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What's Next For Thompson?
News Channel 5 ^ | Jan 19, 2008 | NewsChannel5.com

Posted on 01/20/2008 2:27:30 AM PST by counterpunch

COLUMBIA, S.C.- John McCain was the winner of Saturday's South Carolina primary. Mike Huckabee came in second. Fred Thompson came in third, followed closely by Mitt Romney.

This is a victory that eluded McCain in 2000, and if history is a guide, may have set him on course to become the GOP presidential nominee. No Republican since 1980 has won the party's nod without a win in the first-in-the-South primary.

Saturday's primary loss was clearly a big disappointment for Fred Thompson, but you never would have picked up on that when you heard him speak to his supporters.

"Well, it may be a little early to declare victory, I am not sure," Thompson joked. "We told our folks to vote late, so they'll be trickling in I am sure."

So a lot of folks are now weighing in on Fred Thompson's political future. One political expert from Tennessee weighs in.

"I think he is through if he doesn't do well here, I think he has said so. Even a second place finish won't do," said Jackson Baker, Memphis Flyer.

"This is a gun show he just attended, if he can't get votes from this crowd, in this state which is probably the most conservative state in the union probably, then his message just probably won't play anywhere else," said Baker.

Thompson spent more time campaigning in South Carolina than anyone else. An army of Tennessee Volunteers also came through. They sent out a scripted message to undecided voters.

In South Carolina, apparently, Thompson's message did not catch on. Fred Thompson, however, was far from making any sort of statement about bowing out of the presidential race. Thompson returned home to Virginia Saturday night. His campaign most likely is regrouping, and gearing up for another big fight in the Florida Primary.


TOPICS: Front Page News; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: fredthompson; sc2008
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To: enough_idiocy
“You sound like the MSM”. That’s exactly what I was trying to do. That’s the “reality” as being presented presented. I didn’t say that you said he was running away with anything.
181 posted on 01/20/2008 2:12:36 PM PST by isrul
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To: 2111USMC
I didn’t hear he speech. Maybe just as well for now. I’m demoralized enough.
182 posted on 01/20/2008 2:15:12 PM PST by isrul
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To: coalman
It’s all about money. He will need it to continue. Maybe a staff shakeup wouldn’t hurt, either.
183 posted on 01/20/2008 2:17:22 PM PST by isrul
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To: tx_eggman
.. his fresh newly minted approach to conservative ideas

Who, may I ask, are you backing?

184 posted on 01/20/2008 2:28:35 PM PST by Edit35
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To: Dog Gone

The same could probably be said for Mitt and Fred. If not for Mitt and Huck...! ;-)


185 posted on 01/20/2008 2:30:26 PM PST by 9YearLurker (Fred just keeps looking better and better)
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To: counterpunch

“What’s Next For Thompson?”

1. Drop out

2. Endorse his good friend McCain

3. Sign up for another season of Law and Order


186 posted on 01/20/2008 2:49:22 PM PST by GovernmentIsTheProblem (We are not to expect to be translated from despotism to liberty in a featherbed. - Thomas Jefferson)
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To: Shery

Fred Thompson would probably support McCain because Thompson supported McCain in 2000 and served as national co-chairman for McCain’s campaign.

We need a Republican strong on Defense to win the presidency. Need I remind everyone that the prospects on taking back the House and Senate in 2008 don’t look good (especially the Senate)? If both bodies become more Democratic with a Democratic president in the White House, we will be dealt with a serious blow regarding the War on Islamofacism.


187 posted on 01/20/2008 2:52:38 PM PST by jonyyeh
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To: GovernmentIsTheProblem

I doubt Fred could return to Law & Order, especially since Sam Waterson’s character Jack McCoy has been “promoted” to District Attorney.

However, if Thompson doesn’t because the vice presidential candidate, he probably won’t have much problem finding acting work. Besides, a replacement for Paul Harvey will be needed in the future.

As for the Presidential race, I have no idea what will happen.


188 posted on 01/20/2008 2:55:26 PM PST by jonyyeh
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To: jonyyeh

“However, if Thompson doesn’t because the vice presidential candidate, he probably won’t have much problem finding acting work. Besides, a replacement for Paul Harvey will be needed in the future.”

Why would someone pick him as a veep when he can’t win a single state?


189 posted on 01/20/2008 2:56:42 PM PST by GovernmentIsTheProblem (We are not to expect to be translated from despotism to liberty in a featherbed. - Thomas Jefferson)
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To: GovernmentIsTheProblem

Well, I guess VP is unlikely for Thompson. Thompson himself stated he’s wasn’t interested a few months before declaring himself as a candidate. It’s only a remote possibility if McCain wins the nomination, if precedent holds up.

I don’t know if the VP candidate will be a current candidate in the race. Though I don’t think the winner of the nomination will pick a former rival in the race (unless we’re desperate). I personally think if McCain wins, he would pick Lindsey Graham to be his running mate.


190 posted on 01/20/2008 3:07:22 PM PST by jonyyeh
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To: 9YearLurker
The same could probably be said for Mitt and Fred. If not for Mitt and Huck...! ;-)

Arguably that's true, but somewhere in there is that evangelical thing, and Mitt's mormonism. You know that's true because you've seen it displayed at this forum for months.

Effectively, even though only Duncan Hunter pulled out this weekend, we're down to only four candidates who have a shot. McCain, Romney, Huckabee, and Rudy. And Rudy is only in the game if he completes the Hail Mary pass to take Florida.

191 posted on 01/20/2008 3:41:06 PM PST by Dog Gone
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To: Tennessean4Bush
No, but I have noticed that some people are able to evaluate dispassionately opposing ideas, and events. Others, become so personally committed to these political celebrities that it difficult for them to be objective.
192 posted on 01/20/2008 3:57:50 PM PST by reflecting
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To: matthew fuller

“As a conservative, I think that the best of all scenarios will be the death of the current republican party.”

I will say this’ no matter who wins in ‘08, the socialst Dem or the socialist Rep, people almost ALWAYS get the government that they deserve.


193 posted on 01/20/2008 4:12:44 PM PST by Grunthor (No Juan. No Huckaliar. Not primary, not general, not ever.)
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To: Past Your Eyes

if you’re ok with mormons voting as herds then why your beef with “evangelicals” doing the same

evene though I don’t think they do ....I think it’s media presumptiveness

Huckster has the abortion vote to a degree, that is what I think....he’s less ambiguous than anyone else sans hunter/tanc

i don’t know who i’m for now


194 posted on 01/20/2008 4:53:09 PM PST by wardaddy (Political Correctness is to Western Culture what the Aids virus is to the cake community)
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To: aj7360

that’s true.....I am probably one of those

and once again we will be forced to swallow something milquetoast rather than concede to the hard left

it sucks but we’re dying off quick enough, America Nueva puede resolver ese futuro


195 posted on 01/20/2008 4:56:16 PM PST by wardaddy (Political Correctness is to Western Culture what the Aids virus is to the cake community)
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To: syriacus

Ditto—sent mine last night after the “Stand Tall!” speech.

Thought he was goign to drop out and it scared the money right out of my wallet. And I’m not known as a giver to political campaigns, and have never given during primary season.


196 posted on 01/20/2008 4:56:31 PM PST by exit82 (How do you handle Hillary? You Huma her.)
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To: carton253

Ain’t none of them going to be President if they don’t stop McCain and Huck.


197 posted on 01/20/2008 5:02:21 PM PST by Free Vulcan (No prisoners. No mercy.)
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To: upsdriver
What's Next For Thompson?

Corner square on Hollywood Squares?

lol!

Hollywood for sure.

198 posted on 01/20/2008 6:30:28 PM PST by South40 (Amnesty is a slap in the face to the USBP!)
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To: upsdriver
Corner square on Hollywood Squares?

Bitter... party of one. Bitter... party of one. Your table is ready.

199 posted on 01/20/2008 7:29:32 PM PST by the808bass
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To: snarkybob
He’s a better speaker than Fred.

I'll surmise you have never heard a McCain speech.

200 posted on 01/20/2008 7:32:12 PM PST by the808bass
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