GodTube presidential poll

Guess who's winning? Huckabee of course, is there any Christian candidate? Though, Obama and Thompson are tied for second :-) Ron Paul only has 6.5%, I guess the Paulians haven't discovered it yet.

(via)

The Total Write-ins beat Thompson

NH was not happy he dissed their state!

Fred Thompson on The O’Reilly Factor Tonight

Evidently, Thompson hasn't been on yet and O'Reilly is a little cranky about it and kind of beat up Thompson's wife on his radio show trying to badger her into making Thompson do the show. I guess it worked.

Excellent new video from Thompson

He's making his case in a pithier manner for those who don't have the attention span to still through a 17 minute video. Go contribute money so he take his message to SC and kick some tushie. He is the only candidate who could appeal to the Reagan coalition. Ed Rollins is determined to destroy it, don't let him do it. Contribute to Thompson's campaign.

Video: Thompson on illegal immigration

If illegal immigration really was the major issue of the campaign, Thompson would win the nomination and the election because he's the only one who understands the issue. He gives the perfect answer to the question of compassion (how can we separate a mother from her children). Why encourage illegal immigration with our policies? We encourage people to put themselves and their children at risk crossing the border since we don't enforce our own laws. If we grant amnesty, we will be encouraging the next generation to do the same thing. That's not compassionate.

(via)

Livingblogging the Republican Fox News Debate

I fell asleep during Thompson's explanation of his SS plan.

Update: Not liking this format -- Thompson doesn't get to talk enough.

Updated again: Change theme again! McCain seems to using Clinton's argument. He's a change agent in Washington.

Update: this debate is so dull!!! I think Gibson did a much better job.

Updated for the last time: This is turning into a Romeny/McCain debate and I'm bored. I'm not interested in a Romney infomercial. Off to watch the Amazing Race.

A very festy Thompson on Today

Doesn't the MSM get it that a candidate would be stupid to say that they plan to exist the race in the near future? How would they raise any money? Would you give money to Thompson knowing that he plans to leave the race after SC? Why bother?

(via)

Romney's campaign was the source of Thompson rumor

According to Novak:

Published reports that Fred Thompson soon will withdraw from the Republican presidential contest and endorse Sen. John McCain have been traced in part to Mitt Romney's campaign, trying to stir up strife between McCain and Thompson.

(via)

Video: A teaching moment during the Republican NH debate

Thompson teaches Giuliani what the word "amnesty" means. I hope McCain was listening.

(via)

Some thoughts on the Republican Debate

I liked the format, though I wasn't too thrilled with some of the questions and how long they stuck with the questions. The first two were really good but the one on healthcare was a waste of time except for this exchange:

Romney: "I like mandates."
Thompson: "I didn't think you were going to admit that."

Thompson also had the best response on illegal immigration: “attrition through enforcement.” That makes the most sense, if illegals can't get jobs, they'll leave. We don't have to round up anyone, they'll leave on their own. We also should make it easier to get into this country legally -- that would also help.

I liked the format, I liked that they could respond to each other. I thought Thompson came across as wise, an elder statesman who knew what he was talking about. Romney came across as thin-skinned and a politician making a stump speech. McCain came across as snippy and a smart aleck and he reminded me again why I don't want him to win. He still doesn't get why everyone but him realizes that he's talking about amnesty. Huckabee came across as subdued and uninspired. He stumbled in his response to the bunker mentality question and he didn't seem to say anything substantive the rest of the debate. No little quips or good humor. Did someone tell him that he couldn't use metaphors during his responses and that he had to be serious and humorless? Rudy almost made me want to vote for him -- he's a very persuasive politician. I can see why he's doing so well. But policy trumps persuasion as far as I'm concerned, that's why I support Thompson. He's good on policy as anyone who was paying attention could see.

And I really did like the end of the debate when Charlie Gibbson brought everyone on stage. It reminds you want is so great about this country, that we will be able to change government without blood shed. That we can be civil to each other. We have our differences but in the end we can still shake hands and let the best man win (hehe). But this is pretty funny.

I'll put up video when I find it.

Marc Ambinder on the debate:

On points, Fred Thompson won the debate.

Every answer was thoughtful and well-crafted; his tone matched the tone of the question; he wisely refrained from interjecting in the back and forth squabbling. He very deftly reminded viewers that he served on key Senate national security panels and is bringing his experience to bear. Even his insults were subtly and gently constructed In some ways, Thompson did McCain’s bidding. You skeptical readers can tell me that if Thompson had finished a solid fourth in Iowa, I might not be writing about Thompson at all, that said, he's still a candidate, and his performance tonight tells me his mind is not elsewhere.

I agree but I could be biased :-)

He also said this:

He and McCain sound like the adults on stage. Thompson is excelling on policy and style... McCain is even and cool-tempered... both doing what they need to do.

A whole bunch of people did a better job than I did liveblogging the debate. (How do they do it? I was trying to listen to everyone, when did they find time to type? :-) Here are some of them:

Sean Hackbarth at Fred Thompson's campaign blog.
Michelle Malkin
Political Radar which appears to be more process than content.
Jim Geraghty

Attention all you undecideds in the Manchester, NH area

You are invited to a Debate Watching Party at Thompson's headquarters:

When
Saturday, January 5, 2008 at 7:30 PM

Where
Fred08 NH Headquarters
23 West Webster St.
Manchester , NH 03104
(603) 669-0239

Who should come
Anyone who wants to watch Fred knock-em dead in the debate. Undecided voters are welcome. Fred supporters can come by to pick up signs and stickers.

Thompson announced the endorsement of the Right to Life of Wyoming.

A nice endorsement on the eve of the Wyoming caucus!

"We're proud to endorse Senator Thompson for president because he has a long track record of supporting pro-life principles," stated Steven Ertelt, President of Right to Life of Wyoming. "Senator Thompson had a 100% pro-life voting record during his tenure in Congress. Today, he supports overturning the Roe v Wade decision which allowed for unlimited abortions, he opposes euthanasia, and he opposes forcing taxpayers to fund scientific research that requires the destruction of human life."

Right to Life of Wyoming (RTLW) is the state affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee which has endorsed Senator Thompson for President, along with 13 other state affiliates.

Thompson needs $540,000 and 50,000 friends for SC

By January 11th.

OK if you're upset that we will be running a populist (Huckabee) against a populist (Obama) then why not do something about it? Why not denote time and money to the Thompson campaign. Why not show Ed Rollins and the MSM that the Reagan coalition is not dead. Why not support the one candidate who can unite the national security, social and fiscal conservatives?

Another Politico hit piece against Thompson

Pretty heavy handed:

Nothing makes for a lackluster afterparty like a tie for third place. And that’s where Fred Thompson finished in Thursday’s caucus.

The former Tennessee senator won 13 percent support, too close to Arizona Sen. John McCain to call third place in the Republican race.

The crowd of about 100 Thompson supporters watching the Iowa returns in a downtown Des Moines hotel ballroom milled about, chatting amiably and noshing on the free food as if they were at a cocktail party.

“Third place is fine,” said Barnes Kelley, 21, with a resigned tone. “I think he’ll do better in Southern states,” added his younger sister Onnalee, 17.

Thompson spoke very briefly, congratulating his opponents and thanking his supporters.

He asked the crowd where he needs to go next. At their shouts of “South Carolina!” Thompson nodded approvingly. Thompson’s last best shot will be in the south, where he polls significantly better than New Hampshire.

Thompson implied he might soon drop out of the race, saying, “We’ll have to look at our finance numbers.”

But there’s nothing like playing to a crowd with low expectations.

“It looks like someone’s gonna have to carry a strong conservative message, and it looks like it’s gonna be me.” The crowd went wild as if Thompson had just sworn up and down that he was sure to win.

Michael Murphy, a Thompson volunteer who drove down from Cleveland, shouted exuberantly after the speech, “You hear that? No dropping out!” Not just yet anyway.

As Murphy gamely put it, “there are three tickets out of here: first class, business class and coach. Coach gets you to New Hampshire.”

Thompson’s supporters were pleased that the potential catastrophe of a fourth- or even fifth-place finish, a specter raised by low poll numbers for Thompson in the last few days, was averted.

They gamely shouted and waved signs for the television cameras.

But the chants of “Fred, Fred, Fred” seemed forced.

(via)

But we already know about their lack of observation skills.

Judge for yourself (it's really helpful to have the video to verify the veracity of the MSM).

Related Posts:
Thompson energetic? Not so much
Do we believe Politico or our own eyes?
Thompson is denying reports that he'll drop out if he doesn't place third in Iowa

Thompson making a play for the Wyoming caucus

Along with Ron Paul and Romney. They caucus on Saturday and I'm hopeful they'll be a little smarter than Iowa:

Wyoming Republicans will make history Saturday when they become the first in the country to select delegates for the national GOP convention.

Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson spent $10,000 each to acquire a list of the names and contact information for party members who will help select the national delegates. Romney set up a state office in Casper, Cubin said.

There have also been calls on behalf of candidates from national GOP figures - including Mary Matalin, a former counselor to Vice President Dick Cheney, who is supporting Thompson, the former U.S. senator from Tennessee.

"The response has been terrific," Matalin said by telephone Thursday, noting that state GOP members have been keenly interested in Thompson's stance on important national issues. "The thing about Wyoming people, they just like the straight talk. I'm not spinning anybody and not offering any pointers."

[...]

Most party members are thrilled to hear from the campaign, Cubin said, and they have lots of questions about where Romney stands on issues.

"I think people are very discriminating about who they are going to support," Cubin said.

Drake Hill, a former state GOP chairman and a local coordinator for the Thompson campaign, said he and other volunteers are making a final push today.

He has been struck by how informed committee members have become about the candidates. Immigration and national security seem to be the issues people are most interested in, he said.

"They also want to find somebody who can be a leader on foreign policy," he added.

Um...that wouldn't be Huckabee, that's for sure!

And here's some good news:

Paul has some vocal supporters in the state, but he is not expected to be a favorite on Saturday.

(via)

Thompson's still in the race!

Well, my prayers were answered and Thompson's still in the race:

Republican Fred Thompson remained upbeat despite failing to win or finish second in the Iowa caucuses.

Thompson congratulated his opponents — Mike Huckabee won the vote and Mitt Romney finished second — and said he was looking forward to the contests in New Hampshire next Tuesday and beyond.

As of midnight, Thompson and John McCain were in a close race for a third-place finish.

"It looks like somebody is going to need to carry a strong, consistent, conservative message — and it looks like it ought to be me," Thompson told a cheering crowd of about 200 supporters at a downtown hotel. "I don't know whether it's going to be a definitive third or tied for third, or whatever, but it's pretty clear that we're going to have a ticket to the next dance."

Take that Politico!

Huckabee wins???

Sounds like Romney is conceding. Crap! Though it looks like Thompson may be third.

Entrance Polling -- Huckabee wins big

For what it's worth (Thompson ties with McCain for third).

In early polling...

Thompson was third!! :-)

The Blogging Caesar predicts a Huckabee and Obama win in Iowa

I'm a little torn by his prediction. I'm elated that he thinks Thompson will come in third and a little concerned because I don't want Huckabee to win by that much.

He's putting up links to other predictions as well.