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At one point Thompson was the number one candidate in the Republican field. He appeared on the Jay Leno show, he was the front-page headlines on every newspaper. Before that he was the fill-in for Paul Harvey, was a long-time cast member on a top-rated TV series, and did ABS News radio commentaries.

I’m sorry, but I can’t see how a guy who is so unknown he gets 1% in the polls could possibly be expected to “raise Thompson’s visibility”.

But if Thompson back in September had come out and said “I appreciate the 40% support I’m seeing, but frankly, there’s already a great man in the race, and I’ll spend the next year campaigning for him, our next President, Duncan Hunter” — THAT would have raised Hunter’s visibility.

At one point Thompson was the number one candidate in the Republican field.

I don't remember it that way. Thompson didn't enter the race until after Labor Day, so it would have been next to impossible for him to outpoll Giuliani and Romney prior to that. Giuliani was the early leader, and that was by a large margin. How could Thomposon have been ranked higher? I don't believe he was.

He appeared on the Jay Leno show, he was the front-page headlines on every newspaper.

Front page appearances don't guarantee a top spot. It's not even an indication of standing. It's simply a matter of what is deemed news on any given day, perhaps a slow news day otherwise.

Before that he was the fill-in for Paul Harvey, was a long-time cast member on a top-rated TV series, and did ABS News radio commentaries.

That may be so, but you'll have to understand that somewhere in the neighborhood of 97.5% of the populace doesn't tune in to those programs.

I’m sorry, but I can’t see how a guy who is so unknown he gets 1% in the polls could possibly be expected to “raise Thompson’s visibility”.

Any candidate that withdraws draws attention with his announcement. Both Tancredo and Hunter could have or could still help someone who should be the closest to their views.

But if Thompson back in September had come out and said “I appreciate the 40% support I’m seeing, but frankly, there’s already a great man in the race, and I’ll spend the next year campaigning for him, our next President, Duncan Hunter” — THAT would have raised Hunter’s visibility.

40% hugh... I'm not buying that. That would imply Giuliani, Romney and McCain were each getting about 20%. Even if the polls had looked that way, it would have been my premise that you never put too much stock in a poll that is taken directly after a big event/announcement. You have to give things a little time to shake out, then look at the figures.

Thompson hasn't run the robust campaign the others have. He's still in the hunt, even if down to around 14 points.

As for Hunter, I don't see the point of throwing your support behind a guy with two or three percent in the polls. While I may wish for better as it relates to Hunter, it's up to him to sell his ideals. If he can't, I sure can't win it for him and neither can Thompson.

I don't find any fault with Thompson. I like the guy's stance on the issues and his refreshing take on things. He'll get my vote.