Fred update: His campaign says he’s staying in the race — if he finishes third in SC; Update: Exit poll: Fred fourth in SC among … conservatives
posted at 4:58 pm on January 19, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Watch as the goalposts move before your very eyes, with less contested southern states like Georgia and Tennessee now the benchmark for voter enthusiasm. Third in SC is very much a possibility, of course — but early indications from Carl Cameron are not good.
Politico says he sounds wistful on the trail today while the NYT seizes one last opportunity to snark. “Amen! Tell the truth, Fred! Amen!”
Update: Victory in defeat:
Over the past month, Huckabee first surged in polls of South Carolina Republicans, from fifth place to, for a time, a solid first place. Over the past two weeks, however, he has fallen behind McCain, largely for two reasons: McCain got a major boost from his January 8 New Hampshire win, and the struggling campaign of Fred Thompson made a last ditch effort to get on track here. While well behind and tied for third place with Romney, Thompson did make gains, and the data suggest that virtually every point Thompson picked up came out of Huckabee’s hide.
Update: From Fox News, read it and weep.
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Maybe Mitt doesn’t have to pander.
It would be interesting to see how many Mormon votes have been cast for other GOP candidates.
I’m not being critical or snarky here, but according to BKennedy, it is a factor.
a capella on January 19, 2008 at 7:06 PM
Well with Hunter out and Fred all but done, it will make writing the “doom & gloom” posts here that much easier.
brak on January 19, 2008 at 7:07 PM
Exit poll from MSNBC:
Regardless of how you voted today, which one of these candidates do you think would be most likely to beat the Democratic presidential nominee in November?
Rudy Giuliani 4
Mike Huckabee 22
John McCain 41
Ron Paul 3
Mitt Romney 20
Fred Thompson 8
Regardless of how you voted today, which one of these candidates is most likely to bring needed change to the country?
Rudy Giuliani 4
Mike Huckabee 27
John McCain 29
Ron Paul 7
Mitt Romney 19
Fred Thompson 13
bnelson44 on January 19, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Fred for Veep!
Huck for paper hat and a squirrel-fryer at the 4-H Fair in Hope, AK.
And McCain can get a costume and do a Mexican Pro Wrestling Tour …as El Nacho Pique.
profitsbeard on January 19, 2008 at 7:08 PM
McCain, Huckabee Locked In Dead Heat…
Well, this should be an interesting night…
bnelson44 on January 19, 2008 at 7:10 PM
South Carolina Unofficial Results
MB4 on January 19, 2008 at 7:11 PM
I never thought I’d say this, but as it applies to SC…Let’s go Huckabee!
davenp35 on January 19, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Geez, Carl Cameron…just stick your nose up McCain’s ass even more.
SouthernGent on January 19, 2008 at 7:13 PM
BASED ON EXIT POLL ESTIMATES, ABC NEWS REPORTS THAT MCCAIN AND HUCKABEE ARE IN A RACE FOR FIRST IN SOUTH CAROLINA REPUBLICAN PRIMARY; ROMNEY AND THOMPSON FIGHT FOR THIRD
bnelson44 on January 19, 2008 at 7:14 PM
Thanks for your service Fred!
omnipotent on January 19, 2008 at 7:14 PM
Carl Cameron is beyond rediculous in his coverage. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if he were found to be on McCain’s payroll.
davenp35 on January 19, 2008 at 7:14 PM
You are the epitome of the biggest sycophant I have ever seen in my life. Do you brown nose like this at your place of employment? Your co-workers must really despise you.
Jungliszt on January 19, 2008 at 7:15 PM
Anyone see this over at Drudge:
No explanation needed, just looked kind of funny.
Sammy316 on January 19, 2008 at 7:15 PM
As long as Fred! stays in he has my vote. If he drops out I will have to consider long and hard if the pseudo-conservative Romney is someone I can force myself to vote for. Otherwise, it is back to Plan A - a protest vote for Ronald Reagan.
And Harald is right about one thing, where are the posts about the looming danger from Juan RINO McLiar?
SimplyKimberly on January 19, 2008 at 7:16 PM
If what Hucky’s campaign man says is true…that the Upstate of SC turned out late…Hucky will win. The snow never materialized as much as they thought up there. I hate to say it, too, but go Hucky!
SouthernGent on January 19, 2008 at 7:16 PM
Actually, with those numbers I’m surprised that Drudge didn;t have a flashing light and a headline reading “Romney leads in SC!”
Big S on January 19, 2008 at 7:17 PM
Those who attend religious services than once a week:
I do understand the frustration.
The evangelicals in SC have not shown themselves to be intelligent beyond a single issue. And that is very disconcerting for those of us who had thought there is still some wisdom there, than that shows.
James Dobson can take responsibility for this. Which will of course damage not only his reputation as a Kingmaker, but also turn off his supporters at large.
So he will have to suffer on his own accord.
Mcguyver on January 19, 2008 at 7:17 PM
FOAD.
RushBaby on January 19, 2008 at 7:19 PM
The latest round of exit polls show McCain up 33% to 27% over Huck, with Romney and Thompson trailing at 16% and 15% respectively (via Palmetto Scoop).
Oh no!!!
WTF is going on?
Fox has it the other way around.
MB4 on January 19, 2008 at 7:19 PM
You are right. I’m a pro-life Christian and I cannot believe that evangelicals are this narrow minded that they cannot see the empty vessel that is Huckascam. He is making most of this stuff up as he goes along and has zero knowledge about foreign policy and national security. He frightens me.
SimplyKimberly on January 19, 2008 at 7:20 PM
7:19 pm: ABC Polling Director Gary Langer tells us that Mike Huckabee is in the hunt because conservatives and evangelicals turned out in bigger than expected numbers. Remember that this was McCain’s problem in Michigan as well — the turnout among independents didn’t keep pace with where it was in 2000.
Langer: “In preliminary exit poll results, conservatives account for nearly seven in 10 Republican primary voters, and evangelicals account for more than half. Huckabee has strong if not monolithic support from evangelicals. But he’s very weak among non-evangelicals - barely one in 10 of them support him.”
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/live-blogging-e.html
bnelson44 on January 19, 2008 at 7:23 PM
Excommunicate? Talk about drama! I don’t want to kick anyone out. If having a BIG TENT requires that we tolerate pro-amnesty, pro-choice, anti-gun, big spending, nanny state, political slicksters who would sooner ally with Ted Kennedy than defend Reagan conservatism, then I will gladly step out of the tent and make room for you guys.
I think it’s funny how Mitt and McCain supporters never get accused of being “enthusiastic”. Even their vigorous fanatics are half-hearted.
edgehead on January 19, 2008 at 7:23 PM
I’m not familiar with childish acronyms. You’ll have to enlighten me.
Jungliszt on January 19, 2008 at 7:29 PM
Right, we were never in the tent with this guy. Reality is a harsh, cold mistress.
TexasDan on January 19, 2008 at 7:30 PM
More evidence that Huck cannot compete among anyone except evangelicals and thus cannot secure the nomination.
phronesis on January 19, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Uh-oh…Thompson to speak at 7:45-ish according to CNN.
SouthernGent on January 19, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Yep, and much more interested in chip, chip, chipping away at the optimism and enthusiasm of those who are.
RushBaby on January 19, 2008 at 7:32 PM
By the way…the results in SC typically come in from the coast first, so it makes sense McCain would lead early…so don’t despair…yet!
SouthernGent on January 19, 2008 at 7:32 PM
FOAD.
abbreviations dot com
Mcguyver on January 19, 2008 at 7:37 PM
Didn’t know there were squirrels in Alaska.
fourstringfuror on January 19, 2008 at 7:38 PM
I think RushBaby and I are on the same side here. He must have meant “TOAD”, as in toady, referring to amerpundit, who even goes so far as to rip off a portion of AP’s name.
Jungliszt on January 19, 2008 at 7:42 PM
I see that the open registration has really changed the flavor of the comments at HA. I can’t wait to read some of the responses to AP’s next blog concerning religion vs. atheism:)
dawgyear on January 10, 2008 at 7:39 PM
I made this statement last week and if anything the comments section has gotten worse. I realize that in the primary season many people will write statements as to why candidate “X” is better than candidate “Y”. However, before the latest open registration the comments on this site were well thought out and provided documented support for their positions. Now it seems that a number of comments in support of candidate “X” are leaning towards insulting people not supporting “X” instead of making arguments why candidate “X” positions are better than candidate “Y”. In addition, the documented support for these statements are quotations from the Bible. Myself, I miss the insightful comments from people such as Prof. Blather, Spurius, and Anton in which they tried to influence people by using logical and well thought out arguments supporting what they believed instead of belittling other people’s beliefs. I also think that Allahpundit and Bryan have been fair in their comments about all of the candidates in this election. BTW, I am voting for Fred in the primaries due to his stance on the issues. However, if he does not win the nomination, I will still be able to vote for Mitt or Rudy even though I do not agree 100% with their positions on all issues.
dawgyear on January 19, 2008 at 7:44 PM
I guess people in SC don’t know what “conservative” means.
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 7:57 PM
Us, excommunicating you? Are you friggin’ serious? Talk about projection.
doubleplusundead on January 19, 2008 at 8:03 PM
No. It just means that they really aren’t all that interested in nominating a conservative.
edgehead on January 19, 2008 at 8:08 PM
Well, I, for one am not discouraged.
To those speculating on where fredfolk go if Fred drops out. I will be voting Fred in the primary here in NC. In the general…if it’s McVain or Huckaschmuck, I will write Fred in.
tickleddragon on January 19, 2008 at 8:08 PM
You tickle my dragon when you talk like that.
I am writing in Fred too!
TheSitRep on January 19, 2008 at 8:10 PM
I’ll either be voting Fred or writing him in, if we’re gonna begin the slide into statism/socialism, let’s just f*cking do it and get it over with.
doubleplusundead on January 19, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Glad to know I’m not alone on that one!
the goddess anna on January 19, 2008 at 8:12 PM
Hehe. Nice to know I’m in good company.
tickleddragon on January 19, 2008 at 8:12 PM
Heck no, you’re not alone, goddess anna.
tickleddragon on January 19, 2008 at 8:13 PM
Hey, Rushbaby…it’s about time to get that website up, isn’t it? Sounds like the fredfolk need a place to go to get away from the zippies….more than ever.
tickleddragon on January 19, 2008 at 8:14 PM
Right on. I hope as we become a socialist nation the next 9/11 hits in my backyard to end my misery sooner!
ihasurnominashun on January 19, 2008 at 8:17 PM
Fred said something in his concession speech that I agree with and that the Fred haters don’t understand.
It’s never been about Fred. It’s about his ideas. Would I like to have a candidate with Mitt’s hair & makeup, McCain’s 40 yr-old bio, Huck’s ability to be anything to his supporters, and Fred’s ideas and core convictions? Hell yes I would. But he doesn’t exist. Fred, like Reagan was simply a champion of the cause. The Conservative ideal will survive but with the defeat of the only candidate willing to govern by these principles, it will not be a part of our governence for some time to come. Our country will continue to suffer as a result.
edgehead on January 19, 2008 at 8:21 PM
Writing in a candidate who has no chance of winning is idiotic.
You make your idealogical stand during the primary season and THEN you think about the fate of the country and vote for the person MOST like your ideal in the general.
Republicans needs to be adults and not throw temper tantrums in the voting booth.
EJDolbow on January 19, 2008 at 8:21 PM
What you see as a temper tantrum - I see as principle.
I cannot vote for someone who is in essence a Democrat (i.e. McLiar, Huckascam and Rudy). Just because they filed as a Republican, doesn’t mean they are in fact Republican.
I will be voting for the person most like my ideal - Fred!
SimplyKimberly on January 19, 2008 at 8:23 PM
Fred stood for the Republican party. Writing him in (my intention as well) IS standing for the principles of conservatism. It has nothing to do with a temper tantrum. The fact that the Rupublican party is dead is pretty sad…I refuse to drag a dead body over some finish line just to “beat” the dems. THAT is a temper tantrum.
ihasurnominashun on January 19, 2008 at 8:28 PM
What about those of us who’s one and only candidate won’t make it to our state’s primary? Why should I be stuck with candidates I don’t trust? If my vote is my own (which it is), then it’s my right to use it how I see fit. When the heck did the selection of our next president become this retarded, jacked-up version of American Idol/Survivor?
the goddess anna on January 19, 2008 at 8:30 PM
Heh:
Financially, he’s on a shoestring. It seems a loss tonight will hit him pretty hard.
Laura on January 19, 2008 at 8:32 PM
I hope it is a knockout blow. I loathe McLiar, but Huckascam scares the crap out of me he is so clueless about so many things.
SimplyKimberly on January 19, 2008 at 8:36 PM
The Huckster keeps dragging in ‘conservatives’? Who are these people? Just because someone is a Christian doesn’t make them a model conservative, people.
NeoconNews.com on January 19, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Fred’s up to 15%; maybe it’s enough. He’s off to mommas’ to visit & decide. Let’s hope he stays till ’super tuesday’.
countywolf on January 19, 2008 at 8:40 PM
I think he will pull ahead as the votes come in.
TheSitRep on January 19, 2008 at 8:43 PM
Fox just had a quote from John Edwards about “saving the middle class” and it was striking how much it sounded like a Huckabee quote.
Laura on January 19, 2008 at 8:43 PM
Fred 16% and they just said 20%
TheSitRep on January 19, 2008 at 8:45 PM
85% percent of the Republican base in SC disagrees with you.
pedestrian on January 19, 2008 at 8:46 PM
I HATE to say this but these people are like my Mom and her sister. The don’t follow this stuff like some of us. If Chuck Norris (Walker TX Ranger) says Huck’s a conservative and a Christian, then it’s good enough for them.
edgehead on January 19, 2008 at 8:57 PM
Fred Is Real. This is a terrifying concept to a culture raised & educated by Media visuals & soundbites. We are in for a very rough ride. For myself, I am voting for Fred if I have to write him in & I will not let anyone mindfk me this time by telling me that doing so is a vote for the winner. There are no winners anymore, just crashing & burning. But there are Heros & true warriors. As someone said earlier in this thread, Fred isn’t out until he says so & until then I am voting Fred Thompson.
lobosan5 on January 19, 2008 at 8:58 PM
Just wait till November and beyond. The Reagan Republican party IS dead. The Rockefeller brand is back, and will be our demise.
edgehead on January 19, 2008 at 9:00 PM
Don’t underestimate the “Chuck” factor. Look at his numbers pre-Chuck and Post “Chuck”.
edgehead on January 19, 2008 at 9:09 PM
According to Fox, FRED is at 18%!
MITX on January 19, 2008 at 9:17 PM
Makes me wanna “UpChuck”…
Well, in all honesty, I’m still a FredHead til the end…but if Fred doesn’t make it, I’ll have to be a “McCainBrain”. He’s not TOO bad…
JetBoy on January 19, 2008 at 9:18 PM
Those 85% can have their brand of Republican party…the Bush Republican party. I’ll pass.
ihasurnominashun on January 19, 2008 at 9:22 PM
Man does Rudy have a snowballs chance? Wrong Paul has been spankin’ him.
I think he thinks that more people like him than they actually do.
TheSitRep on January 19, 2008 at 9:32 PM
Phil Graham is on Fox.
That guy makes me physically sick!
TheSitRep on January 19, 2008 at 9:34 PM
SimplyKimberly,
I’m with you. The way this election is shaping up I will have a marathon LOTR or ROME viewing, and not leave my couch the whole day. I’m still a bit undecided about which one, but at least I like those two choices.
P.S. I think it will be Rome because of all that fall of the Roman Republic thing. It seems appropriate.
DFCtomm on January 19, 2008 at 9:38 PM
We didn’t call him
PhilFilthy Graham for nothing!MITX on January 19, 2008 at 9:55 PM
Phil Graham is on Fox.
That guy makes me physically sick!
TheSitRep on January 19, 2008 at 9:34 PM
——————
WHO THE HELL are you talking about?
LINDSEY Graham or PHIL Gramm, the former senator from TX?
loaner on January 19, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Ha ha I see. I was talking about [Phil ex tx senator].
But now that you mention it, that amnesty loven Lindsey can kiss my azz too.
TheSitRep on January 19, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Phil was my Democrat/Republican congressman. McCain campaigned for Phil in his doomed presidential bid. Phil, like many others, is abandoning his conservative core and returning the favor.
edgehead on January 19, 2008 at 10:48 PM
Enjoy your irrelevant status with the Libertarian Party, then.
Puritans are great, but they don’t win elections. Fact is we have to allow wrongheaded people and try to convert them, not blow them off as evil RINOs/liberals while we sulk and pout.
BKennedy on January 20, 2008 at 12:56 AM
Final Results:
33% McCain
30% Huckster Hound
16% Fred Thompson
15% Mitt Romney
04% Ron Paul
02% Rudy Giuliania
00% Duncan Hunter (announced dropping out.)
So — Fred got 3rd — so he stays in to Super Tuesday?
SunSword on January 20, 2008 at 9:22 AM
The Fred Abides.
Buttercup on January 20, 2008 at 10:27 AM
The party is basically doomed. We’ve got Clinton-lite, Shamnest McKennedy, and Mitt. If Fred goes, there’s no real choice for conservatives. As much as I hate to see it happen, maybe we need four years of Hitlery to get the GOP back on track. I’m not voting for any RINO, period. Come the general, I may just write Fred in, and be done with the GOP, cause it looks like they’ve all gone to the dark side.
jdawg on January 20, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Agreed
Bladerunner1701 on January 20, 2008 at 3:58 PM
He’s a Southerner and a nice guy. A whole lotta people don’t look at issues, but vote personality.
Tzetzes on January 21, 2008 at 12:45 AM
I have to say I was very disapointed with SC. I would hope that they could see through McAmnesty. They must not have much of an illegal problem after all…
Still would not mind a Thompson/Romney, Romney/Thompson ticket. Better than McCain. I had a nightmare that McCain won the nomination and picked Harry Reid as his running mate. A sign of “bipartisanship”. I woke up in tears!!
kcd on January 21, 2008 at 10:05 AM
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