Should He Stay or Should He Go? (Fred)

The Corner at National Review ^ | January 20, 2008 | Kathryn Jean Lopez

[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.

[Pajamajan]

STAY FRED, STAY.

[ejonesie22]

Perhaps, and maybe not. There are too many things in play this early to start writing obituaries just yet.

[reasonisfaith]

“Unfortunatley, it’s way to late to start campaiging now.”

Kinda like it’s too late to argue against global warming?

[reasonisfaith]

“the couch”

The couch? What kind of information are you posting here?

[Dr. Sivana]

Why should Thompson stay in? He said himself that South Carolina was his ‘line in the sand’.

I didn't say Thompson should stay in. I just don't like ghoulish Romney supporters urging him to drop out and support their guy. Thompson can stay or get out, and Republicans can make up their own minds who to vote for.

By the way, after Romney LOST Iowa AND NH after spending millions of his own dollars, I was NOT among the many saying he was out of it. I said there will likely be a brokered convention, and he will certainly have a seat (and a good one) at the table.

Romney supporters should be happy that Thompson is staying in. Thompson's southern support won't be going (for the most part) to him. The behaviour of the Romney and Huckabee campaigns (or at least their allies) is doing everything possible to drive Thompson supporters away from their man as a possible backup choice.

There is no great candidate this cycle, different freepers have made different judgments. But please don't pretend that Romney is the candidate equivalent of a sweet, beautiful, blushing virginal bride who will be an exceptional wife and mother in her tireless devotion to God, family, home and hearth. Just make the case that she is at least slightly more virtuous than the other streetwalkers (disclaimer: Duncan Hunter is not, and never was, a streetwalker) and she doesn't currently carry any social diseases.

[Theo]

Ah, that “fire in his belly” talking point.

Give me a man of principle who gets the job done over someone who comes across as having “fire in the belly.”

[gruna]

I predicted yesterday that Thompson would drop out within 24-48 hours, and I’m sticking with that. It will help Romney, so I’m all for it.

[ejonesie22]

You maybe right, but I don’t know how much it will help Mitt...

[gruna]

Watch what happens in Florida after Thompson drops out. Romney will win.

[ejonesie22]

If he does drop, maybe. He has yet to drop.

[gruna]

Soon. Very soon.

[ejonesie22]

Maybe, and if he does, we are worse off for it.

[gruna]

No, conservatism will be better off, because it will hurt McCain.

[ejonesie22]

By a matter of degrees only...

[curiosity]

The couch? What kind of information are you posting here?

It's called a metaphor.

[gruna]

By more than you apparently think. And it doesn’t take a lot to make a difference. McCain only won by three in South Carolina.

[ejonesie22]

I was talking about Conservatism, not vote counts.

Unlike you, Mitt’s charm and grace have not sold me on his Conservative Bonafides. I am willing to give him benefit of the doubt, but I want a conservative I can believe in, not one I have to hope for the best with. Again we may have to settle, and that is unsettling.

Besides that, I am not sure how well Mitt will do nationally..

[gruna]

It’s down to Romney, McCain, Giuliani, Hillary, or Obama. Romney is clearly the most conservative of the group. You pays your money, and you takes your choice.

[Carry_Okie]

As I said:

To: 2ndDivisionVet

His job is done now that Hunter has dropped out.

We'll watch for that ol' Bob Dole swan dive any time now.

152 posted on 01/20/2008 10:13:15 PM PST by Carry_Okie (We have people in power who love evil.)

So, when are conservatives going to learn to vote their hearts instead of tricking themselves into backing a gutless substitute because "he can win"?

Had conservatives backed Hunter with their hearts and money instead of talking themselves into someone with "name recognition" (as if that matters in presidential elections), IMO, Hunter would be top tier right now. But then, what do I know?

[2ndDivisionVet]

"Had conservatives backed Hunter with their hearts and money instead of talking themselves into someone with "name recognition" (as if that matters in presidential elections), IMO, Hunter would be top tier right now. But then, what do I know?"

Please name the last congressman to go on to the White House without some intervening experience. The last senator was John Kennedy in 1960.