Despite a disappointing finish, Thompson doesn't bow out

Chicago Tribune ^ | January 21, 2008 | William Douglas

[bd476]

"...As soon as Thompson entered the race, analysts began wondering aloud why he got in, saying that he didn't show the fire in the belly that's necessary to run successfully for president. The image of Thompson as a laid-back slowpoke became fodder for late-night television comedians.

Woodard said that Thompson finally appeared to hit his stride on the stump in the Palmetto State, speaking to overflow crowds in the past week.

"Here's what happens when you're a candidate -- you get better as you go along," he said. "The problem is Huckabee's got a three-month jump on him. Fred is a good, tough candidate. If he was like this in September, things might be different."

[McGruff]

I’ll continue to support Huckabee, but posting it on “FredRepublic.com” is asking to swat at mosquitoes all day.

You're the one who poked the hornet's nest with a statement like this.

Before long, he’ll be Jesus Christ. FredHeads don’t support FDT; they worship him.

We're a little stirred up right now.

Nobody worships him in a religious sense. But he's the one us conservatives have been looking for. Just look at any the the FR polls.

[PJ-Comix]

Isn’t McCain taking public matching funds? If so, that will hurt him bigtime on Super Tuesday.

[normy]

Before long, he’ll be Jesus Christ.

thats what I am talking about. As far as Huckabee supporters who are ignorant and just think he's a good guy and believe his web site, I can give them a pass, but those who have watched him from the beginning, researched him and still vote because he thinks he's Gods candidate are the ones I think should find a new party.

I understand not everyone is a political junkie and my hop[e is that his supporters see the light. I think the "brand of Christianity" refers to a Christian who would sit by and support Huck while he lies, distorts, plays a victim, switches positions and wraps himself in his religion.

[normy]

I'm not blaming anyone. i am saying Huckabee is a very poor candidate and the phoniest one out there. Fred needs to fight as hard as Romney and Huck do. He is going to have to fight dirty at some point, if pointing out policy difference and using their own words to trap them is dirty.

I guess I don't remember what I said that was blaming everybody.

[riverdawg]

Thank you for the dose of early morning perspective and sanity.

[RangerM]

I think several of us (including me) are guilty of the “drive-by” hits on others’ candidates, but I’d bet that there are more committed by FredHeads at this point than any other; including Ron Paul (if that is possible).

When I read posts saying Huckabee is evil incarnate, I catagorize them with those that would say that Huckabee is endorsed by God. Both are extreme, and both are wrong.

When I hear people saying Huckabee (or any other candidate) is the Devil, I am hearing them say, “and only God can save us”.

[Eagle of Liberty]

I do not believe that any other Republican currently in the race would get the conservatives motivated to work and vote for him. IOW, anybody else will lose in November, no matter whom the Dems nominate. Republican presidential candidates do not have a very good track record if they do not mobilize the conservative base.

I would have agreed with you last Friday before SC and I would have agreed with you if Thompson would have finished closer to McCain and Huckabee in SC, but I am now facing a strange reality. The conservative base may not be as important as we wish it would be.

When McCain can win in a state that is supposedly a conservative gauge, I have to stand back and take another look at things. McCain, the man who would give this country away, won. He won in a state where the biggest supposed issue is immigration. The biggest issue is immigration so they vote for MCCAIN AND HUCKABEE???!!!!

I am left scratching my head as my main guy, Hunter, left the race. My next best hope is Thompson. I just can't kick this feeling of being kicked in the chest. How can Republicans and so-called conservatives vote for a man, McCain, after the last few years of his actions? How did America stand up and shout down McCain's attempt to shove "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" down our throats and now they are voting for this same man and putting him at the top of the Republican ticket?

[riverdawg]

Phil Gramm would have lost 40 states in 1996 to Bill Clinton. He reminds me of Newt Gingrich - he had many good ideas but projected a voice and personality that grates on too many people, conservatives and moderates, to have nationwide appeal. Otherwise, I agree with your post.

[Camel Joe]

Because I will not transgress my principles I am dumb? Good luck to you in the future with your new party, you know, the we USED to call the republican party. Just call yourselves progressive lite!

[Col Freeper]

[This is January. A lot can happen by July. Keep your powder dry.]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Very good advice.

But of course, there are many posters on FR that can “see the future”, and by gosh, they really, really need to tell everyone here about how it’s all going to turn out!

LOL, I still wonder why the candidates aren’t rushing here to FR to find out whether they are going to win or lose.

[Daveinyork]

The conservative base always seems to have more impact in the general election than in the primaries in Presidential elections. The primaries nominate a moderate, and the conservative base stays home on general election day.

[Daveinyork]

“Phil Gramm would have lost 40 states in 1996 to Bill Clinton.”

And you, of course, have polling data to support this. I remember him being the early front runner after the 94 elections.

[Daveinyork]

It may be that a lot of conservatives are not registered Republicans. They seem to disappear in the primaries, but can make their presence felt in the general, either by voting Republican, or staying home.

[syriacus]

FredHeads don’t support FDT; they worship him.

Who better to support, than Fred?

We are told that a vote for Thompson is a vote for McCain.

In reality...

A vote FOR Thompson

is

A vote AGAINST McCain

A vote AGAINST Huckabee

A vote AGAINST Giuliani

A vote AGAINST Romney

And, in the end,

A vote AGAINST Clinton

A vote AGAINST Obama

*******

See how much good one little vote can do?

[syriacus]

I cannot abide by the thought of four years of Hildebeast or Osama Obama, and I'm not sure the Country would survive.

Do you really think any of the other GOP candidates would actually fare better against Hillary or Obama than Fred would?

I don't.

[syriacus]

[Thompson] may not win the general election, but I think he has a much better chance than anyone else the GOP is fielding.

I agree.

Thompson is the one candidate who would make the November election a real horse race.

[Politicalmom]

Right.

Now he’s overweight, when everyone has been obsessing about how much weight he lost.

Better go back to your leader for different talking points.

[syriacus]

And I say that as someone who sent Fred some of my hard earned $$ right after he announced.

I sent Thompson money after he placed third in South Carolina.

I want to make sure that the world knows I value his conservativism.

[syriacus]

Would Huckabee or Thompson do a better job of standing up against Obama/Clinton?

[AllseeingEye33]

I disagree, McCain is much more dangerous than Hillary. He must be stopped!!!