Posted on 01/09/2008 12:05:50 AM PST by Fred
They were voting in New Hampshire, but Fred Thompson was stumping in South Carolina.
The television actor and former Tennessee U.S. senator became the first of the 2008 presidential candidates to arrive here Tuesday, abandoning the nation’s first primary and casting his lot in the Palmetto State.
Tuesday, he opened an 11-day bus tour, campaigning in Greenville, Lexington, Camden and Columbia. Political analysts think Thompson might need to win the Jan. 19 GOP presidential primary to keep his campaign viable.
“This is his kinda state,” said Yusef Hameen, 54, of Camden, who wandered out of his Broad Street clothing store to see the commotion caused by Thompson’s afternoon arrival. “That’s why he’s here early. He’s a Southerner, so he got here ahead of the rest, which tells me he thinks it’s worth it.”
But Hameen confessed he doesn’t plan to vote for Thompson, which probably is another reason the former “Law & Order” star is here so early. “I know him more as an actor,” Hameen said.
About 40 or so people gathered around variously to see Thompson, who shook hands, posed for pictures and smiled a lot. He strolled into a couple of shops and greeted folks, then boarded his bus again.
“Hey, buddy! It’s good to see you,” Thompson said to one bystander. “I didn’t expect a crowd.”
Brenda Moseley of Dalzell and Judith Henderson of Sumter also were among the curious who walked up to see Thompson. But are they going to vote for him?
“I’m undecided,” Henderson said.
“Don’t know yet,” Moseley said.
Henderson said she likes U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona.
“I’m on the religious right, and I’m still looking. We’re looking for a God-fearing candidate.”
The bad news for Thompson, who did not take media questions in Camden, is the latest Rasmussen poll out Tuesday showed him in fourth place in South Carolina, with 11 percent of the vote, down from being tied for the lead here among Republicans as recently as November.
That didn’t faze Brian Wieneke of Camden, who said he “lucked up” on Thompson’s visit while picking up his children from school.
“We saw your bus and freaked out,” he told Thompson.
Wieneke, who had his daughters Ashleigh, 10, and Briana, 13, along, said he is a native of Brentwood, Tenn., where Thompson was his U.S. senator.
“It’s an uphill thing for him in South Carolina,” Wieneke said. “But he absolutely is my man. He has got to get out and meet people and get his message out there.”
The article makes it sound like Fred campaigned in NH but bailed out. I thought Fred ignored NH except for the debates that were held there.
Go Fred!
I sure wish Rush would come out and endorse Fred...and have him on every day until the SC primary....he needs to do well there.
I worry that Fred will walk and then endorse Crazy John.
Regards
You are correct, sir. This rag takes comments on their articles, consider expressing your self to ole Burns....
“I’m on the religious right, and I’m still looking. We’re looking for a God-fearing candidate.”
She goes looking for a "God-fearing candidate" and comes up with John McCain. Right. Why even bother?
And for the little liberal suck-hole who wrote the article? Next time interview a man with the name of Smith or Brown.
Burns is pissed because Fred stopped his drive by questioning.
Fred in Camden, SC
FRED VETS, SIGN UP TODAY AT:
That’s a Huckabee-like statement. I would call it Huckabee-style vitriol.
A swipe at Thompson disguised as praise.
Fred wrote off NH weeks ago.
LLS
Coming off his impressive 1% of the total New Hampshire vote, Fred is no doubt counting on his momentum to carry him in South Carolina. </sarcasm>
Your sarcasms don’t show your bright intelligence and accurate analysis.
You are probably on the same level than your lib-candidate preferring poor sarcasm since you have no substantial arguments.
Thanks to make it so obvious
More like from day 1. He knew better than to waste his time on a state with practically no delegates, a peculiar superiority complex, and an open primary that guarantees that no real conservative would do well, let alone win.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.