Those who were foolish enough to believe that Thompson was sincerely running as a conservative expect the candidate to pledge his delegates to a fellow conservative in about 5 more months, as the September nominating convention approaches. During the next 5 months they expect that a selfproclaimed conservative like Thompson would remain active and outspoken against the nomination of a liberal Republican.
As I think about it now, I might tend to agree that Fred’s trying to save the party rather than support McCain. Timing and all of that seem to indicate it.
Had Romney stayed in, I doubt seriously he would have said anything.