I think Fred has a specific strategy in attacking Huck instead of McDole.
Going into the debate, he presumes he can’t knock the frontrunner out entirely. I think his campaign is presuming McDole captures no more than around 30% of the SC vote...he’s below that now and I think 30 is his max. Even if that wins, it can be spun in to a worryingly low level of support for the party’s supposed leader.
Going after Huckabee made a lot more sense. If he finishes 2nd, ahead of Huck: 1) He’ll get media credit for it, something his campaign needs desperately. 2) He will have dispelled the evangelical argument...that Huck has a lock on a significant GOP base. 3) He could indirectly benefit by peeling off a few McCain voters who liked his conservative attacks on Huck.
If he had chosen a direct confrontation with McCain, he risked McCain still winning SC (likely). Then the press would write that Fred had fallen short of his goal. If he knocks down Huck, he gets mini-giant-slayer coverage.
“Going after Huckabee made a lot more sense. If he finishes 2nd, ahead of Huck: 1) He’ll get media credit for it, something his campaign needs desperately. 2) He will have dispelled the evangelical argument...that Huck has a lock on a significant GOP base. 3) He could indirectly benefit by peeling off a few McCain voters who liked his conservative attacks on Huck.
If he had chosen a direct confrontation with McCain, he risked McCain still winning SC (likely). Then the press would write that Fred had fallen short of his goal. If he knocks down Huck, he gets mini-giant-slayer coverage.”
That’s a bit of a stretch. It was Fred’s best performance but why go after Huckabee and not McCain? I think they’re too close of buddies and Thompson is hoping to be on VP ticket.