Fred '08 alive and well, moving to SC. Politico credibility dead and buried.
By gamecock Posted in Archived — Comments (144) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Thompson must, should and is, according to this report from Human Events, continuing his quest for the White House after Iowa, especially in South Carolina, i.e. the state that picks winners:
Sources told me that Thompson’s campaign was already moving elements to South Carolina where they expect to do very well. If Thompson finished at the bottom of the pack in Iowa -- which seems very unlikely -- he would have to reassess his overall chances. But that seems unlikely. And Iowa is not a determinative race for the Republicans. It is very likely to be of lesser importance than a host of others, as John McCain, Rudy Giuliani -- and Thompson -- are betting. A candidate could easily go from a defeat there to win the nomination.
This refutes the dirty trick lie "broken" by The Politico last night that Fred Thompson was poised to drop out and endorse John McCain in a few days after Iowa (see details further down into this story).
South Carolina has a strange habit of correcting mistakes made in Iowa and/or New Hampshire, ALWAYS picking the GOP nominee and usually picking American presidents since 1980.
Huckabee is outside the conservative mainstream which SC republicans represent, especially including Southern Baptists and other evangelicals. SC is a state that is much more of a military oriented state as well, which does give John McCain an opening after a NH victory. But McCain came here in 2000 after a victory and lost due to mainly to his anti-tax cut policies and statements insulting Christians, against ONE establishment rival.
This time he could arrive against a group of candidates that could split anti-McCain vote. Thus, Fred will need to establish himself as THE conservative alternative to McCain.
One advantage he will have is that he and McCain are friends and so will not face negative ads from McCain. Moreover, he can probably count on Romney and 527's to run many deserved negative ads against McCain. Finally, given Fred's sterling consistent (though not perfect) conservative record, it is doubtful negative ads (if any, run against him, which is doubtful) would be able to hurt him.
I would be surprised if Fred does not get some pretty powerful endorsements in the weeks after NH and before SC.
Fred can be the candidate that the Reagan/conservative coalition rallies around to stop the more liberal alternatives in Huckabee and McCain, and, to a lesser extent, Romney and Giuliani, because Fred's federalism frightens fewer conservatives.
He will also have overcome a despicable dirty trick from The Politico that Jed Babbin refutes:
The rumor that Fred Thompson will quit the Republican presidential race if he finishes poorly in Iowa is not only false: it rises to the level of a political dirty trick aimed at reducing Thompson-backers’ turnout in tonight’s Iowa caucuses.
The story, which began as a rumor and caught fire as a result of a piece in today’s Politico, said that Thompson was likely to quit after Iowa if he did poorly there, and might endorse Sen. John McCain before next week’s New Hampshire primary. The article painted a glum, almost resigned mood among Thompson’s inner circle.
Thompson and his top campaign advisor Rich Galen both denied the story’s claims today.
Which raises a number of questions about The Politico’s coverage. The story, written by Jonathan Martin and Mike Allen, is apparently the result of a dirty trick by a competing campaign. The story is a very odd one. It cobbles together two unnamed sources: one a “Thompson advisor” and one a “campaign source” with Thompson’s own statement that he needed to finish second in Iowa. But Thompson’s statement -- like many others from him lately -- was a positive, energetic note on the Iowa race.
According to one report, Thompson’s top campaign advisor Rich Galen said, “I'm a Republican official in the Thompson campaign, and I'm denying it." Galen is also reported to have said that no one inside the campaign was a source for the story. "I can't put enough adjectives in front of the 'deny' to accurately describe how vehemently I'm denying the story." That, and other statements by Thompson himself today, leaves the Politico’s story out in the cold.
So how does a story like the Politico’s get out? Why did Politico’s skilled editors and reporters fall for that, and choose to put it out on the day turnout is the key to every campaign?
In every political season, there are dirty tricks like this. Some originate from opposing camps and some from the media themselves. The Politico story is of the sort that even the television networks have managed to avoid. Saying that Thompson is going to quit after Iowa on the morning of the caucuses there is like announcing the election night results in New York and the Carolinas before the polls close on the West Coast. If even CBS News wouldn’t pull a stunt like that, why would The Politico?
Fred can win. Iowa and NH only pick the GOP nominee half the time. SC always does.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
The HinzSight Report
The Minority Report
Huck is history in the Race 4 2008
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
FRED08
I don't care who was behind this. If Politico had any jounalistic integrity, they would have contacted the Thompson campaign for comment prior to publication.
Of course, that would have negated the purpose of the hit piece.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
www.fred08.com
They would name the source(s) of this fiction they have tried to peddle as news.
You listening, editors? Besides,this story would drive your hits off the chart.
I won't be holding my breath.
“Of course, we knew that the official reports were sketchy, if not falsified. But, in terms of information theory, this is precisely where the problem lay: How were we to reconstruct reality from incomplete or false reports? It is not true that virtually all news in a totalitarian state is false. On the contrary, most news is completely correct, albeit tendentiously slanded; it is just that certain information is suppressed. One can adjust for the political slanting of the news, but there is virtually no way to fill in the omissions.”
Konrad Zuse
of voter suppression, which is still a felony and J Martin and the rest at politico.com can held accountable
Speaking as a retired newspaper editor (30 years), Politico's story had two major flaws:
1. It didn't name a solid source, which would have established some semblence of accountability, and
2. It didn't have a reliable and identifiable source from the Thompson campaign.
Motives for publishing such a shaky story? Who knows?
The editors may have intended to hurt Thompson, and if that's the case, they need to be stripped of their "journalism" credentials.
Or they may have simply been stupid. They may have rushed to publish out of fear that they would lose their "scoop" if they waited. If that's the case, it's a bush-league mistake and speaks volumes about the decision-makers at the site. (Knowing when not to publish is a hallmark of professional journalism.)
Either way, Politico has undermined its credibility with a lot of people.
Shame on Politico.
coupled with deadlines is a major problem with the full timers, but looking at the game The Politico has played since its inception this year, one can't help but suspect that their motive is to eliminate a true conservative that would kick any lib's ass in the race 4 08.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
www.fred08.com
I was on the phone with the national office last night while watching MSNBC scroll Politico's story. Not only were there several responses from the campaign yesterday, Friends of Fred sent a statement to Politico denying the claims. Politico continued to run their story.
Visit www.StickItToPolitico.com and buy Fred a ticket to the dance and stick it to politico.com for their journalistic malpractice!
www.StickItToPolitico.com - Politco biased against Fred?
Clinton lost Iowa and NH, brought it home in SC. Iowa and NH have less and less meaning each cycle.
The HinzSight Report
Managing Editor
but isn't Iowa a resolutely "moderate" state? Senators Grassle and Harkin seem to point that way. Throw in the evangelicals, and I guess some of us were just whistling in the wind, hoping that Fred would be closer to the Huck.
Recent history seems also to tell us that the winner in Iowa hasn't often become President, or even been nominated.
Might be interesting to have a guy named Huckabee up against a guy named Obama, though.
Side note. I just heard Shepard Smith say that it looks like McCain is "coming back" in Iowa. This is after he finished fourth, slightly behind Thompson, the guy who wasn't supposed to even finish. I wonder if Fred Barnes will notice.
The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.
just reiterated that he thinks Fred is out. He said Fred is broke. It's hard to know what his evidence is.
The one thing about Fred staying in until South Carolina is that he absolutely has to win what would be at least a four way race (5 way if Mitt likes spending more of his own money). It's a long shot considering Huckabee and McCain are going to have wins under their belt. On the other hand, a plurality win by Thompson in SC just might be enough to let him beat Rudy in Florida. So that might just enough to entice Thompson and contributors to go for it.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
www.fred08.com
If there is a brokered convention, couldn't Fred Thompson be our next president even if he lost ALL the primaries?
And to allow for that shouldn't Fred stay in the race even if he doesn't have much money? In that case, Fred doesn't spend money he doesn't have on TV ads, but his name stays on the ballot. If a brokered convention wants him, he's still there.
That could happen. And this year more than any else, it is possible that both the dems and the reps have brokered convention. not likely, but very possible
admit he's a liar and poof...there goes his cred, his career, everything!
If you don't think so, look at Dan Rather. He's still arguing for his Bush/NatGuard story.
Fred Thompson, the man who was not into all this campaigning and lacking the funds to do anything, has come in third in Iowa. Right now he is one percentage point above McCain after getting the media to tout his come-back capabilities. So, truly, congrats to Fred and to the Fred team.
Standing athwart history yelling stop!!!! http://nationalwhig.blogspot.com
back again, Fred back in third.
The HinzSight Report
Managing Editor
Do you know the final "vote," yet?
I guess not, only 86% of the precincts in.
The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.
...if this holds, he will likely leave the race.
Please consider joining the effort for Mike Huckabee, a unique political talent and the only Southern Conservative in the race if Fred decides to hang up the cleats.
South Carolina phone bank plans being constructed.
Thompson supporters, if you are not already helping shoot me an email. Let's start hitting SC very hard.
Gawfather, it was a great win for your guy, but don't continue to throw negative hype like that which is unfounded, the way you have been whining about Romney's ads.
Fred will stay in, at bare minimum because Fred believes the Politico ad hurt him a little.
Sorry but I would rather vote for RP than huck. The only thing "unique" about him is the fact that he has been able to hide his positions and past record behind the shroud of being a good, Christian man. As a Christian and conservative, it makes me want to puke.
I won't vote for any candidate that won't secure our country's borders. Huckabee wants to give anyone here illegally a free pass. That's not what this country is all about...
"Please consider joining the effort for Mike Huckabee, a unique political talent and the only Southern Conservative in the race if Fred decides to hang up the cleats"
If you take away right to life, how is Mike Huckabee a conservative?
"Republicans think every day is the 4th of July, but the democrats think every day is April 15th." -Ronald Reagan
worthwhile commentary to the website, or did you just sign up to spread disinformation for the Huckster?
Opinion and commentary, even outright promotion, are OK. Spreading manure is not.
The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.
Huckabee 35,257 34%
85%
reporting
Romney 25,995 25%
Thompson 13,786 14%
McCain 13,473 13%
Paul 9,992 10%
Giuliani 3,571 4%
Hunter 452 0%
Fat ladies are fighting over the microphone!!!!!!!
www.fred08.com
Redneck Hippie
McCain has done better in more urban areas.
In rural Adair County (my father's home county), which last time I checked was more Methodist than evangelical. :)
With 88% reporting in rural Jefferson County in southeast Iowa, Fred in 2nd place with 14%, McCain 10%.
Joanie
RV Wanna-be
Maddie the Wonderdog
"apackof2, coming to a town near you!"
It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Lamentations 3:22
Joanie
RV Wanna-be
Maddie the Wonderdog
"apackof2, coming to a town near you!"
It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Lamentations 3:22
Can you provide URL?
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/primarie...
AND
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/candidates/#val=1701
Joanie
RV Wanna-be
Maddie the Wonderdog
"apackof2, coming to a town near you!"
It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Lamentations 3:22
The text in the last post should have read:
With 88% reporting in rural O'Brien County in northwest Iowa...
Sorry!
Jefferson County in rural southeast Iowa is the only county with 0% results as of 10:00pm Central Time.
To be continued ...
"Fred Thompson had said in recent days that he needed to come out with a second place finish. His third place has many of his own advisers estimating that he has only days left in the race, because he has little money and little prospect for a comeback.
Many confidants expect he will eventually endose McCain. But the former Tennessee senator has not yet made his intentions clear. In part, his fate will depend on his own appetite for punishment and willingness to invest personal effort in a long-shot candidacy."
I'm done with Politico.com
Couldn't do it cold turkey, but Martin's last comment did it for me.
Thank you PoliticodotcomPATCH.
Jason in NorCal- If you want to volunteer for Fred08 email me.
Fred drops out and endorses a guy he beat. That happens all the time.
I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful 100 percent.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
www.fred08.com
And it is in King's district...wonder how that will play out
“I can stand brute force, but brute reason is quite unbearable. There is something unfair about its use. It is hitting below the intellect.”
Oscar Wilde
that's interesting, I think Ron Paul can still make some noise here, look exactly where each candidate is with the counties reporting, still a lot can happen with so many precints not even partially reporting.
Huckabee says, "West Coast is not America?"
Then where do I live?
Jason in NorCal- If you want to volunteer for Fred08 email me.
He is trying to make it seem liek original story was true and now spouting that Fred is done.
Fred ain't done and this ain't over.
"We have Huckabee in 1st, Romney in 2nd and what a surprise McCain is."
Oy.
Jason in NorCal- If you want to volunteer for Fred08 email me.
I feel like it's 1980 again, but this time Carter beats Reagan.
I'm an evangelical Christian -- and so was Jimmah.
of the Breck Girl of Fox News, as I remember it.
There does seem to be an agenda.
The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.
...and stop Huck there dead in his tracks.
“.....women and minorities hardest hit”
and probably slams SC hard.
Fred supporters, please continue to donate. He needs another big bus tour.
Jason in NorCal- If you want to volunteer for Fred08 email me.
There are some counties not yet reporting, and I was told 3 of them are King's District.
We bought some time, and this will allow Fred to move on and if he wants to fight, he can win.
Even if he beats McCain, it will be only by a few hundred votes... and McCain did not press Iowa like Thompson did.
Doesn't that give Fred-Heads pause?
Fred presses Iowa with full force... and he places third or fourth.
Again McCain is in third with no real effort in the state.
That is a problem for Thompson.
Which he will not be. Worthy of note, I am a McCain fan, McCain involved in this country's government will always be a good thing.
But Fred can do well in the South.
Jason in NorCal- If you want to volunteer for Fred08 email me.
that would have given pause.
Mind you, we expect that in New Hampshire given that Fred isn't campaigning there. No pause given until after South Carolina!
So "we have to finish a solid 3rd" has now morphed into "we have to finish ahead of Dr. 911-troofer". Swell - it's Gramm '96 all over again - ugh.
Whatever gets you though the night, though.
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Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock.
Because he finished much closer to 2nd place than I would have expected. Solid third is determined by distance to 2nd place, not distance to 4th place, in my book anyway.
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Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
He was 12% off of 2nd? He effectively tied with McCain who spits in Iowas face and only 3% ahead of HWSNBN.
What would it have taken to be a "weak 3rd."
* PRIESTCRAFT is thus defined: “The stratagem and frauds of priests; fraud or imposition in religious concerns. Management of selfish and ambitious priests to gain wealth and power, or to impose upon the credulity of others.”
If Romney had got the 29-31% 2nd place that I was expecting, I'd figure 3rd place would have to be easily 17-18 points behind that...
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Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
It's about momentum. Thats the valuable thing your guy gets from Iowa... not the handful of delegates.
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Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
I know our caucus poll is totally non-binding. We elect delegates to the local convention, that convention elects to the CD convention, that convention elects to the state convention, then that convention elects delegates to the national convention. The ones that make it to that far are still free to support whoever they want, though if they went back on who they promised to back I'm sure there would be plenty of hard feelings.
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Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
I don't agree that this is a "strong third" but I appreciate you answering the question without an insult.
* PRIESTCRAFT is thus defined: “The stratagem and frauds of priests; fraud or imposition in religious concerns. Management of selfish and ambitious priests to gain wealth and power, or to impose upon the credulity of others.”
Romney nearly doubled-up Thompson's total and he only finished 3-ticks ahead of RP.
I mean, if he can spin the expectations good for him - but I'm pretty sure this was not what Fred had in mind when he said he was looking for "a solid 3rd".
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Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock.
Fred is fighting to take votes from Romney and Huckabee. McCain gets votes from people not voting for Rudy. It would have been news if McCain had not gotten double digits. His finish isn't surprising, and not a problem for Fred.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
www.fred08.com
Guns don't kill people, abortions kill people.
Rush nailed it at the end, and tipped his hand.
The Democrats want Pastor HuckaFraud in the worst kind of way to gain the nomination. If Pastor HuckaFraud is nominated and then defeated soundly, the social conservative movement is defeated for a very long time.
Rush tipped his hand a bit about backing someone who is consistent, ether a tip to Fred or an acceptance of McCain...FredBots will read it one way, MaCainiacs like me another.
Oh, one other thing, the "feud", it lives and Rush called the good Pastor on his bulls*** that he has been spewing on why there has not been a conversation and why HuckaFraud will not call into his show and make peace.
______________________________________
Proud member of the Barry Goldwater wing of the party !
just like he has the past two weeks. The money will come in. But he as to stick with it just like he is doing now. If he was not effective thus far he would not be receiving the negitive press he has. The more FDT's name is out there the more people will turn to him.
We have a debate to get ready for and IA is behind us.
"I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way."
John Paul Jones (letter to M. Le Ray de Chaumont,16 Nov.1778)
You are exactly right, he needs to shake a lot of hands and give a lot of great speeches.
Jason in NorCal- If you want to volunteer for Fred08 email me.
Getting Romney knocked down tonight will help Fred, and when Romney drops, his supporters will go to Fred.
Of all the folks mad at McAmnesty for the back door "Comprehensive Immigration" BS, it was folks like you will find in SC.
Fred can win SC, and kill two birds with one stone.
Believe it!!!
The South cannot be bough either. I think SC and other southern states will see that Iowa did not buy into him despite the endless $$$. I don't know that they will all go to Fred, but we'll see.
Jason in NorCal- If you want to volunteer for Fred08 email me.
Fred had the plus of over 2 weeks of touring Iowa. Some dildo decided to plant a rumor he was poised to quit if he didn't do well. How many delegates the dirty trick cost is anybody's guess. The "story" was pushed very hard on all outlets.
FredHeads are pretty charged up because Fred was said to be "done" by the pinhead pundits. Third in Iowa is damn good in my book. They're drinking Huckabee Kool-Aid in 5-quart tankards over there. As far as McCain goes, he's been a much more prominent figure both nationally and statewide in Iowa for a long, long time--could have been a plus along with the DMR endorsement. Nurse Rached probably voted Republican!
www.fred08.com
Redneck Hippie
With 100% reporting in Dickinson County, McCain gets 96 more votes than Fred.
With 100% reporting in Ringgold County, Fred finished 7% ahead of McCain (12 vote advantage).
Jason in NorCal- If you want to volunteer for Fred08 email me.
With 100% reporting in Jefferson County, Fred outpolled McCain by 42 votes.
The real news here is that Ron Paul won Jefferson County!
if you know that Fairfield (county seat) is the home of the Maharishi School of Management (transplanted kooky transcendental meditators). Otherwise, the county has been strongly Republican for decades.
Fred is 10 votes ahead of McCain.
Should be enough for 3rd place.
Congratulations, Senator Thompson!
How many votes did this lousy story cost Fred? I think he did exceptionally well considering the scam that Politico was running (either intentionally or unintentionally). Factor in Romney's big disappointment and I'm finally getting on board the Fred train.
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Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
I say, I envision others will see the light in the days ahead. There's just too much *%&! going on for any real Fred supporter to get discouraged. The dirty trick backlash is something the pinheads do not consider. People on Fred08 are mad and donating. Can't blame em either.
www.fred08.com
Redneck Hippie
Jason in NorCal- If you want to volunteer for Fred08 email me.
Its going to become a rally cry, once this is all officially debunked in the media, Red State Fred supporters need to hit Politico and Jonathan Martin hard. This is ludicrous, he did the same to Guiliani.
Jason in NorCal- If you want to volunteer for Fred08 email me.
check it out, good night my great Red State Fred friends.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/thompson-stays.html
Jason in NorCal- If you want to volunteer for Fred08 email me.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/thompson-stays.html
ABC News’ Christine Byun reports: Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson says he is staying in the race.
“It’s pretty clear we’re going to have a ticket to the next dance,” Thompson said as the audience cheered.
He thanked his wife, Jeri, who he called his “number one dance partner,” and Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, for his support.
Shortly before midnight, eastern time, Thompson arrived downtown to a hotel ballroom to be with volunteers and supporters. He and his staff watched poll results and deliberated from his West Des Moines hotel before coming to make his announcement.
www.fred08.com
Redneck Hippie
This is great news!!
Mr. Thompson made an unscheduled, though excellent, appearance, at the Biennial Convention of the College Republicans this past summer... We were wondering if he would announce, at that point. He refused to say (but did stick around for awhile, I was pleasantly surprised), for photos and video! [I still need to figure out how to get that stuff out of my cell phone!] Some people thought therefore, that he may not enter... and then, even more time passed.
But he did enter the race, and I am glad that he did. I also appreciate his stand for conservative principles, and his criticism of Giuliani's background in the Democrat Party, and the liberal movement.
Congratulations to Mr. Thompson for his strong showing today... Best of luck to him in the rest of the races!
... and wrong on two things. You're wrong that Thompson needs to portray himself as the "conservative alternative" to McCain. Thompson will face a vigorous three-way race between himself, John McCain, AND Mike Huckabee, who is currently leading in South Carolina. [1] You're also wrong to count on Romney running negative ads against McCain in South Carolina. If Romney finishes second in New Hampshire he'll probably pack up and move on to Michigan, which will for all intents and purposes become his last stand as a serious candidate. So don't expect Romney to do Fred any favors.
On the other hand, you are right that Fred is far from finished in this race. He and McCain can reasonably claim a moral victory from their strong performances in Iowa. That's not as good as that other kind of victory, but it will do for now. You are also right about that silly story about Thompson dropping out of the race. Total rot. Everybody should have seen through it.
[1] http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/south_carolina-pr...
Hang all traitors and secessionists! Hang them high!
- Me
I think a lot of people are over-analyzing why Huckabee "won." The plain truth, I think, is that the evangelicals turned out to block the Mormon. It's that simple. And when Romney is no longer seen as a contender, reason will return and "Conservatives" will rush to Fred's side.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
www.fred08.com
and the Politico's attempt to sabotage a campaign was despicable--and unsuccessful.
The ire over the idea that Fred would have dropped out if he finished poorly is a bit over blown.
Fred has little to no money. Had he finished poorly - in single digits or a clear 4th place finish - he would have been done and likely unable to raise enough money to realistically keep on going. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out.
What his razor thin 3rd place finish allows him to do is survive to South Carolina. He is still barely hanging on though.
His best chance is for everyone to get a cold splash of water on their faces and realize that Huckabee or McCain could very well be the next nominee, that Romney is finished, and that therefore Fred has to be the guy to rally around in South Carolina to stop Huck and McCain. If that happens, he has a chance to carry some momentum into Florida, catch fire, and change the race. So far, that still seems like a big if.
"The ire over the idea that Fred would have dropped out if he finished poorly is a bit over blown."
That isn't what the story was. The story out there, alluded to in politico and then "quoted" from there in the wider media was that Fred was already making plans to drop out and endorse McCain.
This is bad news for McCain and very good news for Huckabee whose best chance in SC is a multi-candidate race. It's pretty good news for Rudy, who would benefit from a Huckabee victory in SC since it would leave Fred dead and McCain mortally wounded. However if Fred wins in SC, then look out Mega Tuesday.
Because that is where adverbs go...
“Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the Democrats believe every day is April 15.”
-Ronald Reagan
Fred is in NH today. This is not a good strategy. It is a huge waste of his time and money to even travel to NH for one day. He's probably not even going to beat Ron Paul. He needs to get down here to SC as fast as he possibly can and do some fundraisers, give a lot of speeches, and start running a lot of ads (which he needs the fundraisers to pay for). If McCain wins NH, Romney wins Michigan, we could very well see a Giuliani win in Nevada and a Thompson win in SC. Imagine that: 5 different winners in the first 5 states. I'm not sure who that would help, but I'm pretty sure it would make for a very interesting convention.
I keep reading all these comments, for months now, about Fred Dalton Thompson and the coming surge of his campaign. For me, this is the biggest and most drastic divorce from reality among the Right over the past year and into this one.
When will many of you wake up and see that Fred has been on life support since Leno? All the internet buzz in the world will not mask the fact that Fred has been a thoroughly uninspiring candidate who has not even remotely shown he's willing to fight long and hard for this nomination.
He has no money, no clear lead in any significant state (he's polling well in South Carolina I hear), and no real MESSAGE.
Did you folks miss this one? Fred's lack of message? I respect Fred as a politician and man, and I agree fundamentally with his view point. But he has not clearly stated WHY he is running for POTUS, and what exactly he plans to do if he wins.
Surely, I will now be steered right? Someone might well respond with a litany of policy proposals, statements, directions for the future?
One can only dilute themselves for so long. Fred has been dead in the water for some time. Even if he does somehow get the nomination, he will be dismantled in the general election faster than a 2 dollar pinata.
It's time to open your eyes.
_______________________________________________
History is all that will help us with the future
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
www.fred08.com
That they aren't gonna fall for the Huck and jive there. I got my fingers crossed.
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Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
Tennessee volunteers arm wrestle every evangelical in the state of South Carolina>
www.fred08.com
Redneck Hippie
We opened our eyes. The trouble isn't supporters who aren't paying attention. Why can't Romney supporters open up their eyes, hmmmmmmm?
Two debates this weekend. Tune in. One is to be round table without Dr. No.
www.fred08.com
Redneck Hippie
your preferred candidate's policy papers side by side with FDT's policy papers.
http://www.fred08.com/Principles/PrinciplesSummary.aspx
Show me any candidate that has released anything even close to what FDT has released to date spelling out exactly what his plan is.
Here's Fred on defense: http://www.fred08.com/virtual/defenseplan.aspx
Show me one guy that has articulated anything like it.
You can criticize Thompson for lackadaisical campaigning. Criticizing him for not having a message is... well, frankly uninformed.
The one thing Fred is great at is message.
-TS
"When men fear work or fear righteous war, when women fear motherhood, they tremble on the brink of doom; and well it is that they should vanish from the earth." - Teddy Roosevelt
The last Iowa debate sparked an Iowa surge, yes there was a surge. He raised enormous funds in two days, produced an amazing campaign video, and nearly doubled his voters in two weeks.
Fred will go right to SC after debates. He can do well at the debates and get great free press, trust me, SC will be watching.
Jason in NorCal- If you want to volunteer for Fred08 email me.
It'll be interesting to see if he can follow up on the success of the previous one. He now knows what plays well and what doesn't and which of his policy positions are resonating. Should be interesting, for sure.
The Unofficial RedState FAQ
“You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say. ” - Martin Luther
but he isn't well. He finished third, barely and a distant third at that. He is no better than third in any state I know and fourth nationally. Now, if you can find a winning strategy out of this let me know because I am lost for one.
When the blogosphere turns from real analysis to downright cheerleading, as is clearly happening on Red State, and around much of the blogosphere vis a vis Fred Thompson, it loses credibility. If someone only read the right blogs, they would think that Thompson is dominating. That is a problem because you are not giving any sort of an accurate picture of the situation.
I know you all like Thompson. I like Rudy, however I don't then come on and extol his brilliant fifty state strategy, because it isn't brilliant. If he wins, it will be purely based on luck not great strategy. You Thompson supporters blame everyone but Thompson for what is a lackluster campaign. The truth is that he isn't much of a candidate. he doesn't excite anyone outside the blogosphere, and he isn't charismatic or energetic on the trail. That is the truth. On the blogosphere, Thompson's lackluster performance is the result of some sort of a MSM conspiracy. That is just fantasy and nonsense, and the longe you perpetuate it the more you marginalize this blog and others like it.
Everyone wants their candidate to win. You are no different than anyone else's supporters, however if you are unwilling to stop cheerleading and start analyzing, then you will only marginalize yourselves.
At this point, it is sad for me to say but I don't know who's supporters I find more annoying, Thompson's or Paul's.
I hope at some point I will see better out of his supporters however so far your behavior has lead me to write this
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor
weeks ago had Fred 6th in Iowa.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
www.fred08.com
out to tomorrow. Thats why so many intellectually challenged can do that on TV each night.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
www.fred08.com
Look, every supporter of every candidate is guilty of overdoing things from time to time. So let's agree to bury whatever hatchet, okay?
Further, I can only speak for myself, but I'm not in denial about Fred as a candidate. I gave what I thought was a pretty reasoned analysis on why I think he's our guy in 2008 both on Redstate and on my personal blog. But he's not your classic 21st century candidate -- and that may, indeed, be his fatal flaw.
I just think it goes too far past "analysis" as you say to call Fred not charismatic or energetic. I haven't seen him on the trail -- perhaps you have. But televised appearances have him being himself: a laid back guy of depth and principle. Maybe that doesn't sell in our MTV culture -- in which case, he'll go down in flames. Or maybe it does to enough people so that he sticks around.
I will say that if Fred does stick around, he may end up surprising a whole lot of people, in spite of his weaknesses as a candidate in the YouTube era.
Because at the end of the day, he's got substance. You can criticize him for his campaign, for his style; but he's got the goods when it comes to principles, ideas.
-TS
"When men fear work or fear righteous war, when women fear motherhood, they tremble on the brink of doom; and well it is that they should vanish from the earth." - Teddy Roosevelt
to Japan and Germany on Dec 8, 1941.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
www.fred08.com
Donating more to Fred. From here on I am boycotting The Politico. Absolutely filthy, what they did.
You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you.
This is becoming a painfully awkward spectacle. It's time for the Fred enthusiasts to rejoin reality, to which they seem to have an increasingly tenuous tether. Fred is not going to win South Carolina. Period. He not going to come even close. No way, no how.
He decisively trails Huckabee in the polls, even before an Iowa bounce figures in. Huckabee will most likely win SC. Rest assured, that's not a statement of advocacy or desire, simply an entirely reasonable expectation.
That's life. Move on. My guy won't win either, and while that disappoints me, I'm confident that it won't be the cataclysmic end of the republic, since I've abundant faith in the strength of my nation.
C'mon...put it in perspective. If you were wagering $1000 on Fred's chances as POTUS, really, seriously, would you put your money on Fred? Here are the odds right now. Fred is paying out even below RP at 40 to 1. Nothing like checking odds on which hard money rides for a brisk splash of cold water.
but will you please tell me or give me a link showing Fred Thompson trailing to Mike Huckabee in a poll more recent than 12/18/07 for the state of South Carolina? RealClearPolitics doesn't have one.
Texas Proud and Texas Loud
...more recent than that. But c'mon, is there seriously any reason to believe that Fred has rocketed from a very distant third to eclipse the man of the hour, who's going to benefit further from media saturation and momentum associated with his Iowa win? That's just not a reasonable expectation.
Fred's odds are way below those of Al Gore, who's not running. In a rational world, that's a decisive indicator...
trails Fred now, as we speak, in delegates after trailing Fred in a real poll last night.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
www.fred08.com
Regardless of what the next poll says in SC when it comes out, once the debates in NH are over, Fred is in SC until the primary, doing much of the same as in Iowa. He will also be able to fundraise there as well.
Huckabee is going to fight in NH and Michigan, and good for him for having that opportunity, but no Republican nominee has won without SC. Sure, Huck could win, but Fred is going to live there until the primary while Romney continues to rip McCain, Huckabee and apparantly Guiliani in NH. Huckabee's record is going to be over exposed now, who knows, maybe that is good for him.
In the meantime, Fred uses the same style that doubled his numbers in two weeks in Iowa.
A Fred 08 state director said that most are saying the Politico hit job cost Fred at least 2 points. If the idea is that Fred was going to endorse McCain was considered, and according to Iowa ground workers it did, that's a 4 point swing.
15-11 in favor of Fred? I know, what if... but the hit job hurt him, and everyone knows it. 15 may not be stellar compared to Romney and Huck, but after being in 6th place 2.5 weeks ago near 5 or 6 in the polls, that's a nice turnaround, among many people who had written him off.
That has not happened in SC and the move to SC for Fred 08 will happen immediately.
Jason in NorCal- If you want to volunteer for Fred08 email me.
I am so glad you haven't lost hope....Keep truckingalong...it may be a long hard race, but in the end, the tortoise always beats the hare....
Texas Proud and Texas Loud
We had some awesome things going on here in NorCal today. More volunteers contacting us today.
I am in this as long as I need to be.
"I will never apologize for being an American..." or a loyal Fred Thompson supporter.
Volunteer for Fred- Email me- Donate below!
the MIGHTY NARGIN has said so. Wow, your insight is stunning. I guess anyone whose candidate isn't currently first in the polls should just give up now and vote for whoever's first.
Go back to your day job, which I assume isn't political analysis.
The Unofficial RedState FAQ
“You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say. ” - Martin Luther
second term. Hadn't you heard?
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
www.fred08.com
Too bad you can't make much betting against him. I think the smart money was laying their bets on all the long shots early in 2007.
""He not going to come even close. No way, no how.""
Feel free to post an "I told you so entry" when your prediction comes true.
"My guy won't win either"
He won't if either he or his supporters quit.
"It's time for the Fred enthusiasts to rejoin reality"
When enthusiasm and conviction get distracted by perception and negative opinion (not the same as "reality") is when people give up. Hasn't happened yet. I guess you think FDR should have surrendered immediately after Corregidor.
Gotta love The Hulk. All that energy based on pure anger. I expect a Hillary comeback, too.
The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.
has Mark Sanford come out and endorsed any candidates yet? That would be a good thing for someone going into South Carolina.
He hasn't. He's considered one of the top sought-after endorsements.
The Hill has an up-to-date list of the congressional endorsements.
Freedom of Religion not Freedom from Religion