Report: Fred dropping out; Update: Confirmed; Update: What went wrong? Update: The man who stopped Huckmentum
posted at 2:18 pm on January 22, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Ambinder says so and Carl Cameron is reporting it on Fox now. Stand by for updates.
Update: Cameron says it could come tonight or tomorrow. He’s already informed his campaign headquarters, in person.
Update: The website hadn’t been updated in four days. The “Fred File feed” is already offline.
Update: Here’s the official statement via his web guy, Jon Henke:
McLean, VA - Senator Fred Thompson today issued the following statement about his campaign for President:
“Today I have withdrawn my candidacy for President of the United States. I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort. Jeri and I will always be grateful for the encouragement and friendship of so many wonderful people.”
Update: The problem in one word: Not laziness but disorganization. Karl’s been doing yeoman’s work at Goldstein’s place lately tracking how Hillary managed to eke out wins against Obama despite the fact that he’s well-funded and light years more charismatic than she is. Read this post and follow the links to the Las Vegas Sun and, especially, to Zak Exley to see what it takes. The media likes sexy/dopey pop-psych narratives about election-eve crying and racial jabs, but organization matters — a lot, a rule Fred always seemed to believe he could ignore by counting on his True Conservative status to carry him through. Again I point you to this Mark Steyn post, or to MM’s tale of how his people couldn’t pull it together to get 500 signatures in Delaware. If the lesson (or one of the lessons) of Ron Paul’s newsletter fiasco was that you can’t trust a guy to manage a country if he can’t manage his own vanity publication, how can you trust a guy who can’t figure out how to get on the ballot in all 50 states?
So I’m chalking it up to disorganization. The alternative, that Bush killed the Reagan coalition dead and left Thompson types inviable no matter how efficiently their machines might run, is simply too terrible to contemplate.
Update: He served up the red meat, says Geraghty, but he didn’t char-grill it.
Update: I fear this news calls for anti-humpbot.
Update: Mitt’s race to lose now in Florida?
Update: I flagged these links after the South Carolina but we’re in obit mode here so let’s bring them back. What’s the legacy of Fred’s campaign? Disappointment and disorganization, yes, but something else too:
The reaction from Marvin Katzen, the McCain supporter who told us earlier in the evening that he was looking for vindication from the 2000 loss to tonight’s win: “Thank God for Fred Thompson.” Katzen credits McCain’s victory to the fact that Thompson split the conservative evangelical vote with Mike Huckabee in Upstate.
“While well behind and tied for third place with Romney, Thompson did make gains,” wrote Thomas Edsall, “and the data suggest that the 6 points Thompson picked up came out of Huckabee’s hide.” Huck’s own people admitted as much. It falls to Romney to finish McCain but Fred can claim a moral victory in having dispatched the demagogue.
Update: If you believe ARG, and you probably shouldn’t, McCain’s lead in Florida is now large enough that picking up Fred’s supporters won’t matter to Mitt.
Update: A wistful eulogy from Spruiell.
Update: Rich Galen, a now former Fred advisor, is pushing his man for veep.
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I like Rudy, he’s smart and tough. I back Romney because he has less baggage than Rudy, Rudy will never get evangelical vote, nasty divorce etc, and I don’t like the fact that he ducked Hillary before.
Mitt is a aqueaky clean family man with a great track record in business. He’s also running a very smart campaign, and has been building his organization in Florida for a year. He will match up well against Hillary or Obama and don’t quote national polls, they mean nothing right now. I think Mitt or Rudy would do well in debates against Dem candidate, but give Mitt the edge en electability. I think the smart money will go to him if he does well in Florida
windansea on January 22, 2008 at 3:36 PM
One has a history of sanctuary policies. One does not.
MadisonConservative on January 22, 2008 at 3:38 PM
Illegal immigration for one.
Spirit of 1776 on January 22, 2008 at 3:38 PM
Sign me up!
ihasurnominashun on January 22, 2008 at 3:38 PM
If Fred wants to be VP then he won’t endorse anyone right now.
bnelson44 on January 22, 2008 at 3:38 PM
On Fox, Mitt is giving due props to Fred.
Nice.
csdeven on January 22, 2008 at 3:38 PM
Actually Rudy is more likely to get evangelical vote.
Pat Roberson endorsed Rudy. I came from the Rudy camp also.
However, both Romney and Giuliani are non starters.
Don’t waste your money on Romney… he’s unelectable
HaraldHardrada on January 22, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Good they all should.
bnelson44 on January 22, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Juan Plantation Strawberries McVano is very much awake to and smelling what he is shoveling and he loves it.
Giving Americans The Bird and getting away with it, he is like un cerdo de mierda.
It is probably the nearest thing he has to an orgasm these days.
MB4 on January 22, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Thanks.
thirteen28 on January 22, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Too bad, I really like him, could see him as a president. I began to think that he just launched a campaign to get people to stop asking him to run.
ThePrez on January 22, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Its time to leave the wailing to those who do it best and get this party started.
To avoid a miscarriage in the form of a brokered convention, Go Mitt Go!
Speakup on January 22, 2008 at 3:39 PM
The groundwork for just such a party is already underway. Take a look.
Just A Grunt on January 22, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Hallalujha, amen, pass the Romney ticket!
kcd on January 22, 2008 at 3:39 PM
I’m sure glad that CS ‘grew up’ and moderated his anti-fred tone. Now Tommylotto is the only major league anal cavity around here.
I don’t think I could stand coming to HotAir regularly if there were any more like him.
Oh sure there are a few shills that may have no clue what conservative really means, or that think religion completely trumps rationality, but they are pretty easy to ignore most of the time, like the mental incompetent muttering on a park bench.
LegendHasIt on January 22, 2008 at 3:39 PM
I feel like the doll on the island of misfit toys…”I don’t have any more dreams left to dream. So now do I vote my conscience (fred if he is still on the ballot…first choice, The CONSTITUTION party candidate…second choice, Mitt Romney as the sligly right of center beginning of the slide into the lesser of two evils..this is the dividing line…any of the remaining RINOS or just flat out vote for Hillary. Because at least under Hillarys watchful eye we will be attacked (she will know it was coming…of course we won’t find out until decades later) and she will be able to protect us all by decalring Marshal Law, suspending Habeous Corpus,taking our guns (to protect us mind you!) I guess I really didn’t want to spend money on a firearm this year anyhow….I need to prepare now to totally get out of debt for the coming depression…but then again I might want the firearm to give myself a sporting chance against chaos in the streets! You heard it hear first folks!
RedLizard64 on January 22, 2008 at 3:40 PM
That may only be true in the Bible Belt.
bnelson44 on January 22, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Illegal immigration, married to the same woman, successful business man that knows how to handle money, and he doesn’t have that annoying New York accent. ;-)
cannonball on January 22, 2008 at 3:40 PM
I respectfully agree. Aren’t we as Christians called to piety? Aren’t we supposed our live our lives with such integrity and goodness that we don’t HAVE to hit other people over the head with who we serve? Shouldn’t non-believers observe the way we live and be attracted to us and ask us “How do you have such a great attitude? What carries you though?” then it is our life that brings people to us such that we then have the chance to share our faith.
JustTruth101 on January 22, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Such a movement will only succeed in giving the election to Hillary.
bnelson44 on January 22, 2008 at 3:41 PM
Some nice words by Mitt there on Fred.
Spirit of 1776 on January 22, 2008 at 3:41 PM
I have a Brother in Florida. He is strongly anti immigrant and hates McCain. I almost had him convinced to vote for Fred.
Sad thing is now with Fred out I think he is going to vote Ron Paul. That really sickens me. My Bro is ex Military and the apulies have been working on him. Hes convinced that Paul is a big anti Government type and that is what he likes.
SO this is a loss for me.
William Amos on January 22, 2008 at 3:41 PM
Too bad, I really like him, could see him as a president. I began to think that he just launched a campaign to
get people to stop asking him to runto fill one conservative slot and guarantee the other conservative candidate doesn’t win.ThePrez on January 22, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Fixed it.
HaraldHardrada on January 22, 2008 at 3:41 PM
Hey, did I just hear Romney, personally, say that Fred would be a good VP choice for whoever gets the nomination?
They were having satellite problems and the interview was ’stuttering’, but it sounded like he was saying that.
LegendHasIt on January 22, 2008 at 3:42 PM
Don’t bother reading HaryHarHar…he’s a moron
kcd on January 22, 2008 at 3:42 PM
Just thinking of that creep celebrating today, gives me the strength to stay in this fight.
RushBaby on January 22, 2008 at 3:42 PM
In March, I will put a gas mask on march down to the polls, cast my vote for Mitt and hurry home to take a long bath with Lava soap. In November, I’ll join the Bataan Death March into the polls, hoping we don’t quite reach the level of the 1964 Goldwater debacle.
michaelo on January 22, 2008 at 3:42 PM
i just heard Mitt say that haveing Fred as a VP would be a wonderful thing… to keep the Reagan coalition together, in his words…. this was on fox just now, and supporters in the backgroud clapped and cheered when he said so..
I’ll take that all day long over ANY other ticket..
Mitt/Fred ‘08
stlpatriot on January 22, 2008 at 3:42 PM
True enough, but his proposal was to have balanced the outlays with tax intake, which is really a pretty amenable policy position. Though I agree with your underlying point, that getting our money back is preferable to not getting it back.
Vizzini on January 22, 2008 at 3:42 PM
You could be right in that no Republican may be electable this year.
Of course, they said that Reagan was unelectable too. How did that work out?
Certainly The High Reverend Huckster is unelectable this year. Of course he would be unelectable any year.
MB4 on January 22, 2008 at 3:43 PM
Why wait until then?
ConservativePartyNow on January 22, 2008 at 3:43 PM
Did a bang-up job with the SLC Olympics.
eLarson on January 22, 2008 at 3:43 PM
linky no worky
RushBaby on January 22, 2008 at 3:44 PM
The Paulentologists are trying to court the FredHeads.
BohicaTwentyTwo on January 22, 2008 at 3:44 PM
:’ (
Jockolantern on January 22, 2008 at 3:45 PM
Romney in his own words proving he is a hypocrite and a fraud.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToQbeBC_fOI
HaraldHardrada on January 22, 2008 at 3:45 PM
Have fun with your .5% revolution.
Vizzini on January 22, 2008 at 3:45 PM
Wow…
RushBaby on January 22, 2008 at 3:46 PM
This may have already been said, but thank you, Fred. Because of you I will not have to see another f’ing moderator ask for a show of hands. Thank you, again, and I hope we see you around.
KelliD on January 22, 2008 at 3:46 PM
All of Mexico must be celebrating Freds’ withdrawal. If Cain gets the nomination there will be only democ-rats running. Rest assured, Cain or the Clintons or Barracko will never ever build a fence. Our country will be overrun more than ever by the worst scum & villainy from around the world. Whoever of the three get in will make sure all that are here are made citizens and anybody who can just show up here will be automaticly citizens from now on. Be prepared for more hospital closings nationwide, much higher taxes to care and feed all the aliens, now citizens, overcrowded schools and lastly, requirment for all the rest of us to learn spanish. Keep your powder dry people, you’re going to need it. mexicans do not like Gringoes.
countywolf on January 22, 2008 at 3:46 PM
I liked Fred but his Hollywood persona never fit reality. His one big opportunity in the Senate was his committee to investigate Clinton/Gore ‘96. John Glenn and the Dem’s completely sandbagged him by demanding/getting time limits then running out the clock with obfuscations while refusing to hear witnesses. The gray imminence behind his campaign announcement was Howard Baker. Baker can be remembered as one of the more ineffectual Senate Minority leaders and not terribly conservative.
Still I wished him well and prefered him to Mitt. If he now endorses that MadMick in Goldwater’s seat I will personally track him down and shoot him.
i b squidly on January 22, 2008 at 3:46 PM
HaraldHardrada on January 22, 2008 at 3:45 PM
and your boys about to be completely pwnd.. You won’t get 10% of Fred’s supporters… Give it up, shmuck is done
stlpatriot on January 22, 2008 at 3:47 PM
ha, ha, ha, where? This I gotta see!
RushBaby on January 22, 2008 at 3:47 PM
since you’ve
correctlytotally batted zero in predicting where Fredheads will go I think we can say you a non-starterNot one Fredhead on this thread has said he will go to Hucknshuck, zero,nada,nyet,ninguna
you’ve got that going for ya
windansea on January 22, 2008 at 3:48 PM
I just had an epiphany, or maybe indigestion.
If Fred had just gotten a face lift a year ago he might be the front runner now.
Of if Romney had just broken his nose a year ago, he might be the front runner now.
MB4 on January 22, 2008 at 3:48 PM
Sure we do.
Most of your food is terrible, though.
Slublog on January 22, 2008 at 3:48 PM
i just heard Mitt say that haveing Fred as a VP would be a
Could it be!!???
kcd on January 22, 2008 at 3:48 PM
Obviously beliefs of people here are not indicative of America as a whole.
HaraldHardrada on January 22, 2008 at 3:49 PM
RushBaby on January 22, 2008 at 3:46 PM
i’m serious, thats exactly how it went down.. through all the choppy phone-link crap… Carl will definately talk about what he said, as Mitt was the first to talk about Fred’s withdrawl
stlpatriot on January 22, 2008 at 3:49 PM
In CA. many people have already mailed in their ballots, and I know quite a few voted for Fred.
calgrammy on January 22, 2008 at 3:49 PM
gosh, you’ve beaten that drum for so long your palm must be sore, or could it be …..
Onager on January 22, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Fixed
Just A Grunt on January 22, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Heh. Where’s officer Patty O’Irony when you need him.
Slublog on January 22, 2008 at 3:49 PM
HaraldHardrada on January 22, 2008 at 3:49 PM
no…. just you
stlpatriot on January 22, 2008 at 3:50 PM
You really are wasting your time and our electrons Harald.
I hope you are at least getting PAID by the Huckster to shill for him. because otherwise, it is an exercise in futility.
LegendHasIt on January 22, 2008 at 3:51 PM
why would you assume that would keep the party together? Neither one is a small government conservative, which means excluding the ficon wing of the party, and is probably going to be a bad idea when the campaign is about the economy. Both of them would likely offend the Law & Order conservatives for amnesty & his pardon record respectively.
So ask yourself, is it likely that a McCain/Huckabee ticket would overcome these big negatives and pull enough from the democrats, to take the mushy middle with a dispirited base?
Canadian Imperialist Running Dog on January 22, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Ha! If that is the case then which of the remaining bowls of porridge is “just right.”
Weight of Glory on January 22, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Now that Fred! is officially out, I am ready to join you on the Mitt bandwagon. I would dearly love to see Fred! as Mitt’s VP. Fred! is very smart, knows the Constitution and what it stands inside and out, and seems to love policy. He and Mitt agree about the economic disaster that is awaiting due to the shaky foundation of the government entitlement plans. Both are stong on defense and social concerns. Fred! as VP will keep the conservative movement alive.
Fred!’s contribution to this campaign season was to keep the conservative voice alive to expose the positions of Huckleberry and Juan. If Fred! had to go, at least he went out like a true patriot by throwing himself on the Huckleberry grenade in order to save the party.
Go Mitt!
Mallard T. Drake on January 22, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Two slim wins, does not an America make.
kcd on January 22, 2008 at 3:51 PM
To be honest would be stupid of fred to take Mitt Romney’s #2 spot.
Mitt would like run again in 4 years and Fred would be 77 at the end of two Mitt terms.
Fred would be better off staying out and hoping for a Romney loss in november.
William Amos on January 22, 2008 at 3:51 PM
I’m over by Lake Geneva… I’ll buy the first half-dozen rounds of Guinness if you get the other, Madison…
Personally, the wind has left my sails (even more than after the Packers lost). For the first time in my voting career (since 1993), I am considering staying home…
Hillary would be a better choice than McCain, Mitt or Huck in my opinion. That way, when it does go down the crapper, a Republican doesn’t get the blame.
Somehow, some way, disasters in 2010 will still be Bush’s fault. Buy stocks in hard alcohol folks, this Cheeseheads gonna drink tonight…
Signalfire_WI on January 22, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Got it, thanks!
RushBaby on January 22, 2008 at 3:52 PM
This is my pre-postmortem of the Thompson campaign.
I think Fred’s dropping out without trying to change his campaigning style is a clear enough indication that he never had the heart to rip into his buddy John McCain.
Bill C on January 22, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Actually Goldwater’s landslide defeat (61%-39%) was mostly because of the sympathy that Democrats and LBJ got from JFK’s assassination and voters not wanting to change Presidents again so fast.
JFK was actually in Dallas as he was losing support nationally and particularly in the south. He was leading Goldwater by “only’ 55% to 45% in the polls.
Not that Goldwater would have beat JFK very likely, but it would have been a lot closer.
MB4 on January 22, 2008 at 3:55 PM
And that differs from any other night for a Wisconsinite exactly how?
Hollowpoint on January 22, 2008 at 3:55 PM
Yeah, but he’s a moron when it comes to understanding the importance of checks and balances and the power of precedent in the interpretation of laws.
Big S on January 22, 2008 at 3:55 PM
Oh good god…Delavan? My hometown till I turned 18. Is Little Mexico still looking more like the border every day?
MadisonConservative on January 22, 2008 at 3:56 PM
Have you met HaraldHardrada yet?
Mallard T. Drake on January 22, 2008 at 3:56 PM
How so?
Mallard T. Drake on January 22, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Haha… Good one Mallard!
Nineball on January 22, 2008 at 3:59 PM
classy move by Mitt, of course he’s just pandering to the Fredheads :) I’m kidding, it would be a great ticket.
windansea on January 22, 2008 at 3:59 PM
I’m sorry to see Fred leaving the race. I hope he will be back; he’d make a terrific VP.
I blame myself; I sent him money just before the SC Primary. In 1992, 1996 and 2000, every candidate I sent cash to, dropped out within a week.
hmmm…ten dollars to Huckabee, comin’ right up.
sulla on January 22, 2008 at 4:01 PM
hmmm…ten dollars to Huckabee, comin’ right up.
sulla on January 22, 2008 at 4:01 PM
lmao
stlpatriot on January 22, 2008 at 4:01 PM
LOL sulla
RushBaby on January 22, 2008 at 4:01 PM
I think fred supporters are the smartest conservatives(besides Huck supporters of course).
I agree with fred’s message. I just don’t believe him.
But how someone can support any of the other phony rino candidates bewilders me.
HaraldHardrada on January 22, 2008 at 4:01 PM
Thanks ;)
Spirit of 1776 on January 22, 2008 at 4:02 PM
project much? Fred probably cares about America a bit more than that.
windansea on January 22, 2008 at 4:02 PM
(repeat of my MM post)
With Tancredo, Hunter, and now Thompson out of the race, Mitt is the ONLY chance to defeat Shamnesty ‘09. We have all got to get behind Mitt because of this single issue.
Tax policy and government programs can always be reversed by the next Congress or administration, but if and when up to 30 million illegal aliens are awarded PERMANENT residency and a ‘pathway’ to citizenship, it will be the single biggest transformational mistake this century.
In a single business day, Z visa applicants gain permanent residency with no time for a background check nor health check. And if you think that will ’solve’ the problem, look out for the NEXT 30 million, packing their duffel bags and starting the hike north, to take their places. No fence (and we need one!), no matter how high and wide, will ever stop the flood if we keep offering enticements, rewards, and benefits.
Attrition by enforcement is working; we must let it continue to work before Shamnesty ‘09.
McCain, Huck, or Rudy will give us more of this.
fred5678 on January 22, 2008 at 4:02 PM
No kidding. Fred lying about having a theology degree did it for me. I can’t stand that kind of lying for pandering.
Spirit of 1776 on January 22, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Mitt/Fred ‘08
OKCubsFan on January 22, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Interesting. Reading between the lines, you admit that I know what conservatism means, I am not religiously irrational, and I’m difficult to ignore. That is because I was right about Fred. My points were valid and someone needed to break up the echo chamber. Plus I have a sense of humor ;-)
tommylotto on January 22, 2008 at 4:03 PM
So is Paris Hilton. I guess that puts the two of you on the same intellectual level.
MadisonConservative on January 22, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Yeah, and that ridiculous lie Fred told about the supreme court forcing him to raise taxes? Unbelievable.
Slublog on January 22, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Probably because Huck can’t hide what he did in Arkansas or during this campaign.
a capella on January 22, 2008 at 4:05 PM
No, it was just pandering. Pandering is all Mitt knows how to do.
With Fred gone I really do wish there was an acceptable second choice I could vote for. Mitt blew it for me starting at his first debate performance with his Big Government, gun-grabbing enthusiasm and ending with his sleazy, shameless pandering.
I have no problem with those who’ll hold their nose and vote for Romney, but count me out. Ditto for El Rudolpho, McBackstabber, and the lying Huckster.
Hollowpoint on January 22, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Of course.
He is usually pretty easy to ignore. Kind of like the mental defective muttering on the park bench. He usually invites pity, not outrage.
Tommy is the loud, aggressive, obnoxious drunk right, in your face. Kind of hard to ignore, but very easy to despise.
LegendHasIt on January 22, 2008 at 4:06 PM
Romney on Hannity radio show this hour.
fred5678 on January 22, 2008 at 4:07 PM
the conservative movement in America is dead… even the republicans are really just liberals in the closet, I think I’ll vote for Hillary and give them all what they want…
it’s a dark, dark day in the land of the free…
Kaptain Amerika on January 22, 2008 at 4:07 PM
Let me introduce you to the mirror so that you can ask your question again.
Mallard T. Drake on January 22, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Do you even hear yourself? Do you read any news on Huckabee besides what’s on his website?
Good God, you are either delusional or a hack. I can’t figure out which.
SouthernDem on January 22, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Oh, and RIP Fred. I was in his corner.
SouthernDem on January 22, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Yo AP,
Could you post the Romney tribute to Fred?
No TV here.
CABE on January 22, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Good grief. The conservative movement is bigger than one candidate.
Slublog on January 22, 2008 at 4:09 PM
If you’re going hardcore Marxist, KA, at least vote for Obama. His voice is easier to take than The Hill’s by an order of magnitude.
eLarson on January 22, 2008 at 4:09 PM
The two of you agreeing, especially on anti McCain/Huckabee, makes this lady happy :)
On the Goldwater/Kennedy discussion - I’ve always believed and continue to, that would president Kennedy not have been assassinated, he would not have gone in history as a great one. He made a few great decisions, and a few really stupid ones. Other than that it was much hype/style. He might not even have been re-elected, but of course it’s mute.
Entelechy on January 22, 2008 at 4:10 PM
LegendHasIt on January 22, 2008 at 4:06 PM
Yeah. I know you have to resort to personal attacks because you’re a mormon and mad that that I exposed your cult and your cult leader candidate as an unelectable candidate.
Whatever.
HaraldHardrada on January 22, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Much bigger than one candidate… but represented by none of the current ones.
Hollowpoint on January 22, 2008 at 4:11 PM
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