[John Valentine]

I assume the faster Fred drops out, the faster his conservative supporters will back the other conservative in the race, like they should have from day one.

If you assume that Thompson will bow out after finishing third in Iowa, while Hunter will soldier on afer getting maybe one tenth of one percent of the caucus votes, you are even more deluded than kevmo, the other Hunter supporter still nursing faint hope. Hunter will bow out before the New Hampshire primary. He'll be the first to go. McCain will be next, after Florida. Alan Keyes and Ron Paul will continue embarrassing themselves right up to the convention, but by super Tuesday, there will only be two viable candidates left, Romney and Thompson. Huckabee will be around, but not a factor; ditto Giuliani.

[for-q-clinton]

but by super Tuesday, there will only be two viable candidates left, Romney and Thompson

I hope you're right. But what do you base this on? How do you see Thompson holding on? I'm looking for some encouraging news.