Open thread: Polls closed in SC, too close to call; Update: Narrow lead for McCain? Update: “We are not blind to the obvious,” says senior Fred advisor; Update: Fred heads home
posted at 7:12 pm on January 19, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Barone was just on Fox saying they can’t say yet who’ll win but they know for sure who won’t — Mitt and Fred, both lagging and locked in a battle for third place. Is a 15-14 “victory” for third place enough to keep this campaign going, realistically? Nope, although he’ll be quite a thorn in Mitt’s side in Florida if he limps, especially if McCain squeaks through here.
As usual, you can follow the returns at CNN or Politico; the results have already summoned the Reaper for one GOP candidate. Heavy evangelical turnout tonight too, ominously for Huck-haters, although in fairness he’s not doing nearly as well with identity politics these days as Mitt is.
Exit question: If Huck pulls it out, will Fred send over those 25 cases of Bud?
Update: NBC’s got detailed exit polls. Maverick leads Huck by three or four points among both genders. Mitt and Fred are even among women but Romney leads by two among men.
Update: I’m not accusing Romney of playing identity politics. It’s his Mormon supporters in Nevada who are playing it. How else to explain 94% support?
Update: Fred just gave his concession speech with lots of “true conservative” boilerplate, but notably didn’t say anything about his intentions. It sounded like a farewell — “the spirit of Reagan lives on” (even if his campaign doesn’t).
Update: A chill wind blows:
While he remains in the race, two sources told CNN that “it was abundantly evident to all of us” that the bar was a win or a very competitive second place in South Carolina to continue to be viable in the GOP presidential race.
Thompson has no public schedule Sunday, and is planning to consult with campaign manager Bill Lacy and other top advisers about the next move.
“We are not blind to the obvious,” said one senior campaign adviser.
But, given the muddled course of the Republican race so far, both aides said Thompson and his advisers wanted to watch the results come in tonight before making a final decision.
When push came to shove, he just … didn’t have enough cowbell.
Update: The Reaper ain’t here yet, says Carl Cameron.
Update:? Fred’s already left the state for home in Virginia. The fact that he’s not waiting around to find out if he edged Romney for third doesn’t bode well for its significance to him.
Update: Huckabee’s getting … 12% of non-evangelical voters. Even if he wins here, his reputation as a one-trick pony who can’t win in less religious states is sealed.
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CNN is also calling it for McCain.
bnelson44 on January 19, 2008 at 9:28 PM
MSNBC is now calling it for McCain as well.
It’s still fairly close, but I wonder what Huckabee will do now that he (presumably) failed to carry the most religious state in the union?
Darnell Clayton on January 19, 2008 at 9:28 PM
Oh, OK. Solidly in 3rd being 60,000 votes behind 2nd place just seems so…….superfluous.
csdeven on January 19, 2008 at 9:29 PM
A.T.B.M.O.H
Anything
To
Beat
McCain
Or
Huck
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:29 PM
Pray. And play the religious bigotry card some more.
csdeven on January 19, 2008 at 9:29 PM
One can only hope that Huckabee endorses Romney. I don’t think he’s man enough to do it, though. He seems rather petty.
SouthernGent on January 19, 2008 at 9:29 PM
Hmmm, you are giving me ideas…..
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:30 PM
The GOP is officially dead!!
Say hello to a permanent democrat majority.
HaraldHardrada on January 19, 2008 at 9:30 PM
have to keep the evangelicals on board, the huckster does. That is one part of the Repub. coalition that a signficiant(hillary electing) portion would stay home or vote 3rd party.
Fred and Newt both have infidelity problems, especially newt.
jp on January 19, 2008 at 9:30 PM
Hannity is on. Watch….get Hannitized!!!!!
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:30 PM
Thats not LauraW is it from Aces place?
broker1 on January 19, 2008 at 9:31 PM
The GOP isn’t dead, but the moderates have taken it over.
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:31 PM
Gianni on January 19, 2008 at 9:31 PM
The One True Christian Leader endorse a guy who “believes that Jesus and the devil are brothers” – surely you jest.
Laura on January 19, 2008 at 9:32 PM
Maverick say what???
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:32 PM
“Don’t Fear the Reaper” is cool for the moment, but play “The Mistress of the Salmon Salt (Quick-Lime Girl” to remind us of what we’re up against.
ForNow on January 19, 2008 at 9:32 PM
You could have dropped out Fred!
A Mccain endorsement is sure to follow!
You Fredheads have been deceived…admit it.
HaraldHardrada on January 19, 2008 at 9:32 PM
And so… as a skinny-legged pre-teen running brochures and bumper stickers in the 1976 congressional races with a lot of passion and heart-felt belief… it has come to this.
This is what I get after more than 32 years of activity and contributions on behalf of the GOP.
This is it.
I’ll save y’all from the rest of what I’m thinking.
wccawa on January 19, 2008 at 9:32 PM
I’m not used to this moderates thing. My entire life has been spent with conservatives in charge for the most part.
So now this all seems so wrong.
SimplyKimberly on January 19, 2008 at 9:32 PM
I cannot tell you how happy I am that Huckabee is knocked out of this race!
He was so cocky he probably didn’t even have a concession speech ready.
Good bye HA commentator huckfan, popularpolitics, HaraldHadrada and all other Huckabee shills.
I am so glad Mitt stayed out of SC!
That was a brilliant strategy!
Mcguyver on January 19, 2008 at 9:33 PM
Nope. I’m LauraC from LGF though. :-)
Laura on January 19, 2008 at 9:33 PM
Huck to drop out and endorse the one and only Jesus Christ for President.
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:33 PM
Keep me posted. I have a moonbat spouse. No Fox now. Watching Frasier reruns, since EVERY other show we argue about.
CrimsonFisted on January 19, 2008 at 9:33 PM
When was that? We had a conservative from 80-88, and moderates and liberals ever since then.
Laura on January 19, 2008 at 9:34 PM
Dittos. Let’s look at the real story. Romney wins the most delegates on January 19.
Donate to the only conservative left in the race.
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:35 PM
What honor?
Since when has Huckascam had any honor?
He’s the biggest freaking shady in the race.
SimplyKimberly on January 19, 2008 at 9:35 PM
Huckabee talking about a running a clean campaign? Bwahahahahahahaha
SouthernGent on January 19, 2008 at 9:35 PM
Oh my freaking gawd. The Huckster is talking about dishonor.
I’m going to be sick. He’s going to have a LOT to answer for someday, if he’s a Christian at all.
Laura on January 19, 2008 at 9:35 PM
Ahhh Im a lizard as well. Those comment sections go 1200 posts just from one of Charles’ “Monday morning super tanker” pictures it gets crazy lol.
broker1 on January 19, 2008 at 9:35 PM
Can’t beat it….except with Cheers and Seinfeld reruns.
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:35 PM
this shmuck is sickening, honor??
stlpatriot on January 19, 2008 at 9:36 PM
i think it was as far back as oh, 2004, with a republican president, congress, supreme court majority, and majority of governorships, that i read all kinds of articles about the ‘permanent’ republican majority for the next generation. how did that work out?
truecon on January 19, 2008 at 9:36 PM
I am afraid of LGF, that place is crazy.
I love to lurk and read though.
SimplyKimberly on January 19, 2008 at 9:36 PM
Well I hope Fred sticks it out through Super Tuesday at least. It does look more and more like we will have a Democrat president, all that remains is to see if it is a MoveOn type or the DNC type. The message I am taking from this is that the Republicans are no longer a party of conservatives. It looks like I too will have to head down the Independent path.
Just A Grunt on January 19, 2008 at 9:36 PM
When I hear, I’m out from Freds lips,then
I’ll quit believen!
canopfor on January 19, 2008 at 9:36 PM
That sly little b*****d….
Donate to the only conservative left in the race.
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:37 PM
Love the lizards…. great place.
Defensor Fortis
mo_gunslinger on January 19, 2008 at 9:37 PM
I skim the comments, and hang out in the Lounge from time to time.
Laura on January 19, 2008 at 9:37 PM
And who exactly do you think the Huckster would endorse? I’ve got a pretty good idea…
Gianni on January 19, 2008 at 9:37 PM
And the moderates have done so well for the GOP lately, haven’t they? /snark off
Hopefully, Fred won’t make it official (and he shouldn’t) until Feb. 6th. If he holds off until then, he’ll at least be on my Texas ballot. Mitt only will get my reluctant vote in the general. And he sure will not be any work or money from me.
michaelo on January 19, 2008 at 9:38 PM
Is he dropping out now? Please tell me he is out.
SimplyKimberly on January 19, 2008 at 9:38 PM
If Fred stays in till Super Tuesday, I fear we will have a liberal as the Republican nominee.
Donate to the only conservative left in the race.
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:38 PM
Ya know, say what you will about Bush. As a lame duck Pres. he pretty much gave the Democrats the finger in his last 2 years on EVERYTHING, and won. He asked and got everything he wanted and said NO to everything the Dems wanted.
If any R wins this get ready for BIPARTISANSHIP.
Let me know how that works out.
broker1 on January 19, 2008 at 9:39 PM
Yeah, that must be why he ran against Ted Kennedy and disagrees with him across the board on issues.
Ready to cry Uncle on this theory yet?
************
Huckabee is thanking people calling from Europe on their cell phones to get out the vote?????
Buy Danish on January 19, 2008 at 9:39 PM
I wish I could tell you that.
Donate to the only conservative left in the race.
Is Huck using the “invisible” line? That is right out of the Hill playbook. Gosh, what a phony….
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:40 PM
Without Fred that is all you have left regardless of which letter is behind the name. McCain, Guilani, Huckster, and Romney are all Dem Lite® and Hillary and Obama are Move on Dems.
Just A Grunt on January 19, 2008 at 9:40 PM
Huck won’t endorse Rudy (abortion), Romney (in his view, heathen or worse), Fred (they have almost nothing in common) so that leaves McAmnesty, with whom he has a LOT in common. Or maybe John Edwards, with whom he has the most in common.
Laura on January 19, 2008 at 9:40 PM
Seriously….who is gonna vote for who Frenchy tells them to vote for? I think he might have been talking about military folks, though.
Donate to the only conservative left in the race.
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:41 PM
I wish I could tell you that.
Donate to the only conservative left in the race.
Is Huck using the “invisible” line? That is right out of the Hill playbook. Gosh, what a phony….
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:40 PM
Knock it off, prick.
wccawa on January 19, 2008 at 9:41 PM
Your candidate lost. It’s not Fred’s fault. It’s your candidate’s fault. He did not do as well among his evangelical base as you had hoped. Huckster’s done.
Now if McCain can go down in Florida I’ll be happy. I’m still for Fred. If he drops I’ll hold my nose and vote for Rudy or Mitt in the Florida primary. If we can knock out McCain in Florida I will vote in the general. If McCain is the nominee I’ll be at home!
jwp1964 on January 19, 2008 at 9:41 PM
Conservatives in the race live on as Mitt and Rudy focus on the Sunshine State.
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:17 PM
Rudy? Conservative? Pro-choice, sued gun manufacturers, sheltered illegal aliens, Rudy?
Rudy’s got a lot of things in his favor, but he’s still no conservative.
Mitt? Not really a conservative, either. But at least he’s running as a conservative, and we can hope he might be consistent with that in office. But if elected, I bet he compromises repeatedly to get along with the Democrats, because he’s not conservative in his soul.
Huckabee would make wonderful conservative speeches when talking about broad principles. Then he would give in to liberals on all the details. Worse than Romney.
Rudy, for all his faults, at least seems to me that he would keep his promises to the people who elect him. And I’d rather have Rudy making decisions on the war on terror than McCain.
McCain just doesn’t have the temperament to be president. When he’s good, he’s very, very good. But his thin skin and love of populist issues that happen to be popular with the media would not be a good thing. This is the man who brought us Campaign Finance Reform even though it makes some political speech illegal, undercut the threat of the “nuclear option” to force the Senate to stop filibustering good judicial nominees, attacked virtually any harsh interrogation techniques as “torture” so he could take a stand against them, and is anxious to extend full Geneva Convention rights to terrorists as if they were honorable enemy soldiers. And he doesn’t seem to be willing to stand up to criticism.
One thing for sure: I don’t plan to vote for McCain or Huckabee. Frankly, McCain should be happy any evangelical voted for him after the way he pandered to the media by denouncing their favorite bogeyman, the Christian Right, in the 2000 election.
Gotta tell ya, after looking at the current field of candidates, George W Bush looks better and better. In fact, George H.W. Bush starts looking pretty good.
theregoestheneighborhood on January 19, 2008 at 9:41 PM
Oh lordy! Huck plays the class politics card.
Reprehensible bigot.
csdeven on January 19, 2008 at 9:41 PM
Fred! is still in at this point and he has my vote.
I’m not signing anything away yet.
SimplyKimberly on January 19, 2008 at 9:41 PM
See my past comments on arrogant FredHeads…..
Donate to the only conservative left in the race.
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:42 PM
Oh crap. The lightweight RINO is still in.
SimplyKimberly on January 19, 2008 at 9:42 PM
WHAT A TOTAL JACKASS!!
HE WAS SURE THAT HE’S GOING TO WIN TONIGHT!
Mcguyver on January 19, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Yup. You gotta have faith. I’ll stick with him, too.
wccawa on January 19, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Knock what off? Let’s not call people “prick” (who still uses that, anyway?) without citing reasons.
Donate to the only conservative left in the race.
Oh, is that what pisses you off???? :) Okay….
Donate to the only conservative left in the race.
Donate to the only conservative left in the race.
Donate to the only conservative left in the race.
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:43 PM
I am afraid of LGF,that place is crazy.
I love to lurk and read though.
SimplyKimberly on January 19,2008 at 9:36PM.
SimplyKimberly: So,your a lurk reader eh,haha
canopfor on January 19, 2008 at 9:43 PM
C’mon, AP. Don’t you guys have some sort of policy about this? This guy would be in my junk e-mail filter inside of two seconds.
wccawa on January 19, 2008 at 9:44 PM
Awww… You weren’t supposed to tell him. I wanted to see who he thought the Huckster would endorse.
Gianni on January 19, 2008 at 9:45 PM
I hope he heeds El Rushbos advice. Rush said he should stay in until Super Tuesday when the REAL conservative states are in play. Not the bible thumping, mormon identity politcis playing, voters are going to go vote.
Rush was pissed, he said “Its 4 states people!!!! 4 states!! get over it!! He shouldnt drop out!”
broker1 on January 19, 2008 at 9:45 PM
Without Fred, I am afraid that for the first time in 32 years I won’t vote. There is nobody to vote for that I feel would look out for the best interests of the country and what Europeans or Middle Easterners think of us isn’t the top of the priority list.
Just A Grunt on January 19, 2008 at 9:45 PM
If I’m not mistaken, a couple of FredHeads did it in the past.
So here ya go…
Donate to the only conservative left in the race.
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:45 PM
Ok, I’m outta here. You guys clean up the spam.
What a waste this site has become.
wccawa on January 19, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Hey guys let malan89 post links for Mitt campaign pledges, we did. Good luck to him.
broker1 on January 19, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Please hold my hair as I throw up. That comment made me sick!!!
Texas Gal on January 19, 2008 at 9:47 PM
FNC is making it sound like all the Evangelicals get together and all pick one candidate to vote for.
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:47 PM
Then sign up now!
pedestrian on January 19, 2008 at 9:47 PM
Tell me about it. I’m an evangelical and I’m voting for Fred!
SimplyKimberly on January 19, 2008 at 9:48 PM
I need to sit down. I am not feeling well. Perhaps Bill Clinton was right—there is some strange stuff going on with the voting!
I need to leave for a while and have a good cry. :(
USBB on January 19, 2008 at 9:48 PM
How is that spam? If I’m not mistaken, most of the people here care about conservative values. I’m just directing them to a place where they can support those values.
Donate to the only conservative left in the race.
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Hey guys let malan89 post links for Mitt campaign pledges, we did. Good luck to him.
broker1 on January 19, 2008 at 9:46 PM
i plan on going to Mitt if Fred does bow out.. but if you notice hes trashing Fred supporters and asking for them to donate in the same post, lmfao
stlpatriot on January 19, 2008 at 9:49 PM
I don’t trash Fred supporters. Most of them share my values. I only trash the very few that behave like crazy PaulNuts.
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:50 PM
Hmmm. You keep linking to the wrong site. Let me help.
Donate to the only conservative left in the race.
Muuuuuch better.
theregoestheneighborhood on January 19, 2008 at 9:51 PM
pedestrian
I won’t join the Democrats. They have spit on and criticised, and caused the death of too many of my brothers in arms. I won’t forget and I won’t forgive. They think we are victims and the only foreign policy postion they have is arguing with each other over who can get the troops out of Iraq the quickest.
Just A Grunt on January 19, 2008 at 9:51 PM
I wonder if the Fredheads ever envisioned the day that they had to eat crow? After the months and months of insults, the word comeuppance comes to mind.
But it ain’t over. We still have another 10 months of the “everyone who didn’t support Fred are idiots” shtick.
csdeven on January 19, 2008 at 9:51 PM
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:50 PM
/salute
stlpatriot on January 19, 2008 at 9:51 PM
Actually the more I think about this….Huckabee’s chances now are better than ever!!
Fred drops out and Huckabee wins florida in a landslide and then goes onto win the nomination with the momentum from iowa and florida victories and several strong second places!!
If Fred would have dropped out earlier this would have been 47% Huckabee to Mccain’s 33%!
HaraldHardrada on January 19, 2008 at 9:51 PM
With McCain as the nominee there will be absolutely no difference! I’m not going to make a choice between a RINO and a democrap!
jwp1964 on January 19, 2008 at 9:51 PM
LOL after a bottle of wine and Freds loss sinking in that is by far the funniest post I have seen tonight LOL.
broker1 on January 19, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Whose idea was it to hire Novak? That guy is older than McCain!
fourstringfuror on January 19, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Too bad he’s not a viable candidate. I’d love to see a Fred win. That would be awesome…but it’s not gonna happen.
Donate to the only VIABLE conservative left in the race.
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:53 PM
Actually the more I think about this….Huckabee’s chances now are better than ever!!
Fred drops out and Huckabee wins florida in a landslide and then goes onto win the nomination with the momentum from iowa and florida victories and several strong second places!!
If Fred would have dropped out earlier this would have been 47% Huckabee to Mccain’s 33%!
HaraldHardrada on January 19, 2008 at 9:51 PM
lol, he got 12% of the non-jesus vote… in SC…
Dream on loser, shmucks done
stlpatriot on January 19, 2008 at 9:53 PM
jwp1964 on January 19, 2008 at 9:51 PM
I hear you on that!
HaraldHardrada on January 19, 2008 at 9:54 PM
Ditto. I remember that Gang of 14 crap, the trashing of evangelicals in 2000, the amnesty bill he tried to cram down America’s throat and oh so many more blood pressure rising events.
McLiar may be on the ticket in November, but he won’t get my vote. Take that to the bank.
SimplyKimberly on January 19, 2008 at 9:55 PM
Now, NOW after all this does the media suddenly remember Shamnesty, McCain Feingold and Gang of 14.
I hate those people. I really do.
Laura on January 19, 2008 at 9:55 PM
In think he’s still on the FOX payroll .. so he’s a freebee.
Texas Gal on January 19, 2008 at 9:55 PM
Everybody’s going to have to their senses and vote for Huckabee… faced with the horrible prospect of a Mccain nomination!
HaraldHardrada on January 19, 2008 at 9:55 PM
Damn brotha, I thought you came a long way. Us Fred supporters had a vision in a long shot. It didnt happen. As I said a few minutes ago, I will put my arm around you if your boy doesnt win. But you are really surprising me sliding back down to the vile you used to post when you first joined.
A shame.
broker1 on January 19, 2008 at 9:55 PM
Phew! Now I can sleep easy tonight….
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:55 PM
Actually csdeven, it’s looking like you can anticipate 4 years of it. But don’t worry, you’ll be agreeing with us long before 2012.
Laura on January 19, 2008 at 9:56 PM
i don’t know you, and i don’t mean this personally, but what are the odds that this guy is back within 24 hours? i say there is no chance he is not back. i always love commentators who make a big show about leaving in the (possibly subconcious, probably blatant) hopes that people will cry out in protest and beg for their return, only to realize in the end that nobody cares (in this environment, anyway), and come slinking back in to complain some more. it is funny, and a little pathetic, to me. i think people who are really fed up and plan on leaving, just do so. just a thought for future grandstanders.
truecon on January 19, 2008 at 9:56 PM
malan89, knock it off. You’re coming off as something between a troll and a spambot. Four times in a previous post is ENOUGH already.
Dark-Star on January 19, 2008 at 9:56 PM
I think he was saying that Novak is appearing on behalf of McCain’s campaign.
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:56 PM
What’s up with Florence County? Nothing on either TV station there about problems. WEIRD!
SouthernGent on January 19, 2008 at 9:57 PM
I’m sorry if I care about the future of our country.
Donate to the only conservative left in the race.
malan89 on January 19, 2008 at 9:57 PM
Fred pulled a fast one on all you fredheads….watch for the mcvain endorsement!!!
HaraldHardrada on January 19, 2008 at 9:57 PM
Everybody’s going to have to their senses and vote for Huckabee… faced with the horrible prospect of a Mccain nomination!
HaraldHardrada on January 19, 2008 at 9:55 PM
naa.. but we will do all we can to keep your pandering shmuck from winning it…
Mitt
Rudy
McVain
Satan
Britney
Shmuck
stlpatriot on January 19, 2008 at 9:57 PM
You know better than that. I an specifically referencing those Fredheads that are calling people all kinds of vile names. I know that you and many other Fredheads will let bygones be bygones.
I wish Fred had done better, but I think he just had too little, too late.
csdeven on January 19, 2008 at 9:58 PM
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