatives are not registered Republicans. They seem to disappear in the primaries, but can make their presence felt in the general, either by voting Republican, or staying home.

[SuziQ]

When McCain can win in a state that is supposedly a conservative gauge, I have to stand back and take another look at things

Could be SC like NH has changed over the years, and is not as conservative as it used to be. Of course the constant negativity in the press about Fred probably led some to think their vote would be wasted by voting for him. Too bad, because they advanced the moderate wing of the party by their reticence.