Geraghty: Fred ready to go “all in” in South Carolina? Update: Staff taking pay cuts
posted at 5:19 pm on January 8, 2008 by Allahpundit
Another reason for the ‘Heads to be pulling hard for St. John tonight:
Thompson and the people around him know that South Carolina is a must-win. Mitt Romney may look very damaged by the time South Carolina votes, however, and Team Fred thinks they’re a likely first choice for Romney fans losing faith in their man. (Would Mitt fans go to “Don’t Mormons believe Jesus and Satan are brothers” Huckabee or “You are the candidate of change” McCain?)
Also, expect Thompson to spend an enormous amount of time laying out all the ways that Huckabee is not an across-the-board conservative. Thompson’s people believe the ball is bouncing his way, as he’ll soon be able to make the case he’s the only remaining candidate who can rally all wings of the Republican coalition.
The across-the-board conservative versus Maverick versus Huckabee. Advantage: Huckabee.
Meanwhile, black voters appear to be shifting towards Obama, guaranteeing another crushing Hillary defeat two weeks from now.
Update: Fred trims the sails.
Campaign spokesman Darrel Ng declined to say how much salaries will be reduced, but said the campaign has raised a half million dollars since the Iowa caucuses, and will be gearing up for airtime on local television stations in South Carolina starting Thursday.
“This campaign is going to be a South Carolina campaign,” Campaign Manager Bill Lacy said in a written statement.
Blowback
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Damn.
amerpundit on January 8, 2008 at 5:20 PM
Go Fred!
I’ll be man’n the phones for you all I can!
omnipotent on January 8, 2008 at 5:20 PM
eeeeeeeeeeeeh… sounds fishy
Drunk Report on January 8, 2008 at 5:21 PM
I’ve played poker before. Fred’s got a weak hand. He’s bluffin!
CABE on January 8, 2008 at 5:21 PM
Fred!
infidel on January 8, 2008 at 5:22 PM
Did Fred’s people even get him on the ballot in SC?
I wish him well.
Valiant on January 8, 2008 at 5:25 PM
Well they have been particularly astute so far.
How about a Mitt win, knock Mac out to endorse Fred. Those coffers have to be running low. Eh, wishful thinking I suppose.
Spirit of 1776 on January 8, 2008 at 5:26 PM
I’ll cross my fingers, but the way things are going, I don’t expect much. If something good does come to pass, at least I’ll be pleasantly surprised.
thirteen28 on January 8, 2008 at 5:27 PM
With a short stack, no doubt. 10/3 off-suit.
Big S on January 8, 2008 at 5:27 PM
Probably so. McVain’s ego isn’t going to let him drop out until well after the end is obvious to everybody else, should it come to that.
thirteen28 on January 8, 2008 at 5:29 PM
Wasn’t he going ‘all in’ with the bus tour in Iowa?
And if he does win in S.C.? He’s got no organization in the Feb. 5th states and probably isn’t very well known outside of the political junkies.
I like Fred’s platform, I just don’t see how he’s going to do it.
Drew on January 8, 2008 at 5:29 PM
Fred should actually go out on the campaign trail, maybe shake a few hands, say something like, “Hi—I’m Fred and I want your vote.” Until he is ready to do that, he’s going nowhere. He could try to run in a State comprised of 100% Fred Heads, but the other candidates would win because they would actually campaign.
Wise Golden on January 8, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Somebody’s got to stop Huck. If Mitt’s limping, and McCain’s got his bad history in SC, we’d all better help Fred do all he can.
snickelfritz on January 8, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Eh, the best strategy for Fred really is to hope McCain loses. He needs Huckabee and McCain to get out ASAP. Mitt can afford to stay in the race regardless of how he places. Huckabee and McCain spead the votes too thin. Fred’s best bet is to be the anti-Mitt and he can only do that if Huckabee and McCain are out.
davenp35 on January 8, 2008 at 5:31 PM
OT BUT FIRST EXIT DATA:
Democrats: 46% made up minds without last week.. 4 in 10 are independents…. HRC’s favorability: 73%; Obama’s: 84%; … 36% say economy is top issue….
On the Republican side, Ambinder reports that John McCain is viewed as more electable than Mitt Romney, and that the economy is the top issue on the GOP side as it is on the Democratic side. We’ll have more as we get it…
SOURCE
zane on January 8, 2008 at 5:31 PM
If Mitt Romney loses by 7 or 8 points tonight, I expect alot of people to question whether he is worthy of their support. If that happens, Fred and Rudy both move up.
froghat on January 8, 2008 at 5:32 PM
He should have gone “all in,” all of five months ago.
ThePrez on January 8, 2008 at 5:32 PM
Endgame nothing.
Romney loss in NH= major reconsideration
McCain= liberal/indie choice in NH, no big deal, happened in 2000 and Bush crushed him in republican only primaries.
Huckabee= when we get to SC, people will say “Oh yeah, thats the guy who won Iowa. Is he still running?”
leaving Fred=across the board conservative who picks up most of the fallout from both Romney and Huck and who holds conservatives against McCain.
And he is inevitable.
VolMagic on January 8, 2008 at 5:32 PM
Lets bring back Bob Dole. It just might be the right time?
Hening on January 8, 2008 at 5:32 PM
Wise Golden on January 8, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Yeah. He has not done any of that. It wasn’t on FOX or CNN so it didn’t happen. please.
VolMagic on January 8, 2008 at 5:33 PM
Fred Thompson is another Bob Dole.
CABE on January 8, 2008 at 5:34 PM
CABE at 5:21 PM
Fred knows when to hold, and without reproach folded NH.
GO FRED!
maverick muse on January 8, 2008 at 5:34 PM
Yeah, that’s what I think actually.
Spirit of 1776 on January 8, 2008 at 5:34 PM
Prediction:
Numerous otherwise reasonable Fredheads will go “all in” on another crappy campaign commercial for Fred a few days before the South Carolina primary. The result will be similar to that in Iowa-3rd place.
Big S on January 8, 2008 at 5:35 PM
Prediction: You are correct, sir!
Allahpundit on January 8, 2008 at 5:36 PM
more:
GOP: 3 in 10 independents are GOP voters…many late deciders… McCain more electable than Romney…33% say economy is biggest issue followed by Iraq (22%) ….
zane on January 8, 2008 at 5:36 PM
As a Romney supporter I naturally feel Mitt can go all the way. That said (and I can’t speak for all his supporters), I seriously doubt Mitt supporters would migrate to Huckabee. Mike pretty much burnt that bridge early on. McCain is a maybe but I doubt it. For me I would support Fred and I assume many others would too. Frankly I kind of hope for a Romney/Thompson or Thompson/Romney ticket. What can I say, I am naively optomistic.
Lug
Lugnutmegger on January 8, 2008 at 5:37 PM
This is all still so backwards. If conservatives want to stop Huckabee and McCain and have a decent shot against Obama, it is the Fred supporters and everyone really that should be coalescing around Romney, not the other way around. As a Romney supporter I’m telling you right now I–nor my candidate–is going anywhere. Compare the two on issues they are similar, compare them on viability it is night and day.
WHY DO I FEEL LIKE NONE OF YOU UNDERSTAND THIS????!
Patriot33 on January 8, 2008 at 5:37 PM
ThePrez on January 8, 2008 at 5:32 PM
Like Hillary did?
maverick muse on January 8, 2008 at 5:38 PM
Are we still daring to hope Fred has a chance?
He should have had had this in the bag the entire time. NOW it’s his chance?
Has anyone stopped to consider that it’s not going to be us rock-ribbed conservatives who push our candidate past 50%?
But it sure will be “real conservatives” who stay home if they can’t have it all.
Let me thank you in advance. ;)
Your Jewish Master on January 8, 2008 at 5:39 PM
Major disconnect.
snickelfritz on January 8, 2008 at 5:39 PM
This just in: with the SC primary just days away, Fred Thompson makes a dramatic return to Law & Order that will grip the nation! Ok, not really.
Go Fred!
someguy on January 8, 2008 at 5:39 PM
Nonsense. Fred is staying till the brokered convention where he will have at least a 50% chance to unify the party.
Igor R. on January 8, 2008 at 5:40 PM
I think Fred will do a Joe Gibbs in a few weeks.
froghat on January 8, 2008 at 5:41 PM
Yet you keep promoting any and all scenarios (including Huckabee and McCain getting the nom not being that bad an idea) that exclude Romney winning. Add Thompson’s support to Romney, it’s game over, is all I’m saying…
Patriot33 on January 8, 2008 at 5:41 PM
Wise Golden on January 8, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Rip van Winkle, you missed his 50 city campaign amongst the folk in Iowa.
maverick muse on January 8, 2008 at 5:41 PM
Bingo! And Fredheads do understand this…at least the concept…but they are in denial. Fred will be gone a LONG time before Mitt is gone (if he goes at all). Now people need to pick between McCain, Huckabee, and Romney. Who would govern most as a conservative? Mitt’s the man!
davenp35 on January 8, 2008 at 5:41 PM
I say if Fred cant make it and Mitt is fading then maybe we should back McCain. The alternative is Huck and he will be murdered by Obama. At least McCain will sell a little to the independants.
I think right now Fred and Mitt are gone by next week.
William Amos on January 8, 2008 at 5:42 PM
Allah is like the jerk in all the zombie movies who does nothing but complain and make jerky remarks while everybody else is trying to survive.
Hopefully i’ll be around to see allah have his brains sucked out when the hordes of democrats come rampaging into the election booth in November.
amish on January 8, 2008 at 5:42 PM
It’s all my fault.
How about blaming your crappy candidate for once, sport?
Allahpundit on January 8, 2008 at 5:43 PM
Allah isn’t a jerk. He’s just a bit goofy after spending the last 3 years cooped up in his office typingon the computer like a crazed madman. lol
froghat on January 8, 2008 at 5:44 PM
Why in the world would Mitt get out when he has the most money, the most delegates, he’s polling well nationally, and he’s placing well in every contest?!?
davenp35 on January 8, 2008 at 5:45 PM
If 36% of NH thinks the economy is the major issue….why would they even consider voting dem??
HaraldHardrada on January 8, 2008 at 5:45 PM
amish on January 8, 2008 at 5:42 PM
He’ll don whichever uniform is vogue.
maverick muse on January 8, 2008 at 5:46 PM
davenp35, Mitt is tanking in the polls faster than Monica at a Whitehouse briefing.
froghat on January 8, 2008 at 5:46 PM
How about blaming your crappy candidate for once, sport?
Screw Thompson. Win or lose you’re still an asshole.
Ban me faggot.
amish on January 8, 2008 at 5:46 PM
I said think its not a certainty. But Mitt bet on winning Iowa an New Hampshire big time and it hasnt happened. He lost one and at best barely win the other. He has not campaigned as much anywhere else.
Mitt’s whole strategy was to do well early. It has failed and he might be able to recover but it isnt a certainty.
William Amos on January 8, 2008 at 5:47 PM
byeee!
zane on January 8, 2008 at 5:47 PM
Polls of people in your fantasyland don’t count.
davenp35 on January 8, 2008 at 5:47 PM
You’re wrong about Mitt. He’s ahead in the delegate count right now…
CABE on January 8, 2008 at 5:47 PM
Wow, I have only considered it the other way around, Fred endorsing McCain.
What will the Fredhead’s say when their man is supported by the GOP bashing McCain?
EJDolbow on January 8, 2008 at 5:48 PM
Name the unnamed source.
maverick muse on January 8, 2008 at 5:48 PM
It’s the shouting. For the love of God stop shouting.
Oh, and your candidate is a Ken doll whose positions shift with the breeze.
TexasDan on January 8, 2008 at 5:48 PM
amish on January 8, 2008 at 5:46 PM
Careful there, dude. AP is Sith. He feeds off of your hate. You’re only making him stronger.
Big S on January 8, 2008 at 5:50 PM
No way. Mitt has Michigan and the bank roll. Fred has SC.
Spirit of 1776 on January 8, 2008 at 5:50 PM
Yeah, a cannon ball; or maybe that huge ball in the first Indiana Jones movie.
infidel65 on January 8, 2008 at 5:50 PM
That was childish. Thompson has missed 3245439584 opportunities, but I’m still pulling for him. Just because Allah doesn’t have teh feva for teh Fred! doesn’t mean he’s a jerk. (It just means he’s woefully misguided)
Anyway, Fred needs some money!
John_Locke on January 8, 2008 at 5:51 PM
Fred’s and McCain’s positions have little in common. Just because they were buddies doesn’t mean one has to endorse the other. This is surreal: the guy who didn’t raise his hand about Global Warming being real and who has the most comprehensive immigration plan will endorse or be endorsed by a guy who co-sponsored Global Warming and Amnesty bills with Barack Obama? Come on, take the Kool-Aid antidote!
Igor R. on January 8, 2008 at 5:51 PM
blockquote>What will the Fredhead’s say when their man is supported by the GOP bashing McCain?
EJDolbow on January 8, 2008 at 5:48 PM
Then they will say that pragmatism overrides principle, in other words, the opposite of what they have been saying.
Fredheads (not all) will instantly forgive McCain if he would just help Fred I’d guess.
Spirit of 1776 on January 8, 2008 at 5:53 PM
There was just a guy on local radio, PROUDLY stating (in front of God and everybody) that he just made up his mind to vote for Huckabee because HE. PLAYED. THE. GUITAR.
**banging head on desk**
I’m voting for Fred on Super Tuesday and this ‘glittering jewel of colossal ignorance’ is going to cancel out my vote.
LOVELY
Janna on January 8, 2008 at 5:53 PM
If we don’t unite around someone quick-like (hopefully Mitt), this nomination is Rudy’s. End of story.
HYTEAndy on January 8, 2008 at 5:54 PM
Unkind. Unsolicited. Uncalled for.
thejackal on January 8, 2008 at 5:55 PM
Everyone needs to vote for the candidate that they want to see win. I just hope Fred doesn’t quit before I have a chance to do just that.
Rose on January 8, 2008 at 5:56 PM
amish on January 8, 2008 at 5:46 PM
Looks like someone has forgotten who is the conductor on this particular choo-choo.
I always thought that the brokered convention was one of those mythical beasts like sasquatch or overtime-pay, but I’m starting to see the footprints.
Uncle Pinky on January 8, 2008 at 5:56 PM
Yeah. Cause Allah hasn’t posted 100 different times defending Romney against the “Don’t Mormons sacrifice babies?” crap from Huckabee? If you haven’t noticed, Romney is still behind in national polls. Point is, Allah does a really good job with all of this, and he beats on all the candidates precisely so people don’t pi$$ and moan about “bias”.
John_Locke on January 8, 2008 at 5:57 PM
I don’t mean to sound anti-suffrage or anything, but if I recall, Alexander Hamilton and some other founding fathers believed in government by the most qualified… not necessarily government by the masses…
Any early American history buffs want to help me out on this? Perhaps their limited voting-rights sentiments were borne out of fear of something (someone?) like Huckabee — underqualified, but appealing to the “common man.”
HYTEAndy on January 8, 2008 at 5:57 PM
TexasDan on January 8, 2008 at 5:48 PM
Enjoying some sunshine today!
maverick muse on January 8, 2008 at 5:57 PM
Give it a rest. Romney is not now or has he ever been a conservative. He’s just another big goverment “moderate” who’ll say (or spend) anything to win an election. He’s an unelectable Republican version of John Kerry, completely void of political principles that won’t change with the slightest shift in the political winds.
WHY DO I FEEL LIKE NONE OF YOU UNDERSTAND THIS????!
Hollowpoint on January 8, 2008 at 5:57 PM
Sorry, but, welcome to American politics in the 21rst century.
ChrisM on January 8, 2008 at 5:57 PM
Rudy’s momentum is all wrong. Rudy’s body language points to being resigned to failure. By Super Tuesday there will not be a front-runner. Rudy will get very few votes in the South. This will lead to a brokered convention where Fred will be the only consensus candidate, with “fire in the belly” or without.
Igor R. on January 8, 2008 at 5:58 PM
Now you know how I feel about all the Fredheads who defend to the death a candidate that isn’t when they could get behind Mitt and put an end to Huckabee and McCain. (I have no actual hostility to those that stand with Fred. It would have been nice if he had been a better campaigner.)
davenp35 on January 8, 2008 at 5:58 PM
If that’s the case, why would he need what little support Fred has that many of you Mitt supporters keep begging for? If he doesn’t stand a chance (and you may be right about that), then does it make a big difference, considering both his lack of support and the bajillion $$$ in Mitt’s campaign coffers?
thirteen28 on January 8, 2008 at 5:58 PM
You can help elect the ONLY Conservative in the race by going to http://www.fred08.com and donate whatever you can, and also sign up to be a Friend of Fred.
It is amazing that so many intelligent and astute people on this site seemed to be repeating the so-called mainstream media’s talking points.
Let me get this straight- I should not be allowed to choose Fred Thompson (or anyone for that matter) because a couple hundred thousand people in Iowa and NH say so???
ReaganConservative3 on January 8, 2008 at 5:59 PM
as a Fredhead, i’ll gladley take mcVain’s supporters… If its the other way around? well then its all about Mitt..
Theres no way i would vote McVain in teh primary, ONLY if its in the general, and that would be extremely hard to do…
stlpatriot on January 8, 2008 at 6:00 PM
Because you couldn’t be more wrong. I know I would rather vote for a guy who actually ‘got right’ on the issues than McCain or Huckabee who still defend their liberalism to this day. Romney would govern as a conservative. McCain and Huckabee would not.
davenp35 on January 8, 2008 at 6:01 PM
NEWS in the works unmentioned by Allah:
Mitt’s baby Bain is buying/selling our national security; witness over time the NEGATIVE effects of Mitt’s executive experience selling out our national security for a pretty dollar. What a plastic con artist Mitt is. What an awful legacy his personal fortune begets.
maverick muse on January 8, 2008 at 6:02 PM
Finally?
eanax on January 8, 2008 at 6:02 PM
Patriot33 on January 8, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Not even close. This goes to show that you don’t understand Fred’s base at all. His support at this time comes primarily from people who like the fact that he is a real conservative, has always been that, and they can take it to the bank that he will preside that way from the Oval Office. Mitt, well, he is the candidate of change.
You are correct that Mitt is the most conservative of the three candidates you mention (at least he is this week) and, should he get the GOP nod, I would give him my vote in November. But for Fredheads to abandon a tried and true, reliable conservative who adheres to our values this early in the game in favor of someone who has changed opinions even within the last few months, that’s asking a bit much.
steadyrock on January 8, 2008 at 6:03 PM
With McCain Amnesty is guaranteed, with Huckabee it depends on the prevailing political winds.
Igor R. on January 8, 2008 at 6:03 PM
Forgive? No. However for some I could see the appeal of the Devil You Know (McCain) vs the Devil You Don’t Know (Romney).
We can be confident that McCain will be McCain- even though that’s not someone we always like. With Romney you just don’t know what you’re going to get thanks to his ongoing inconsistancy.
Not defending McCain here, but let’s not pretend we can be confident that Mitt would be any better, because we can’t know what his positions would be for the general election or in office.
Hollowpoint on January 8, 2008 at 6:03 PM
Are y’all ready for the Fredalanche!©?
TheSitRep on January 8, 2008 at 6:05 PM
I’ve been wanting to donate but needed a little kick in the rear. Thanks for the link!
I donated to Fred because he needs the money and needs to whup some Huckatail. Hopefully Romney will continue to do well but, just in case, and since Hunter isn’t gaining much traction- Fred gets the dough.
If anyone else wants to….donate- become a Fredneck! You know you want to.
NTWR on January 8, 2008 at 6:05 PM
Bloomberg is still considering.
maverick muse on January 8, 2008 at 6:06 PM
McCain is an insane maniac obsessed with Amnesty and Global Warming. Mitt is a flip-flopping businessman who raised a good family and started a business. Now who is more likely to destroy this country?
Igor R. on January 8, 2008 at 6:06 PM
This is identical to the rediculous argument diehard liberals use against Cheney because of Hallibutron. There are two Bain’s first of all. Mitt was with the investment side of the house. He took charge only to help out his boss when the company was failing. Bain never had any so called shady deals while he was in charge. More anti-Romney motivated reasoning. Stress potential negatives (whether true or not) and deny the positives. Romney cannot be linked to anything improper…stop trying to make the lies stick.
davenp35 on January 8, 2008 at 6:07 PM
You just don’t know what you’re going to get? Look at his record as governor for God’s sake. God forbid a record tells you anything about a candidate? Your Romney bashing is getting annoying.
CABE on January 8, 2008 at 6:07 PM
I wouldn’t have to ‘forgive’ McCain for anything to say that he did the right thing.
snickelfritz on January 8, 2008 at 6:08 PM
Hollowpoint 6:03,
GOP
the Devil You Know (McCain) vs the Devil You Don’t Know (Romney).
Asses
the Devil You Know (Hillary) vs the Devil You Don’t Know (Obama).
Support Conservative
GO FRED!
maverick muse on January 8, 2008 at 6:09 PM
Your wish is granted. Vaya con dios.
Allahpundit on January 8, 2008 at 6:10 PM
There isn’t a dime’s worth of difference between Obama and McCain other than Iraq. McCain claims he invented the surge, and Obama denies it accomplished anything.
Igor R. on January 8, 2008 at 6:10 PM
davenp35 on January 8, 2008 at 6:07 PM
Mitt begat Bain.
maverick muse on January 8, 2008 at 6:10 PM
Donate to Mitt!
davenp35 on January 8, 2008 at 6:10 PM
Come on folks, let’s get FREDucated!!!
ReaganConservative3 on January 8, 2008 at 6:10 PM
Amos, either you are a player in a game that is completely over my head and I’m oblivious, or you’re an idiot. You are calling Mitt to quit the campaign?
TexasDan, sorry if this is harsh, but I’m guessing that Romney will make more money in interest income this year than you’ll make in the next decade in total income. So, I’m not sure where you come off calling him a “Ken Doll”, and wtf is your point anyway? That he is all smiles and hair without accomplishment? That would be incorrect.
I like Mitt, but I like Fred, too. And I would happily pay to vote for McVain or Hunter against that worthless prick Obama. Huckabee, not so much.
Jaibones on January 8, 2008 at 6:11 PM
Romney cannot be linked to anything improper–
LOL!
maverick muse on January 8, 2008 at 6:11 PM
Now or Never!
thareb on January 8, 2008 at 6:11 PM
And Cheney began Haliburton? Very rediculous argument. If your grandkid stels money are you responsible? Oh, and are you now pushing the liberal Bloomberg?
davenp35 on January 8, 2008 at 6:12 PM
Oops. Copied and pasted a bit too much there.
Hollowpoint on January 8, 2008 at 6:12 PM
I never did like the Amish. They make good furniture though
NickTx on January 8, 2008 at 6:12 PM
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