Posted on 01/20/2008 6:57:50 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
An e-mail:
I see that some people (Adler, Geraghty) are calling for Fred to stay in the race. The practical consequence of Thompson's presence so far has been to hand South Carolina to McCain. It's seems unlikely that this dynamic will change in other southern states. All Thompson is managing to do is to split the conservative vote and clear the way for McCain.
Adler also makes the improbable claim that Romney has been revealed as a very weak candidate, even though the information is right there on The Corner that Romney has garnered more votes so far than anyone else in the race.
Lastly, Romney gets slammed for spending money. He is the only candidate running who is attempting to win or place in every state. Giuliani, who also has spent quite a lot, has abandoned most of the country. Fred made a minimal effort outside SC. I half expect a plea for campaign finance reform to follow some of these complaints that Romney is spending too much money. It's very strange.
UPDATE: Another:
Fred is "splitting" the conservative vote with Huckabee. Don't ask me why a conservative would vote for Huckabee, but without Fred, Huckabee would have won S.C. big. If all of Fred's votes had gone to Romney, he still would have been third. Fred should stay in. I'd rather see a brokered convention than Huckabee or McCain as the nominee before then.
Very well said, sir. Your cogent analysis is appreciated. I look forward to hearing more from you in future.
Soliton’s analysis was based on his speech Saturday night, yours was based on comments by compaign officials Saturday morning. Of course they want to quash talk that he’s dropping out the morning of the primary, but given that he wasn’t even a close third, and given his speech Saturday night, the odds are high he will drop out sometime this week.
The only candidate currently running that I would be PLEASED with as president is Thompson.
The only candidate currently running I could ACCEPT if Thompson doesn't win is Romney. My complaints about him are many, but I wouldn't be depressed if he won.
As I see it, if he only acts as a block for the dreadful Huckabee, Thompson will have done a service.
I don't think anyone can realistically believe Thompson is going to be our next president. But if by staying in he blocks Huckabee, I hope he stays until Huckabee goes.
I see Mit Romney as similar to President George H.W. Bush (41) with a litle bit of Ike thrown in.
Is it wrong to pray the imprecatory Psalms for Huck?
So what is your point?
None!
Thompson will drop out soon, and he should.
Why?
Why not Rudy?
Rudy probably should as well if he doesn’t win Florida, since it’s clear he’s been counting on Florida the way Thompson was counting on SC.
Regarding Thompson, he should drop out because he lost badly in South Carolina, a state where he should have done much better.
Regarding Giuliani, he will wait until he sees how he does in Florida.
We'll watch for that ol' Bob Dole swan dive any time now.
Could be. He’s the only one I could stomach of all the alternatives, R and D.
If Huckabee is the nominee, not only would he lose, but he could very well mean the party simply splits into the Unreasonable Religious Right and the Reasonable Religious and Not-So-Religious Right.
Let Fred go, he never did have the “fire in his belly”. He acted as if well if someone will give it to me I’ll take it, but we need a scrapper. Do you remember the one man that could change all of this and he said “ if it appears that there is not a really good candidate I will get in”?? Remember his?? Guess who Newt...
You must go to a good school young scholar
Contrary to other Romney supporters, I don't think Fred's staying in the race hurts Romney much. Thompson supporters who have Romney as their second choice will vote for Romney now anyway because they realize Fred isn't viable. A few diehards will stick to him through thick and thin, but I doubt many of those would go for Romney if Fred were to drop out.
The field will thin regardless of whether Fred chooses to recognize the inevitable and drop out.
If Thompson had actually gotten off the couch and worked a little to get this union going, it might have become a reality. Unfortunatley, it's way to late to start campaiging now.
Fred needs to go. It didn’t work out.
Uh, could you try and let the candidate decide that? Also, let his supporters decide whether to support him or not? If and when he decides to leave the race, his supporters will find someone else to support. Otherwise just leave them alone! Most people on here are smart, and will know what they want. They’re not children, and they’ll support Fred until he backs out.
Perhaps no one should leave just yet.
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