[kingu]

In the 2008 debates, Fred Thompson started to go after Romney at the South Carolina Presidential debate, and Romney was ready. When Fred brought up the topic of government mandates, Romney jumped in immediate with... ‘I like mandates, mandates work!’

To imagine that Fred Thompson would endorse Romney at any point after that exchange, in which Fred was literally speechless while Romney ranted like the liberal he is, is very difficult for me. That he’d choose Newt Gingrich out of the remaining field doesn’t surprise me. He dislikes Ron Paul, and while Rick Santorum might meet Fred’s personal parameters for endorsement, I honestly doubt that Rick’s campaign would have the foresight to actually ask for it.

[Valin]

Romney jumped in immediate with... ‘I like mandates, mandates work!’

You don’t happen to have a link for that do you? Might be of some use.

[Charles Henrickson]

I remember that moment in that debate and I noted Fred's being taken aback at the mention of mandates. But this was before most of us knew much about Romneycare in Massachusetts or, of course, Obamacare at the federal level.

[PapaBear3625]

When Fred brought up the topic of government mandates, Romney jumped in immediate with... ‘I like mandates, mandates work!’ To imagine that Fred Thompson would endorse Romney at any point after that exchange, in which Fred was literally speechless while Romney ranted like the liberal he is, is very difficult for me.

Gingrich has some very juicy material on Romney for his commercials, particularly if he can get the video. Romney pro-mandates. Romney making permanent the Massachusetts "assault weapons ban". Lots of good stuff if Newt decides to open that can of whup-ass.