Thompson to exit stage right?
By Steve Benen Wednesday Jan 02, 2008 7:13amNo matter how flawed the process in Iowa, one side benefit of the caucuses is some wheat-chaff separation. Candidates who fail to meet their own (and the political establishment’s) expectations invariably start to feel pressure to withdraw. More often than not, they do, resulting in a trimmed-down field.
The Republican roster of candidates has already been pared down in advance of the caucuses (Gilmore, Brownback, and Tancredo all dropped out), but by the weekend, the field looks like it’ll get a little thinner still.
Several Republican officials close to Fred Thompson’s presidential campaign said they expect the candidate will drop out of the race within days if he finishes poorly in Thursday’s Iowa caucus.
Thompson’s campaign, which last spring and summer was generating fevered anticipation in the media and with some Republican activists, has never ignited nationally, and there are no signs of a late spark happening here in Iowa, where even a third-place finish is far from assured.
This reality — combined with a fundraising drought — left well-connected friends and advisers of Thompson Wednesday evening predicting that he will pull the plug on hype and hope before the Jan. 8 New Hampshire primary....
“Without a solid third-place finish, there’s no point in going on,” a Thompson adviser said Wednesday. “It was an honorable race, and he turned out to be a good candidate. The moment had just passed.”
This comes, of course, just a few days after Thompson conceded to a group of voters that he’s “not particularly interested in running for president.”
Stay tuned.
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So, will there be a detectable difference in Thompson's level of activity after he withdraws from the race? Or will it pretty much look like the same degree of uninterest?
Too bad, but all is not lost. Hollywood Freddy will make an excellent hall monitor at the assisted living community.
Thompson conceded to a group of voters that he’s “not particularly interested in running for president.”
Great, because we are no particularly interested in having Thompson run for president.
Wonder if Freddie can get his job back at Law&Order. I like McCoy better in the court room than in the big office.
Anybody see that doofus playing Ulysses Grant in "Into the West"? He can't even PRETEND to be president.
but...but...but...Fried Thomatoes was going burst onto the scene, stage far-right and make those uh angry Repugs forget all about St. Ronny......wha' happened?
Honestly, as much as I loathe republicans, Fred didn't so much as register a blip on my radar screen. I don't care enough about him as a candidate to even bother disliking him. Now rudy on the other hand, he's my boy. I shall always be faithful to my disgust of him. I owe it to him after all he's done to earn it.
So...see you later Freddie. Hope it was worth waking up for.
Dahgrostab'ph-r-i @ 3:
My thoughts exactly.
The people who donated to his campaign should sue him to get their money back. He took that money under false pretenses. He never intended to run, he just wanted to win. That isn't exactly how the game is played.
I'm in south Florida (three hour drive north of Miami) and the thermometer on my patio says it's 34 degrees. There is some snow falling north of Cape Kennedy. WTF? Anyone here have Al Gore's phone number?
pissed off patricia @ 8:
LOL you gotta love global warming
Exit? I dont think he ever got in the building. He is the biggest surprise of the election so far. I expected a much more formidable candidate. The biggest flop since Bill Bradley.
I can't believe the Republicans would pass up the opportunity to nominate an ACTOR for political office. It's a Republican TRADITION for goodness sake! That and simultaneously whining about 'Hollywood values.'
For Sale
Red Ford pickup truck. Very low mileage.
Has a tendency to veer sharply to the right.
Smells strongly of Old Spice and stale bullshit.
Call The American Enterprise Institute at 202-862-5800 and ask for Fred.
Go back to sleep Fred.
Don't Count him out -- Thompson has a ‘Sleeper’ Strategy: the ‘Hungover’ Vote
He never was interested............he was merely a distraction.
Unlike McCain, I think Freddie has seen the light at the end of the tunnel. LOL Monitor at senior center. Freddie wants out to spend more time with his family---er I mean wife while he still can. Being POTUS would really crimp his style.
Patrica, it was also 34 degrees at my place this morning. I'm a little more than 3 hrs. north of Miami. I don't drive as fast as I used to.
immigrant @ 4:
Republican's would like to get rid of SVU
Did anyone besides Tweety and the Village Idiots really think Grampa Fred had any chance?
The "serious and respectable" pundits apparently convinced Fred of Hollywood that all he had to do was announce and he would be greeted as a savior.
Champagne and campaign donations would flow, and crowds would flock to his banner.
Instead he discovered that the voters were "staying away in droves."
Gee Fred, if all it took was name recognition to get elected, Paris and Britney would be running this country.
pissed off patricia @ 8:
yeah...I saw that 34 degrees,and thought that is kinda low for there..We here in Calif are getting ready for a fairly big storm....I think this one will hit the rest of the country pretty hard.........oh well....there goes the orange groves again......Oh and you have a good point about sueing Thompson for their money back...but what did they expect? He's a Republican.
A mild defense of Thompson: there is a difference between RUNNING for President and BEING President.
Personally, I'd enjoy being President a lot more than I would running for President.
immigrant @ 4:
He better practice this line: "Welcome to Walmart"
In one respect his campaign was like Ronald Raygun, it died and no one could bring it back to life.
He reminded me of preachers I used to hear in church. No matter how hard I tried to listen to what they had to say, my mind wandered off on other subjects and ideas. All at once I would realize they had stopped talking and I had no idea what they had said. Same with Fred, when he talks I just can't seem to pay attention.
How many volunteers does 'Fabulous Fred' have lined up to show him how to get the hell out of Iowa?
Yellow Elephant Safari @ 12:
This was very clever........but for some reason......I'm wondering about that pick up......I wonder who was the real owner of that pick up?
mudshark @ 24:
The phone number may be a clue.....
OH, I'd love to see the walking cadaver exit stage right. Then lets get rid of Rudy (the weasel) and Ken and Barbie (Romneys) so we just have the old guy to kick around. Course we can't kick him because he's a HERO...oh, forgot the Bible-thumper...although GOMER is a much better nickname for him...what a cast of characters and just when you thought the frat boy couldn't be topped! Perhaps Ron Paul could march away with the Repug nomination after all...he's only a little bit crazy!
Yellow Elephant Safari @ 25:
DOH!
damn....................need more coffee........sorry about that chief.missed it by THAT much.
Don't feel bad, Fred, the Iowa presidential race just wasn't your cup of tea.
But the Westminster Kennel Club campaign is about to start, and you should do gang-busters there. (Psst. The trick is to get a good handler).
Boy, in the hectic hullabaloo of a frantic campaign, your speeches are sure gonna be missed, Fred.
Now where are people gonna go to catch a quick nap?
Radically Moderate @ 6:
While it is now fashionable in Left Blogistan to make snarky fun of St. Ronnie, he was much more than just an actor.
He spent years actively involved in politics, and surrounded himself with some pretty savvy political operators. He also cultivated friends in the moneyed classes. He was a very astute politician.
Ronnie managed to get himself elected Governator of California twice during some of the most turbulent years in our history. The first time he defeated a popular Democratic incumbent.
Despite his conservative philosophy, he was generous and good hearted. Unlike G-Dub, he really was a compassionate conservative. He was willing to compromise and admit mistakes.
Fred of Hollywood on the other hand, has never really distinguished himself at anything. He's just a talking head atop an empty suit.
I laughed when some pundit said Fred doesn't like to get up before noon
"Thompson conceded to a group of voters that he’s 'not particularly interested in running for president.'”
That's a new one. Kinda says "fuck you for your support" to anyone who was dumb enough to care, doesn't it? Frankly, though, I don't think it was his idea in the first place. Some "genius" thought he'd be the new Regan and got him to run (kinda).
"Ronnie managed to get himself elected Governator of California twice during some of the most turbulent years in our history."
With a little help from GE and other corporate giants.
"Generous and good hearted"? You must be joking.
This comes as no surprise to me. Thompson really isn't this "Reagan" that the Republicans wanted him to be and he knows it. Besides, as it appears, Thompson gave up a long time ago.
Thompson said. I am going to Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
PS myq2xu: The Left has always laughed at Regan. From a Pat Brown TV spot, with images of Regan in B movies: "Ronald Reagan has played many roles. This year he wants to play Governor." We were also perplexed at his success. In other words, we underestimated the stupidity of the public.
On the other hand, Bush managed to make Regan look brilliant and Nixon look like a moderate and a statesman.
Cantor de Mambo @ 34:
I said he cultivated friends in the moneyed classes, but I didn't say I agreed with everything Reagan did.
I can't imagine Reagan making fun of a death row inmate's plea for mercy either.
Fred expected to step into the race with a lead whenever he wanted.. sorry pal, but it doesnt work like that.
BFD. But I will miss Jeri.
Just because Reagan wasn't as bad as bush, doesn't mean he was good.
Matthews can now say he imagines Fred would smell like mothballs instead of Old Spice.
Maybe, Hollywood Fred, us Americans don't like what you stand for.
I heard on "rush" that the media has twisted Fred's remarks on campaigning. That Fred doesn't like the process because it's unfair to democracy; that a candidate can't just show up to debates, rattle off some fancy one-liners, and win win win.
Get lost Fred, we don't want your kind in our gov't no more.
pissed off patricia @ 41:
Reagan was a good politician, but that doesn't mean he was a good President.
mudshark @ 27:
If I want to watch a crabby old man with an old pickup truck I'd rather watch Sanford and Son.
Hoepfully Grandpaw Freddie will have ruined his acting career too by becoming such an overt partisan hackey asswipe.
Can't say I'll miss his hangdog mug. I'd rather watch Helen Thomas get a colonoscopy than see Freddie on the tube.
-GSD
Fred has a new film role lined up. He's going to play the Kevin Costner role in the remake of The Big Chill.
-GSD
Well, maybe Ron Paul will get his seat in the NH debate...
I agree with Cantor de Mambo. Fred never really wanted the gig and was talked into it.
I am surprised like some above that Fred didn't attract a wider audience on his fame as an actor alone.
Yet FOX invites Fred to but not Ron....
He turned out to be everything Nixon said he was (stupid) and everything the senators that worked with him said he was (lazy).
I guess the thugs really don't want the "next R. Raygun."
Even worse is they seem to want chest thumping Rudy.
“Thompson conceded to a group of voters that he’s ‘not particularly interested in running for president.’”
But his young wife was the one who had the ambition to be First Lady.
He also lost his job as a carpetbagging DA on "Law and Order". The show went "in-house" and promoted Sam Waterston's character, Jack McCoy, to the DA role.
I wonder if he will suffer the indignity of the unemployed like the rest of us do when we're out of a job.
Anyone expecting Thompson to exit stage left?
But then he is from Hollyweird, the home of flakes, nuts & fruits.
jack foster @ 16:
Brrr...35 degrees for me this morning -- 1 hr north of Miami!
pissed off patricia @ 41:
Maybe he'll soon be smelling of formaldehyde (sp?).
Fred! Fred! Wake up! It's time to drop out.
One can only hope.....
Nobody4President @ 57:
Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z
Fred who?
One thing I love about C&L is that I read it here and then hours if not days later, they've got it on the Crap News Network.
Thanks C&L.
I wonder how much money ole Fred managed to stuff into his pockets and the pockets of his buddies? Oh, who cares. It is money that moronic republicans wasted on by backing a crook who never really wanted to do anything but pimp himself for personal gain. Mission Accomplished!
I was just watching some corporate-sponsored pundit on CNBC talking about how Huckabee and Edwards will "exploit" ( uh, support is the more accurate word) the middle class and that will be oh-so-bad for business. Yep- bad for the rich asshole contingent.
Every single time they say Edwards name in conjunction with any policy of actually supporting the American worker they ramrod the word rhetoric right next to it. This is who we are actually fighting. This IS the Republican base = its a class war and its a corporation versus worker war.
So, who is the right person to be the leader in this very real battle against the Corporatocracy? It's not Obama, and it is CERTAINLY not Clinton.
Edwards is the one who has not only the ability, but the actual desire to fight this battle. The head of the Beast that is ruining America IS the Corporate elite of Big Oil, Big Pharma, and the Military-Industrial complex. And the only one who is really willing to wield the blade is Edwards.
Mike the Canuck @ 9:
It's 8 degrees here in IL today---please send up your form of global warming immediately.
We've heard so little from Ugly Freddie most thought he already had dropped out. The most I've heard from him was the Law and Order New Years Eve Marathon.
It is -22C with 20 cm of snow here (sorry, no idea what that is in your measurement) - but it is sunny and life is good! If we had 34F I would be thinking of taking out my motorcycle.
Watch for fred to end up as a constant guest on FOX Snooze (if they can keep him awake, that is). I had the misfortune of catching a bit of FOX during John Gibson's show. He had on a couple of bimbos(uh, excuse me, "campaign strategists")who kept saying how great it would be if Hollywood Fred finished "a solid third" in Iowa. What the fuck? I used to bet on the ponies, and whenever my horse finished "a solid third" I lost money. Memo to the FOX zombies - there is no "solid third" - it's finish first or you lose.
Its just a matter of time before the female "analyists" on Fox do a pole dance before the break.
If he can stay awake long enough to find it.
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bubba @ 66:
Oh my god that's a scary thought.
Al Franken once said if he were in the Senate, he'd put up a bill making it illegal to pick up US currency with anything other than your hands. Looks like we might need him to do that.
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So if Thompson drops out. He has stated he has no plans to run for anything else. It will probably be back to the liberal Hollywood of Law and Order.
So where does his campaign funds go?
He won't run for any other office and the funds are supposed to be used for that.
Can he donate them to another candidate?
Can he use the funds after a certain amount of time to take a cruise to Singapore?
Heh. At least his entry into the TMI (too Much Info) burlesque show got him off Law and Order.
Some of the non-viable candidates may not drop out. With both parties looking at three-way ties one of the two parties may be looking at a brokered convention (more likely the Republicans). A non-viable that is an ideologue would want to stick around and keep his 5% of delegates so that he may become a king-maker (oh how true is that phrase at a Republican convention), and ram his one issue down the throat of the party candidate. A brokered convention for the Republicans would be so interesting to watch. Like a mad-hatter tea party.
Yellow Elephant Safari @ 12:
Fabulous!
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