Thompson: "I Need to Come in Second"

CBS News ^ | Dec. 30, 2007 | John Bentley

[ImpBill]

Only time the jaw juts out is when the dentures aren't in and the swagger has been out of my step for quite some time.

You know nothing, absolutely nothing about me and my family so take your cheap shots somewhere else.

As I said, your vote is yours to cast for whatever reason you decide. If it makes you feel superior to castigate me for my reason on who and what to vote for or not, go right ahead. Obviously, we feel different about issues of principle and pragmatism.

And again, my vote, like yours is mine to cast or not, as only I can and will decide.

Enjoy your New Year and God Bless you and yours.

[Ingtar]

I’m sure my family will forgive me, they feel the same way. We’re tired of voting for the lesser of two evils and watching the evil gap narrow.

[Kevmo]

But the odds are he will be out the race by the time they count the votes in New Hampshire.
***If you feel that’s true, then the dropout contract for Thompson is a bargain on Intrade at 20% likelihood.

DROPOUT.JAN08.(F)THOMPSON
Fred Thompson to drop out of 2008 Presidential race on/before 31 Jan 2008 M 10.0 - 20.0 60 0

[Brilliant]

He needs to come in second because he’s running for VP.

[ejonesie22]

Fred’s entire political career has been based on taking a gamble, a different tact than others. It has worked before, no need to believe it won’t work again. Just because he does not fit the standard issue cookie cutter candidate does not mean it won’t work and work quit well.

[skeeter]

Well said.

I'm about there m'self.

[Brilliant]

They deserted Harris because they knew she had no chance of winning.

[Swordfished]

Thompson supporters have been telling us Thompson will cruise to win in Iowa powered by his recent surge...guess Thompson’s didn’t get that memo.

[ellery]

I will say NO to Romney in the General Election, too, if he gets the nomination...and there is a credible Conservative alternative on enough state ballots. No amount of rationalizing it later can make me come around to support a RINO this time out of fear of the Lib Dem. Will you join me?

Yes, I decided several weeks ago that I couldn't vote for Romney even in the general. All the word parsing around the MLK claim was the very last straw for me. Since then, his politically correct statements that Pakinstanis are victims, not terrorists have just solidified my conviction (it stunk of "Islam is the religion of peace" rhetoric).

I wouldn't sit it out, though. I would go to the polls and vote for GOP congress critters, and will lodge a third-party protest vote for president.

We'll see -- this whole discussion might be moot. So far the guy hasn't been able to convince even 1 in 3 Iowans, despite running basically unopposed for months and outspending other candidates 20-1. Pretty weak.

[NittanyLion]

Stating a required result DEVASTATES fund raising. It just destroys it. Donors have heard the sounds of a desperate candidate before. They know what it sounds like. When someone is talking about it being a major accomplishment to come in SECOND, not first but SECOND, those are not the words of a candidate committed to victory.

Not sure how this is any different than Rudy investing little in an Iowa showing. I think you're giving the voters way too little credit; people are sophisticated enough to understand that Thompson has a better chance of exploiting future opportunities.

[NittanyLion]

Good commentary...thanks for posting.

[BfloGuy]

Based on this and an earlier quote that he doesn't really want the job methinks he is getting ready to bail.

Which network do you work for? You've sure got the half-truth thing down.

[County Agent Hank Kimball]

?? Who on earth said that. I think you’re making it up.

I’ll be very, very happy with a 3rd place finish. ECSTATIC with a 2nd place.

Hank

[County Agent Hank Kimball]

" No amount of rationalizing it later can make me come around to support a RINO this time out of fear of the Lib Dem."

-----

Nope. I will vote for Satan himself over Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, or Barrack Hussein Obama.

Hank

[Rb ver. 2.0]

"And again, my vote, like yours is mine to cast or not, as only I can and will decide."

That needs to be shouted from the the message board roof tops. I'm disgusted with the ignorance of people who think others should be obligated to vote for their concept of leadership.

[festus]

The fact that Freds favorables are far and away better than any of the others ( in the mid 70’s if I recall ) suggests which way those 50% will break.

[Hawthorn]

> How can a staff of any skills at all allow something like this? <

Maybe they’re afraid to cross Jeri?

[festus]

Do you recall what paper ?

[RachelFaith]

Well... on the street, here in Iowa.... there is NO SIGN of Fred or any support. His 10% is Name ID only and I’d not be surprised to see him place 5th or 6th and be statistically tied for last place. He just doesn’t have ANY game on the ground where it matters.

[Yaelle]

Fred doesn't need to be more careful with his words. He's already given the finger to the MSM today by saying that they commit "journalistic malpractice" with his words. He wants to come in second in Iowa and I believe he just might do that.

If every Iowa Republican saw his video today and watched the entire thing, Fred Thompson would win Iowa. Check it out. It's a MUST SEE, all the way to the end. There's your next President, right there.