Fred: Confusion, Fear or Purposeful Misinformation?

As the circus in Iowa reaches its crescendo, two conflicting reports come out about Fred. One states he will drop out of the presidential race and give his support to McCain if he places less than third; the other shows a surge in support for Fred.

First, we'll address the issue of whether or not he'll drop out of the presidential race.

Jonathan Martin and Mike Allen of The Politico post a January 2, 2008 report:

A Thompson campaign source said there is “a strong likelihood” that if Thompson comes in a distant third in Iowa, with less than 15 percent of the vote, he would drop out soon—most likely before this weekend’s New Hampshire presidential debates.

The Thompson sources said they were describing a consensus expectation that is now widespread among his political circle, not announcing a decision that the candidate himself has definitively reached.

and:

Trying to fend off rumors about an impending demise of the campaign, Thompson issued a news release Wednesday afternoon saying he plans to participate in debates in New Hampshire on Saturday and Sunday. Thompson was alone in issuing such a release: No other campaign thought that was necessary.

Despite the air of doom hovering over his candidacy, Thompson has not yet shared his intentions with the campaign or indicated to friends that he has reached a decision in tandem with his wife, Jeri, an influential adviser. Campaign underlings continue to make plans as far ahead as Super Tuesday, Feb. 5.

Interesting how there is no actual source named, just a lot of vague "campaign source", "consensus expectation", etc. Nothing and no one specific.

Traveling to Digby at Hullabaloo, he posts this:

Sad, sad news, my friends. Fredmania may be over (this link just leads back to the Politico post).

The most "intelligent" comment from Hullabaloo comes here:

I was particularly excited at the prospect that we might have a first lady with big tits.
Riesz Fischer | 01.03.08 - 12:59 am | #

Frankly, it sounds like a bunch of wishful thinking. Yes, Fred's had a difficult time fundraising. He's had a difficult time getting his message out because the MSM is terrified of someone who's a straight shooter, who has though out the issues and written up a "battle plan" of policies and how he plans to handle issues and someone who plain doesn't pander to the MSM.

Fred runs his campaign as a campaign and not as a circus. That's part of what differentiates him from the rest of the candidates, and the point was made earlier today by Peter Robinson at The Corner here:

Iowa Republicans, in other words, have wanted Thompson to do them the courtesy of actually campaigning—and now they’re beginning to realize that he has. First Thompson conducted a two-week bus tour of Iowa at which he campaigned in more than 50 towns and cities. Then he taped a 17-minute video in which he makes his case more calmly, deliberately, and and with incomparably greater respect for the issues than has any of his opponents. And? For a lot of Iowa Republicans, that’s all they needed.

Perhaps Iowans, and maybe the rest of the conservatives out there, are beginning to wake up to the truth of what Fred is promoting and his strengths on the issues.

Race 4 2008 posts the same article of Fred dropping out as referenced above. However, there is a quote from the comments section at The Politico that appears at this site as well.

From The Politico comments:

Phil D Location: NA Party: Republican

Reply #: 17 Date: Jan. 2, 2008 - 11:38 PM EST

---

Here’s the update from the broadcast in Des Moines tonight on KCCI, the most watched local news in Iowa. Fred was asked about what events would take place if he finishes 3rd or last, and if it is true he will endorse McCain. His answer, “Total fabrication, he never said it either privately or publicly, and it was planted by some other campaign” Then he joked with the anchors about imagine that happening in politics!

Fred08.com

And the comments section from Race 4 2008:

1. Tommy Oliver Says:
   January 3rd, 2008 at 1:07 am

   Here’s the update from the broadcast in Des Moines tonight on KCCI, First, he was asked about what events would take place if he finishes 3rd or last, and if it is true he will endorse McCain. His answer, “Total fabrication, he never said it either privately or publicly, and it was planted by some other campaign”

Again, interesting the "source" of the "drop out" comments was never named, but is a vague "campaign source".

Now, the opposite side of the coin reads Fred is experiencing a late breaking surge in Iowa.

Peter Robinson at The Corner reports on the latest Zogby poll here:

The Thompson campaign may be shaping up as something like the precise reverse of the Clinton campaign. Presenting herself as the candidate of inevitability, Hillary dare not slip in the polls for fear of suffering a rapid and irretrievable collapse. Fred is by contrast the candidate who just can’t get elected—solid, likeable, and best on the issues—but, well, a man for whom it just isn’t going to happen. But as modest as it so far remains, his sudden rise in the polls—this “late-breaking surge,” to quote Zogby again—could persuade whole slews of Republicans that Fred could indeed win after all, leading to a definitive breakout.

Spree at Wake Up America and Snooper at A Newt One are also reporting on this poll and Fred's surge.

From Spree:

It seems Fred has a "late breaking surge" (Zogby's words) in Iowa, via the Corner, who points to Zogby's latest.

From Snooper:

In their daily tracking poll, conducted by traditional telephone surveys rather than on-line polls, Zogby shows a significant bump in support over the last three days -- enough to tie Fred with John McCain for third place.

And from Zogby:

Arizona Sen. John McCain remained in third place at 12%, tied with former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, who has seen a late-breaking surge.

So the question is--is Fred ready to throw in the towel (which would absolutely delight the democrats and RINOS as well as the MSM) or is he finally starting to come alive and people are finally starting to realize he has indeed been campaigning as a candidate should--a man worthy of the position of CIC rather than a carnival barker to the house of horrors?

And, is Fred really as conservative as we all think he is? For the answer to that question, I refer you back to his site here and this entry page to the issues and his "plan" on those issues. I also refer you to one last article by Peter Robinson at The Corner entitled "Fred Thompson, Reagan Conservative".

We will probably never see another RWR in our lifetime. However, Fred comes close. It would be outstanding if we could get a Fred Thompson/Duncan Hunter ticket. Don't count Fred out yet. If he drops out, we will be left with nothing but RINOS and the left. And that, my friends, would be terrible news for this country.

Catch the Wave!

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