Fred Out of Thursday's Debate; Doesn't Plan on Endorsing

National Review Campaign Spot Blog ^ | 1/22/08 | Jim Geraghty

[Callahan]

I spoke to one of my Thompson sources.

He's still with his ailing mother. "He's just being a good son."

He has not spoken to any other campaign or any other candidates, nor does he intend to at this time.

He will not endorse, I am told by this source close to Thompson.

I am also told, "he has no interest in a vice presidency or a cabinet position." At an "appropriate time" he will outline his plans for the near future.

This source believes that the race has demonstrated that whatever happens from here on out, the GOP has to stand for consistent conservative policies across the board.

At one point, I asked this source if the attitude was, 'if you can't be Reagan, be Goldwater,' and the source responded, "exactly."

If I were a betting man, I would bet on him departing the race in the not-too-distant future.

[Callahan]

Well at least he's not endorsing his Senate pal McCain.

[longtermmemmory]

family comes first.

notice how he is keeping family private in contrast to others who use it like any other resume padder.

[flat]

COME ON FREDDY HELP YOUR COUNTRY.....ENDORSE MITT...LOOK WHAT ANNIE SAYS ABOUT HIM...

“One clue that Romney is our strongest candidate is the fact that Democrats keep viciously attacking him while expressing their deep respect for Mike Huckabee and John McCain.

a. coulter jan 16, 2008
http://anncoulter.com/

FROM THE MOUTH OF THE SMART AND SASSY AND BEAUTIFUL CONSERVATIVE HEROINE ANNIE COULTER.......

ANYTHING MORE NEED TO BE SAID? You have your marching orders .....get out there and stump FOR MITT.

Oh and did i mention....RUSH BACKS HIM TOO....YOU GOT YOURSELF A TWOFER. See you on the campaign trail!

[chaos_5]

First Duncan, now Fred....

The only one left that I can support is Mitt, and I would do so halfheartedly.

[Jedidah]

If you’re that hyper in person, do your candidate a favor and don’t go out in public.

[rhombus]

Pass the popcorn... this should be a good thread.

[maxter]

You can tell a lot about a man who chooses to be with his ailing mother. This is a man worth standing up for. Have you noticed there is no news coverage on what he is doing, just news that he may no longer be in the race. I suspect the subject is taboo since they don’t want any kind of sympathy surge for Fred.

[papasmurf]

The DUmmies are already planning on tearing Myth apart at the seams and serving his entrails at their Inauguration banquet.

You think this guy is so squeeky clean? Wait until his true business record comes out in DUmmy format. [HINT] A claim of 100,000 jobs lost due to Bain’s takeovers.

Oh, yeah, I will rejoice in seeing this pathological liar having his “six” handed to him.

[John Valentine]

This source believes that the race has demonstrated that whatever happens from here on out, the GOP has to stand for consistent conservative policies across the board.

Pure pablum. I have seen nothing of the kind. McCain is still pandering to global warming, Huckabee still thinks that Federal Power ought to be used to regulate the bewhoopus out of those who don't think like him, Rudy is still a cross-dresser, and Romney is still trying to make up his mind whether to raise or lower his hand.

[seekthetruth]

I get tired of believing stuff from “un-named sources”. Will wait for Fred’s announcement which is to be made at an “appropriate time”. I think that appropriate time would be this evening during prime time in front of all the MSM with a great speach and an “in it for the long haul” statement!

[gbunch]

ENDORSE MITT...LOOK WHAT ANNIE SAYS ABOUT HIM...

Better yet, Fred: STAY IN AND DEFEAT THE FLIP-FLOPPER and the rest of the RINOs!

Why the h*ll would Fred do ANYTHING that Ann Coulter wishes, given her utter contempt for the man? Ann's right on many things, but WAY off base with this election, along with the entire MSM.

If FDT is not the nominee, Romney is perhaps the highest-floating turd in the bowl, but nothing more. I'd give him a 50/50 shot at winning in the general, and any of the other "floaters" even less.

[John Valentine]

This source believes that the race has demonstrated that whatever happens from here on out, the GOP has to stand for consistent conservative policies across the board.

Pure pablum. I have seen nothing of the kind. McCain is still pandering to global warming, Huckabee still thinks that Federal Power ought to be used to regulate the bewhoopus out of those who don't think like him, Rudy is still a cross-dresser, and Romney is still trying to make up his mind whether to raise or lower his hand.

Fred, we need you!

[Nonstatist]

He will not endorse

Good move, good guy.

[NYC Republican]

Really? Unless her death is imminent (I haven't seen any story to that effect), spending time with your 90 year old mother, at the expense of missing the debates, stirring up all sorts of rumors, throwing in the towel, and turning his backs on conservatives... to me, it's not really a good judgement call. Just my opinion... I would have thought the cause was much bigger than that...

Flame away.

[Sybeck1]

A thumb in the eye to those you were spouting that “stalking horse” tripe!

[rhombus]

Now you’re just fantasizing. There’s a nomination to think about.

[NYC Republican]

Wow, candidates are always honest about their intent before dropping out... Get real, I still believe he will support McCain.

[MrB]

Seriously, who else in the lineup COULD he endorse? No one else comes close to conservative principles.

[maxter]

I do not think he is leaving the race. He is still in it.

[jslade]

The only one left that I can support is Mitt, and I would do so halfheartedly.

I'm with you. We need an executive/businessman as POTUS.

[Captain Kirk]

We need an executive/businessman as POTUS.

Uh huh. Does that mean that if Mitt doesn't get it, you intend to vote for Michael Bloomberg?

[RockinRight]

Is this a de facto drop out?

[Invincibly Ignorant]

Fred. Go ahead and make it official. The people here on FR need to get on with their lives. You have zero shot now. It was fun while it lasted. I really wanted you to win. I’ve moved on but I guess you need to club these other people in the head before they can see the forrest.

[1Old Pro]

Well at least he's not endorsing his Senate pal McCain.

Thankfully, I would hate to lose the respect I have for Fred.

[papasmurf]

I had also posted this, but,I saw where yours is 2 minutes, 20 seconds older than mine, so I asked that mine be pulled. :)

[papasmurf]

No. It is still only heresay, three times removed. FRed has gone dark.

[Fred]

HUCK OFF!!!

[Politicalmom]

PING!!

Check out the latest from the Mittocrits before throwing your lot in with them:

Mitt Ping: Mail to Thompson Campaign

From americanophile | 01/21/2008 5:47:34 PM EST read

Dear Romney supporters:

As posted here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1957271/posts

The FredHeads are emailing Thompson’s campaign urging him not to drop out. He’s obviously on his way out. Why don’t we email Thompson’s people and urge Thompson to either not endorse a candidate, or endorse Romney over McCain in the event that he does drop out. Thompson will be betraying his conservatism if he does endorse McCain, and his campaign should be made aware of that.

Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference

WARNING: If you wish to join, be aware that this ping list is EXTREMELY active.

[ejonesie22]

Yawn...

He has not dropped yet...

[ejonesie22]

Half is being generous.

[Politicalmom]

Rats are deserting the ship even if it isn’t sinking.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Mitt will be eviscerated by the left - and deservedly so...
just like Kerry was by the Swift boaters.

I see commercials (a la Swifties)...

100 people standing, looking into the cameras.

Each speaks.

“Mitt was ruthless. He was living in his mansion
while he took away my job.”

next one

“My wife was dying of cancer and he cut me off
without mercy.”

and on and on. And that will be only one line of
attack.

[ejonesie22]

Well let’s look at what we are dealing with here. Half hearted and half assed are the way folks are now days, even here.

[Ingtar]

His 90 year old mother has pneumonia, very often fatal for someone that is her age and as frail as she is. While I do not like the uncertainty, he owes me nothing. I will wait to see what he has to say. Will I continue to fight for Fred or wait until next go around and hope I have someone I can vote for in the general is up to him now.

[Nonstatist]

who else in the lineup COULD he endorse

He was McCains campaign adviser in 2000 and they are very good friends. He was also the CFR lawyer in the Senate when McCain was pushing his anti free speech bill..Endorsing McCain is what Id be worried about.

[papasmurf]

Here’s one of their up coming hit piece sources...

The Los Angeles Times recently revealed Romney utilized shell companies and two offshore tax havens in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands to help eligible investors avoid paying US taxes. The tax-friendly jurisdictions helped attract billions of investment dollars to Bain Capital.

Romney, who’s the wealthiest candidate running for president, still retains an investment in the private equity fund set up on Grand Cayman Island. Campaign disclosure forms show the investment paid him more than $1 million last year in dividends, interest and capital gains.

Bob Drogin is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, who broke the story.

[papasmurf]

Sure, we do.

We need more “smart” businessmen to sell off our assets, fire 1000’s of workers, and steer investments to offshore companies in the Grand Caymens...

[Ingtar]

McCain has done a lot to hurt that relationship in eight years. In 2000, many on here were ready to support McCain. Now they are not. I doubt Thompson would either, though I do expect that he will get behind the eventual nominee as is the usual case for candidates that lose. This is assuming that he is dropping.

[Politicalmom]

You’re a good guy.

How’s our baby?

[tortdog]

>I am also told, “he has no interest in a vice presidency or a cabinet position.”

IF this is true, it is exactly what I have thought all along.

[tortdog]

Tax avoidance is respectable. Tax evasion is a crime.

Because Romney’s company helps “eligible” investors to “avoid” U.S. income tax, it’s a hit piece? Sounds to me like he has good tax planners.

[Agent Smith]

Fred's withdrawal is exactly like his entry, slow and boring.

At least he is consistent.

[HoustonTech]

In this case Rush and Anne are wrong. Romney is a loser as are most of the others. Romney will not be able to get enough support from any segment of the Republican party (except for those of his own faith). The same is true of Huck.

Personally I haven’t heard any attacks against Romney from the left. They know he’s weak. (After all he’s only Christie Todd Whitman in pants.)

Rush favors Romney only because he thinks he is the best to win. He doesn’t understand why Romney is disfavored by most Republicans.

There is no one in the race now who is favored by more than a third of the Republican voters. If we can’t find a Republican who can win a majority of Republican support, how do we think we can garner a majority in the electoral college?

We better be prepared for defeat next Novemeber. Conservatives have been too gullible this year, too divided to be a force, and too unwilling to unite behind a viable candidate. A liberal will be elected next November, whether or not the Democrats win.

[Josh Painter]

His mother is in the freakin’ hospital suffering from pneumonia! What would YOU have him do - send a card and some flowers?

Sheesh...

[Josh Painter]

Great user name. The second half of it is very decriptive, too.

[ejonesie22]

Doing good, very healthy now. God is indeed great.

Been thinking about his future a lot. I realize I can fight for what is right, but the world goes crazy every once in awhile.

I have to teach him the same self reliant skills I have learned and have been part of my family for years. Seems many folks, even ones that are “Conservative” have a desire to look to the Government for help. This to shall pass, but only after their own suffering.

I look back and realize that not only did my family survive Carter, but we thrived, increasing our holdings a good bit.

If Fred is gone I see little to take joy in. I doubt Mitt will make it in the general, though I may support him in the booth if little else. The rest are the same with or without the R after their name. With the economy doing what it is doing we are on the train to “Carterville”, and I fear it will be a bullet train with some of these clowns in the WH. Well I’ll survive and then some.

One good thing that will come of it, it will snap a few heads and get people off the vanity candidates and pet issues and focused on when things first got good.

1980 and Reagan.

Then I am ready.

Haley Barbour 2012, because he has experience with disaster recovery.

[ejonesie22]

Yankees, what can you do?

[Technocrat]

100,000 jobs? Good. There was a reason those companies were failing, and it’s called deadwood. Maybe we can get him to cut two million jobs from the government when he gets in. Any bleeding heart that complains about lost jobs at failing companies is a socialist in disguise.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

Golly I’ve not heard that before. lol

[RinaseaofDs]

The lesser of remaining evils is still evil.

Romney’s a liberal in republican drag. I’d love, LOVE to be proven wrong on this.