[Yaelle]

If Romney really wanted to court Fred supporters, he would issue a statement within the next few hours praising Thompson for his consistent, conservative values, and call him a good man who put country before self during his run.

I think that would help me. I am really sad and if one of the other candidates would notice and praise Fred, not in a written statement, but face in front of the camera, it would mean a lot to THIS Thompson supporter.

[tsmith130]

I think that would help me. I am really sad and if one of the other candidates would notice and praise Fred, not in a written statement, but face in front of the camera, it would mean a lot to THIS Thompson supporter.

Romney basically just did this with Carl Cameron on FOX. It was hard to follow because FOX had audio problems but Romney did praise him. Carl also asked a question about Thompson being on Romney's VP short list. The audio was so bad and I was in another room that I didn't quite make out all that Romney said...although what I was able to catch sounded positive.

[visualops]

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney issued the following statement on former Senator Fred Thompson withdrawing his candidacy for President of the United States:

"Throughout this campaign, Fred Thompson brought a laudable focus to the challenges confronting our country and the solutions necessary to meet them. He stood for strong conservative ideas and believed strongly in the need to keep our conservative coalition together. Ann and I would like to extend our best wishes to Fred, Jeri and their family and congratulate them on their efforts during this campaign."