“Losing in Iowa and then in New Hampshire... the same as what many seem to say will cause Thompson to leave.”
I don’t believe losing both states is enough to drive Thompson out of the race. What will doom any candidate is failure to place 1st, 2nd or 3rd in IA or be among the top two finishers in NH. While it is entirely possible that Fred will be among the top 3 in Iowa, I’ve seen no evidence he’ll come in first or second in NH. In fact, the latest Rasmussen has Fred!! at 3% and behind Ron Paul: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/nh/new_hampshire_republican_primary-193.html
As to Romney, I’ve seen no evidence he won’t be in the top 3 in IA and among the top 2 in NH. So even if Mitt comes in second in both states, he stays in good shape.
As it stands now, it’s likely Huck, Mitt and one other person come out of Iowa alive. The top 2 in NH are likely to be Mitt and McCain.
It’s likely Mitt is the only viable candidate after NH. So I still don’t see a scenario where Mitt leaves the race.
But, if you have one, I’m all ears.
Why he should pull out if he had any morals:
On Nov. 7, 2005, Gov. Romney touted the 30 months and half a million dollars his administration had spent shaping the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which will reduce global warming gas pollution by 10 percent by 2019. “I’m convinced it is good business,” said Romney. On Dec. 14, 2005, one hour before clearing the way for his presidential ambitions by announcing that he would not run again for governor, Mitt Romney abruptly pulled Massachusetts out of the agreement, saying it would be bad for business.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1944620/posts
Romney, by those who know him best.