Redstate

...there's no real need for any of the GOP candidates to drop just quite yet.

The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC. I've been usurped!

The tone of the posts here at the end of the night last night was a little depressing.

If he can't draw the voters in sufficient quantities in South Carolina, then he's never going to, barring two or three total collapses by better-supported opponents.

And you know, every single great accomplishment of Johh McCain over the last seven years? They had to be signed by President Bush to become law, and we've survived him.

I'm not one who buys the theory that "Bush was very nearly too conservative to win," but I do think he's given most all of us half a loaf. And McCain can bring something for those who didn't get half a loaf the first six years under Bush.

So it's time that conservatives who wish to be Republicans did the Republican thing and back John McCain. It's time that Fred Thompson backed John McCain, and started giving the man advice on how to mend fences with conservatives.

I think conservatives are better off with McCain/Sanford or McCain/Barbour than risking a brokered nomination that could go even further away from our ideals.

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Having Fred in the race makes the race better. Who else would have told the obnoxious lady in the Iowa debate what she could do with her hand shows? If he stays in he can continue to attack all of the other candidates on the points where they are not conservative enough. Even if he doesn't win, his comments will benefit the race.

and it's not because I am a confirmed FredHead™, I am not. I like Fred, he is far from out of it. For that matter neither is Rudy. There is a long, long way to go between now, Super Tuesday and the Convention, a long way to go. Even the MSM, (gagging as he types that) says the same thing for the enemy, NO CLEAR LEADER in that party either.

McCain may have won, but Huck was right on his rear bumper. With numbers such as he had, it's a good thing. Mitt spent a ton of money there, and had nothing to show for it.

Fred makes it a much better contest, he is a voice of reason to be reckoned with and he keeps the debates honest and intelligent.

The HinzSight Report
Managing Editor

Come on, Erick. I gave you more credit than this. Fred was a distant 3rd in SC, and only a point ahead of Romney because Romney was in Nevada. It's over. Fred is done. I understand your qualms with other candidates, but there's no need to stay with Fred any longer. He's through. He's finished. South Carolina has always been a part of his one state strategy and he lost big time.

And you and I both know he won't get any more financial backing now that he's done so bad. He can't continue. My only fear is that he will betray both of us by backing McCain.

Lets keep the "Anyone but McCain" vote split between three, maybe even four candidates. Brilliant.

I too have nowhere else to go. I cannot in good conscience vote for another "almost there" candidate. I have held my nose so long that it's starting to hurt. When a Dem on Fox news is happy that McCain got the nod last night because she agrees with his immigration policy, well you get the picture. And when a Dem is happy Huck might win because she knows his theology based campaign will get ripped to shreds, again, we lose. I want Fred to win, but he needs to step up. I truly believe SC was Fred's to loose. He needs to do the needful and come out swinging. Fred for President.

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZDYzZTllNDIxMTk0ZGRmNjcxZDNlM2U...

How do we get him to get the picture? Erick?

--roxer

I know that its just his word, but Rudy has pledged several times not to go back to taxpayer-funded abortions.

http://www.lifenews.com/nat3266.html

I am sick of these rumors today that he is only in to help McCain against Huckabee...Huckabee was nobody in the race when Fred got in....I will continue to support Fred until he decides he no longer wants that support....and I hope he continue's to want it.

Freedom of Religion not Freedom from Religion

Fred you're the only voice I have in this race. Keep going if for no other reason than to keep Huckabee out of it!

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Conservatism is about empowering people to do the work, not the government!

Fred had great policy ideas, but it is time to face the truth. He run one of worst campaigns in modern history. His media and presentation skills were awful and his management and fund-raising skills were non-existent. His senate record was hardly assuring either. He was a member in Senate Centrist Coalition and his main achievement in Senate was Campaign Finance Reform. His actual record wrt illegal immigration (according to NumbersUSA) was only "fair" (ie he voted against enforcement bills). Thompson also opposed Reagan in primaries when Reagan run for president.

This time around, Fred refused to go after McCain so it is fair to suspect, that he realized himself that he is not going to win, and he is staying only to help his old friend McCain.

Sure, Fred Thompson can officially hang around, get 3% here and 5% there. Maybe he even gets 17% in some non-contested southern caucus. That may be enough to help McCain to carry the day.

Be prepared for massive Amnesty bill in 2009.

There is still a small chance to derail McAmnesty. In Florida (where 40% have already voted), he is tied with Romney and Guliani.

Take your pick. Winner of Florida (winner takes all 57 delegates) will be the nominee.

His performance so far has been abysmal. South Carolina was supposed to be his state and he was a very distant third.

It doesn't really matter if he drops out or not. He is out.

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I am a Positivist Pastafarian for the alliteration alone.

I respect you a lot, man, but as the days go on, you are just sounding more and more desperate with regards to Thompson. Lord knows he is my first choice, but let's face facts: he done. He couldn't break 20% last night, and he doesn't have a single win or second place finish to his name. How many times now have I heard "Thompson is putting all his chips in Iowa, this is where he is making is stand," or "Thompson's new strategy is 'all or nothing' in SC," Come on, how many of these "last stands" can a guy lose before before he conceeds defeat?

I understand your desperation. Thompson, the most conservative conservative in this whole race, is effectively done, and my second choice isn't doing so hot right now either. A McCain candidacy doesn't make my cup runneth over by a long shot (in large part because I'm not looking forward to refighting the immigration battle over the next 4-8 years). However, at least be honest and title this "My Desperation Post" or "Woe To The Conservatives" and not try to pass it off as sober political judgement. It reflects poorly on this site and makes you look like somewhat less than an adult yourself.

When you can't even get your own base to vote for you in a state where you gave it all you had then it's time to throw your support behind somebody who can beat Clinton Inc.

Sorry, guys, it's time to stop morning for Fred and focus on beating the Clintons.

Soldiers' Angels

that we are not about Fred Thompson, but his message. Fred Dalton Thompson is merely the messenger. It is his message that we are looking for - backed up with a record to prove it. It's called principle. I believe that if that message does not get carried to the White House this time round, it will be lost. With a nation heading ever closer to socialism and more of a European mindset, our chances to divert this from happening are running out. Although they mean well, McCain, Huckabee, Romney, and Guliani are all destined, in some way or another through their policies (they do have a track record) to help get us there. If not stopped, it cannot be reversed. One only need to look at Europe to see that.

I have said several times that our parties are on the edge of blurring together - for the bad. The question then becomes this: Do we still believe in fighting for freedom and liberty, even when the going gets tough? Or do we run with our tails between our legs when the pressure gets too great just to succumb to the status quo? The Democrats want to run from Iraq - are we the same when faced with tough odds? Do Americans run from a fight? Each man and woman will have to answer that question on their own. I am saddened that we as a nation has lost it's nationalism - it is apparent it dies more each year. I will not quit.

--roxer

I'm just wondering if Erick's change of heart comes from his seeing the results of Ben's poll put up last night? I may be way off base here, but after reading Erick's hit piece on Mitt, then looking at Ben's poll seeing Mitt dominating. I suspect that most of those that support Fred, would move to Mitt if Fred drops.
I don't know that Mitt will keep his conservative talk going once elected, but he says he will. Thats better than any of the others, which tell us now that won't.
I have been told that Mitt or his campaign has done some things that are underhanded, and that is the reason that some of the higher ups here at RedState are anti-Mitt, but have seen nothing to prove this.
Fred staying in at this point is doing nothing but drawing attention to conservative principles and taking votes from Mitt.

He'll need our help. He keeps trying to run a principled campaign against a bunch of dirty politicians. Huckabee's campaign slammed him yesterday with a nasty little flyer on abortion while attributing Fred's real record on abortion to Huckabee? I asked that as a question because I haven't seen but one link to that and I can't find that link again. I believe it was someone from the Romney campaign who started the rumor that Fred was McCain's stalking horse in Iowa? I never heard conclusively who did that.

Plus the MSM is against Fred. How do we counteract that stuff? I hate to be pessimistic because as long as Fred's in, I'm in for him but these things are still the reality of it.

http://hillbillypolitics.com

all my cars have his bumper stickers. I wear his hat and drink out of his coffee mug. I have called every single family member and talked always that we have a real conservitive guy in the race. I know there are many others who have been with him heart and soul and as long as there is money in his war chest he owes it to not only fight on but to fight hard.
Remember it was not about Fred but the ideas and principles.

"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)

I've been as big a FredHead as anyone and I'm throwing in the towel. I blogged and gave and had a bumpersticker and the whole thing, but he's just not going to do anything but pull votes from someone better. I'm supporting McCain and here are my reasons why.

Visit The Scratching Post!

I will not vote for McCain in general election. His policy would be similar to Hillary's but republicans would get all the blame. I would rather have Hillary implementing McCain policy and then win Senate and House back. Who knows, in 4 years we might have a conservative candidate.

I can see that Ted Kennedy would be the point man guiding McCain's Supreme Court nominee through. McCain's VP may even be Lieberman.

McCain also truly hates corporations. He is old, mentally unstable candidate who wants to shut down free speech, raise taxes and hand out massive amnesty. Amnesty alone is my reason not to ever vote for McCain.

Fred staying in, forces others to the right to discuss the issues and where we go post-Bush

clearer in the morning! :)

Fred is finished. McCain, Mitt, and Rudy, each have a shot at winning Florida. The man who wins Florida will be the prohibitive favorite to be the nominee. No one has Florida sewn up at this point.

If Fred wants to spend some more money and win his home state (and nothing else) on 2/5, that's his right. But it would be a huge waste of time and resources.

All Thompson does from this point out is take votes from Romney, thereby helping McCain.

Of course, having said that, if McCain has to make some backroom deals in order to win the nomination then I'd rather see a McCain/Thompson ticket then a McCain/Huckabee one (I don't think I'd vote for the latter in the general).

If he wants to help McCain win. I think most here would agree at this point Fred's only strategy in staying in would be to act as spoiler to Mitt. That's fine if you want that, but for those who are hanging on to him because they think he can win when in fact they would be repulsed by a McCain nomination should not be surprised when they wake up and find out they've been used by the Mac. Maybe they want to be used... who really knows.

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But the principles he stands for need to be heard, need to be advocated by someone.

I would love to see a Fred Thompson at these debates with nothing to lose. Holding other candidates' feet to the fire on their positions that aren't conservative.

Fred should stay in whether he can win or not. Winning isn't the point anymore. If we can't win espousing conservatism, we shouldn't win at all. If our country is going to decline, I don't want a faux-Republican to be at the helm.

There is more support then most realize. Fight on for our conservative principles! I for one will not compromise. Living in the Northeast, I have had to hold my nose and vote for RINO's...no more, not this time!!

of comments about McCain only a month or so ago. He's done. He's finished. He can't raise money. Why doesn't he do the right thing and throw his support behind Thompson, stick a fork in him, etc.

We still have ten months to go to the election, and this election cycle has the best chance of producing a brokered convention that we've since Dewey lost to Truman.

Hang in there Fred!

Leave the race BEFORE the voters know about the others RINO records!? Not hardly!

Candidate Research - Know Who You're Voting For ( The Easy Way ) http://tinyurl.com/2sowta

“I believe that conservatives beat liberals only when we challenge their outdated positions, not embrace them. This is not a time for philosophical flexibility, it is a time to stand up for what we believe in,” - Fred Thompson

Fred should run an utterly unconventional campaign. Stop competing in any particular primaries (except maybe LA, TN, or any state that he thinks he can win--that is, come in first). Make it clear so that he doesn't have any more losses.

Focus on giving speeches around the country to favorable audiences, but not connected with any particular state's primary). Make sure the speeches are fantastic, but drop the attacks on Huckabee. Build the "what could have been" sentiment among listeners.

AND if there is a brokered convention, his name will be very much in circulation. Plus with all that speechifying, he'll be in a position to give the speech that will bring down the house--and bring him the nomination.

Oh--and Neil--it doesn't matter if he has few or no delegates. Only that he be the second choice of the overwhelming number (like Lincoln at the 1860 convention).

But if not, he'll be enthusiastically received as a VP nominee.

"People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors." -Edmund Burke

Having considered all of the other options, I think that Fred has to stay in. He has hit his stride in the campaign, but the relentless pushing of his campaign being toast by the MSM and conservative punditry has caused many people to select lesser options. I think this led to the underperformance yesterday.

The other thing going on here is the potential repudiation of conservatism in substance in favor of "personality" based candidacies.

Does everyone realize that South Carolina just voted with ~64% of the Republican base for two candidates that Rush Limbaugh has been ripping into non-stop for 3-4 weeks? What does that say about conservatism right now?

We need SOMETHING to happen that breaks us out of this Media-driven lemming mentality where they can create the reality by shoving perception down our throat.

Here's some facts:

Fred had probably the best conservative ideas, platforms and record of any guy in the race.

Fred got into the race late, and some would say he never really got in the race to win.

Ronnie ran the first time for the nomination against Gerald Ford and lost.

Ford lost that election to a Peanut Farmer from Georgia, in part due to voter fatigue with the Republican brand in my view.

Ronnie took the time Carter was in office to sharpen his message, solidify his support base, speak out on the evils of Democratic leadership and Communism. Look what happened in the Republican party in the lead up to 1980 and the election of 1980, a one term Democratic presidency, thanks to Ronnie.

So what can Fred do now?

Go back home, go back to his gig as an actor, be happy, raise his children, be a good father and an elder statesman for the party. Not a bad life actually and I for one would not begrudge him that life.

or

Go back home and follow the path of Reagan. Write, speak out on the wrong direction that Democrats will be taking our country, work at rebuilding the party as a true "Big Tent".

If you believe that there is a better than 50 percent chance that no Republican can win the White house in 2008 after 8 years of Republican leadership, then a Democratic win may be inevitable, then what? Who will lead the party out of the wilderness after 2008, another member of the Bush family, Newt, Huckabee, Fisk, Tom Delay, who?

My hope for Fred, take some time off and then run again in 2012 with a new Thompson collation and a new Republican brand, just like Ronnie did in 1980. The race is not aways won by the swift, but often by the sure.

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Proud member of the Barry Goldwater wing of the party !

Fred needs to stay in the race. Guliani has -0- going into Florida and Fred is going in better than that!

We need the People's voice to stay in the election!

We all need our honest Tall Man in the race telling everyone how it is!

We all need our strong debator speaking up for us!!

God Bless.

I must disagree.

"Does everyone realize that South Carolina just voted with ~64% of the Republican base for two candidates that Rush Limbaugh has been ripping into non-stop for 3-4 weeks? What does that say about conservatism right now?"

First, the exit polls are notoriously manipulated and often wrong. Second, this is yet another cross-over election allowing non Republicans to jump over the fence and pee in our pool. This renders the results meaningless in my book as to Republican desires, but has a tremendous effect giving positive press to the more lefty candidates thus, depressing incoming money to less moneyed conservative candidates, That is indeed the plan by those who designed it.

If we want to break out of this Media driven lemming vicious circle, and I couldn't agree with you more on this, we need to get our process changed so that in order to vote in a party's primary, you must be a member of it.

How that gets done, I have no idea. Anyone?

Hey, take it easy on the new kid.

who is credibly delivering the conservative message! The pointless debates are only one example of what is happening to our country.

It is too early to stop, and the left must not be given a clear field.

www.fred08.com
Redneck Hippie

I will vote for Fred unless he officially drops out.

"Rudy Giuliani ... wants taxpayer funded abortions."

At least be honest. There are plenty of issues with Rudy but this is not one of them.

My idea of a great ticket is Fred-Mitt. Solid, conservative Fred, with a good businessman and problem solver. Both are motivated by duty to country and values, IMHO.

The weak points of the other leading candidates will become more apparent to Republicans as the primaries continue. Fred still has a chance. It may not be enough to overcome the superior and more established organizations of Mitt or McCain. But enthusiasm and commitment on our part could turn the tide.

We will never win this war to restore the heart and soul that our country was founded on by giving up three weeks into the primaries. Go back and reread a history of Washington's campaigns in the Revolution.

I called people from my list from Fred08.com, and I've donated more money to Fred than I have to any candidate. And I will do more, if Fred makes the right decision and gives me the chance.

I want Fred at the top of the ticket. But, the other front runners could use a good, solid, Southern conservative to balance their ticket, much like Bush-Cheney.

Fred would make as good a VP as Dick Cheney, and probably better. And he would still be able to influence and contribute to foreign policy and value discussions inside the White House.

If we have a brokered convention, Fred need to have enough chips to stay in the game.

Let's not give up now!

What happened to that diary you had posted last night for a few nanoseconds before you deleted it?

It was a direct 180 from this.

Sorry Erick. FDT has nobody to blame but himself. You can slander the rest of the candidates all you want, but it doesn't change the fact that Fred tanked all on his own.

Flip. Flop.

People here need to wake up real fast! I’ve said it before, but it needs to be repeated. Fred was my number two, but he isn’t going to get the nomination. If you still think he has a chance, you are EXTREMELY delusional. There is a term we use in psychology called motivated reasoning. It means you made up your mind to support Fred and now when you hear something good about him you use it to justify your continued support. When you hear something bad about him you get defensive and dismiss it out of hand. People need to get realistic about what is going on. Most conservatives either enthusiastically support Romney or could hold their nose and vote for him. The same is NOT true for Huckabee or McAmnesty. As a veteran I take personal exception to people who used to serve but have since done all that they can to help destrpy America. That’s why I especially can’t stand Kerry or Murtha…and it’s a big reason I can’t stand McCain. Amnesty for illegals puts us on a track to having our nation completely destroyed. I would NEVER vote for someone who supports this. And I’m sickened that there are people here commenting who call themselves conservative excuse away all that McCain has done to damage our nation! If you want to stop Huckabee and McCain (and even more importantly Clinton or Obama) get behind Mitt now. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that liberals like Clinton, Obama, or McCain will be leading our nation and moving it permanently to the left.

That is something I can't live with...

I don't doubt that Thompson was sincere when he entered the race. I supported him in his campaign. But to believe that he still is seeking the presidency is no longer credible.

I am highly sceptical he thought he could do anything more than blunt Huckabee in SC. I think the obvious explanation would be that he stayed in it on behalf of his good friend McCain and the party men who see Huckabee as a disaster. The nature of his campaign was clearly designed to pry away potential Huckabee supporters.

Regardless, the number crunching certainly suggests Fred's campaign had the effect of throwing the race to McCain.

The Huckabee camp has every right to believe "he did his job" on behalf of others, not for the sake of his own campaign for president. If he goes on from this point the cynicism involved in the choice will be rather naked and dishonorable.

Staying in simply to siphon off a portion of the evangelical vote from Huckabee in the deep South in ignoble.

I know politics ain't bean bag - but a campaign for high office can not be based on a lie.

If he wants to influence the direction of the party he should use the microphone, the internet, and the printing press. He should not stay in simply to game the elective process.

Let the man go before his name becomes a by-word in the South.

I don't know, nor would I pretend to, you motivation. But Fred can stay in, drop out or whatever he wants - it doesn't matter because for all practical impact he is already out it and may never have been in.

He can stay in, but much like Paul, Hunter or Kucinich, he is not a candidate who will be taken seriously as a competitor for the nomination. He has shown he does not have the base or the skillset to be competitive in this election.

stay in the race. If had he said that he would continue the fight into Florida then into Super Tuesday, I would not be doubting whether or not I should continue supporting Fred.

When he said that he was going home to think about what comes next, that put his supporters in limbo once again. He put us in limbo when he announced the did not come out campaigning hard.

I think he will drop out and his supporters should go enmasse to Romney to try and stop the Huckster and McCain.

I have no regrets supporting Fred. We did our part to save America from Mike Huckabee...

At least enough of them will stay home in November to give the election to Hillary. She was the winner yesterday, not McCain.

I barely get 3 television stations in clearly. Last thing I had heard about the race was that Thompson was in fourth behind Romney.

I laid in bed all night wondering who do I support if Thompson drops out? My main issue is illegal immigration. I think the economy and national security as well as lowering health costs are all tied to this.

I mentally went over all I could remember about McCain and call it what you wish, but I call his failed plan a paid way to get amnesty. I looked at Huckabee...That just caused nightmares to poke up their head threatening to haunt me....I went to Romney which reminded me of Rick Perry and there were the pesky nightmares....I went to Giuliani....Why did I have to go there, that didn't help.

No one has rallied against the illegal immigration problem so eloquently as Senator Thompson.

I have been praying all day he doesn't drop out. It's been what, 6 states voting? Should he drop out before the other 44 have their say?

Texas Proud and Texas Loud

Conventional wisdom said that the democrat nominee for 1992 would be a sacrificial lamb for GHWB.

Conventional wisdom said that the republicans would pick up a few more seats in congress in 1994, but the power of incumbency would keep the democrats in power.

Conventional wisdom said that the democrats would hold the White House in 2000 because no one was really unhappy after Clinton's term & the republicans had a contentious primary season. Plus, who wanted to see Bush's son win?

Conventional wisdom has been wrong before. It now says that a democrat is sure to win after 8 years of GWB, especially with his low approval ratings. Regardless of the republican nominee choice, there is no guarantee that there will be a democrat victory.

As far as Fred staying in, I believe he should stay in at least through Super Duper Tuesday. Early voting has already begun in many of those states. Fred should be in the debates leading up to SDT.