Posted on 01/17/2008 9:32:59 AM PST by Plutarch
Fred Thompson's campaign, left for dead after a lackluster effort in last fall's run-up to Iowa and New Hampshire, is showing some signs of life in South Carolina. On the days of the New Hampshire primary, Thompson headed south and began digging in for what could be his last stand.
Is it paying off? Yes and no. According to the latest Palmetto Poll, conducted by the University of Clemson, Thompson remains in a distant fourth, garnering just 10 percent. John McCain leads the GOP race with 29 percent, Mike Huckabee gets 22 percent and Mitt Romney is third with 13 percent. In the August Palmetto Poll, Thompson led the field with 19 percent.
But while Thompson's poll numbers might not be soaring, his rhetoric has gotten sharper over these past ten days. Just yesterday, the former Tennessee senator took aim at each one of those currently ahead of him. Thompson accused Romney of pandering and said his approach to the economy is less-than conservative. "Romney was very effective in Michigan doing what he does best and that is tailoring his message to a particular audience," said Thompson. "He basically - as I could pick up with it - promised that the federal government was going to come in and bail out Michigan when he got elected president. Very conservative notion, don't you think?"
While taking it easier on his longtime friend McCain, Thompson still managed to get in a dig about his support for last year's failed immigration reform bill. "I knew that he was on the wrong track," he said of McCain. "And the American people said so and they rejected that bill." Thompson then took aim at Huckabee. "At least McCain's record's been out there for about 20 years...[snip]
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
Go, Fred!
Fred is getting attention of MSM? Wow...gosh...Go Fred go!
Fred is holding in there, and South Carolina could bring his campaign right to the front if he pulls a big win.
I hope some fiscal conservatives in SC wake up and head to the polls before its too late.
I’d like him to win, but he better go go soon before he is gone gone.
Fred needs to get more than 10% and a 4th place finish in S.C. and to do so he is going to have to attack McCain with a scorched earth message.
If not, 10 and 4th place may leave the last viable GOP Conservative out of the race.
See BS is after Fred even more blatantly than Fox News Channel. Even ZOGBY has Fred AHEAD OF ROMNEY.
All he needs is VOTES in SOUTH CAROLINA.
The money will follow. He raised 1.1 million ONLINE ONLY after a good debate performance.
Exactly. This hands off on McQueeg has me worried. He needs funding. I don’t think finishing 4th is going to get it. He will probably pass Mitt for 3rd but it will be a distant third. He needs to finish a lot higher to tap into the money sources.
ARG has Fred at 13% and McCain at 33%.
Fixed.
Yup. Fred has pulled ahead of Romney in Zobgy’s NATIONAL and South Carolina polls.
if thompson doesnt win or come in a strong 2nd in sc, hes dropping out.
Who is the Whig candidate?
More South Carolinians Join Voters Flipping votes to Fred Thompson
Contact: Joshua Gross, www.Fred08.com, 803-251-3526
COLUMBIA, S.C., Jan. 17 /Standard Newswire/ -- South Carolinians keep flipping for Fred Thompson! The crowds are packed and the enthusiasm is palatable. Fred's momentum is clear and significant.
The proof?
Rising poll numbers, strong and consistent fundraising numbers, his 11-day bus tour through South Carolina, and above all else: the unmistakable support from new supporters.
Watch the new videos of enthusiastic and confident voters flipping for Fred:
Beth Atwater, relative of the late Lee Atwater, used to support Gov. Romney. But after "researching the issues, Fred Thompson was the conservative on all the issues. So I will be supporting him..."
http://fredfile.fred08.com/blog/2008/flip-for-fred-beth-atwater-lexington.
Jeannie used to support Sen. McCain because "I didn't think I had a real choice." She flipped to Fred because "he said what I think the country needs to hear. He spoke honestly and forthrightly."
http://fredfile.fred08.com/blog/2008/flip-for-fred-jeannie-in-rock-hill/.
Riley used to be a Gov. Romney supporter, but she flipped to Fred because "Fred Thompson's consistency in his voting record really speaks to me"
http://fredfile.fred08.com/blog/2008/flip-for-fred-riley-in-columbia/.
Andrew enthusiastically flipped to Fred from Cong. Ron Paul because "He believes in the morals which I want to raise my family and children in.
http://fredfile.fred08.com/blog/2008/flip-for-fred-andrew-in-york-sc/.
Karen Erickson flipped to Fred from Gov. Romney because of Fred's strong policies. Simply put: "He's the best candidate for healthcare reform."
http://fredfile.fred08.com/blog/2008/flip-for-fred-karen-erickson-in-columbia/.
To view more videos of people "Flipping for Fred", visit our website at http://www.fred08.com/Virtual/flip.aspx,
Mitt.
I wonder how much of the poll data is from the days before the push in SC. This poll was taken over the course of a week.
only slightly more than half the voters had a “good idea” about whom they were going to support on election day. Nearly 40 percent of the voters were unsure about who would receive their support.
That is good news.
Final Zogby poll in NH had McCain beating Romney by 1. Romney beat McCain by 9.
So much for Zogby.
Fred is going to have to do more than flip some voters, he will have to go right after McCain if he is to win the nomination or at least save the party from a McCain nomination.
Press on in SC and on to Florida.
Right-O, and it's leftocrat cheerleader ZOGBY, no less.
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