“Fred was in the race to win.”
You were played.
You can keep yammering on about ‘being played’ all you want, but here’s a question for you. Which of the GOP candidates offered any well thought out positions on the issues? Fred Thompson was the only one; even some in the MSM and the alleged conservative media had to admit that. Why would someone who was only playing at being a candidate for President even BOTHER to do the work required to bring those issues the serious consideration they deserved?
You don't know that as fact.
Everyone in the race was played. Unfortunately McCain wound up as the default candidate for liberals and mushy middle independents. To me McCain has four strikes against him, not withstanding his hotheaded temper.
Kennedy-McCain Amnesty legislation
McCain-Edwards-Kennedy Patients’ Bill of Rights
McCain–Feingold Campain Finance Reform
McCain-Lieberman Climate Stewardship Act of 2003
Can we expect to see more of the same if he is elected President?