You guys know it. Each and every one of you know it. Thompson’s big last stand is to be South Carolina and he won’t even attack the front runner there.
There is no escaping this. There is no maneuver available to talk about Romney’s spending — because the subject of the moment is strictly, explicitly and specifically, Thompson. It is HIS failure to try to survive in South Carolina that is the subject of the moment. It is HIS betrayal of his donors who sent money to him that is the subject of the moment.
Much time is spent talking of Thompson’s behavior on FR, except when it is time to face the music and see that he won’t make the effort to take down the leader in the state he MUST have.
Poor Owen.
If you check your calendar, you'll find that Mitt's battle to survive in Michigan is next Tuesday, several days before Fred's battle to survive in South Carolina.
Mitt's day of reckoning comes first.
And since Mitt's day of reckoning approaches so rapidly, why isn't Mitt spending a single penny attacking John McCain, the man who leads in the polls in Michigan?
>> Thompson’s big last stand is to be South Carolina and he won’t even attack the front runner there.
Until yesterday, Huckabee was the frontrunner.
>> There is no maneuver available to talk about Romney’s spending — because the subject of the moment is strictly, explicitly and specifically, Thompson.
I didn’t mention Romney. Romney’s losses in Iowa and NH make him somewhat irrelevant at this time. He could work his way back into relevancy, but, when you have an “early state strategy” ... you need to win an early state.
>> It is HIS failure to try to survive in South Carolina that is the subject of the moment. It is HIS betrayal of his donors who sent money to him that is the subject of the moment.
More melodramatic hyperbole? You’re overstating your case.
Thompson turned in what has been described as a “homerun” debate performance last night. He’s certainly “trying” to win South Carolina.
I don’t get the feeling you’re a Thompson donor anyway ... so what’re you complaining about?
H
South Carolina is not Fred's last stand and he does not have to come in first there. Second behind McCain would work. Second behind Huckabee would work too. Third behind both would be substantially less workable.
You claim that Fred is not trying to survive and that he has betrayed his supporters, but you don't back this up with any specific analysis as to why attacking McCain now helps Fred more in S.C. than Fred's attacking Huck now helps him there.
I suggest you calm down a tad, show more respect for the candidates and your fellow FReepers, and explain rationally how you think this particular game is proceeding.
Much time is spent talking of Willard’s behavior on FR, except when it is time to face the music and see that he won’t make the effort to take down the leader in the state he MUST have: Michigan.
Waxing Napoleonic, Owen?
Sheesh.
>> Thompson’s big last stand is to be South Carolina and he won’t even attack the front runner there.
There are strategic considerations that you’re not taking into account.
If you’re trying to quickly capture votes, you attack the guy who’s voters are in your wheelhouse. Huckabee is popular because of the false belief that he’s conservative ... Thompson’s running as a conservative. Thus, the quickest way to acquire conservative voters is to debunk Huck’s conservatism, and convince true conservatives that he (Thompson) is the real deal.
McCain tends to draw independents, not conservatives. Thompson is running as a conservative, so the likelihood that he’ll quickly undermine McCain’s “independent” hold is low.
H
You have nailed it. Fred is in single digits. And McCain is leading the pack. If Fred takes any votes, it will not be from McCain. He is hurting mostly Huckabee, but also will have an impact on Romney who is being hurt by Huckabee. <?p>