Fred Thompson Drops Out Of The Race

by Todd Beeton, Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 09:29:57 AM EST

So says Fox News (via Think Progress):

Fox News has learned that Fred Thompson is returning to his home in McClean VA and plans to withdraw from the race. He has begun calling friends, family and supporters and telling them his campaign is over.

One suspects when he does so, he'll endorse John McCain.

Sigh. So long, Grandpa Fred, we hardly knew ye.

Update [2008-1-22 14:35:10 by Todd Beeton]:His statement:

"Today I have withdrawn my candidacy for President of the United States," Thompson said. "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."

Tags: 2008 Presidential election, Fred Thompson, Republican nomination (all tags)

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24 Comments

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Re: Fred Thompson To Drop Out Of The Race

Instead of endorsing McCain, he should be endorsing Viagra.

by Pravin 2008-01-22 09:30AM | 0 recs
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Re: Fred Thompson To Drop Out Of The Race

Thanks a lot for making me think about Fred Thompson's member. :-0

by Oregonian 2008-01-22 01:07PM | 0 recs
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Re: Fred Thompson To Drop Out Of The Race

Fred is out. Will help Huckabee but it may be too late to have a substantial effect.

by Jr1886 2008-01-22 09:31AM | 0 recs
The mollusk bathing
Re: Fred Thompson To Drop Out Of The Race

the was the whole point of the timing, no?

by the mollusk 2008-01-22 09:39AM | 0 recs
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Re: Fred Thompson To Drop Out Of The Race

We need to give Fred a round of applause,lol.

by Jr1886 2008-01-22 09:32AM | 0 recs
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He Did What He Needed To

And peeled off just enough conservative support for McCain to win SC.

by Zeitgeist9000 2008-01-22 09:33AM | 0 recs
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Re: Fred Thompson To Drop Out Of The Race

I think this will have almost no effect.  It's kind of like all the speculation of Edwards getting out.  It won't make a big impact for anyone in particular.

by rcipw 2008-01-22 09:35AM | 0 recs
Marine sunglasses
Re: Fred Thompson To Drop Out Of The Race

I dunno, the guy was drawing double digits in Florida. When the other four candidates are within 2-3 points of one another, an extra 10-15% of available voters could have a significant impact.

Thompson himself likes McCain. Huckabee is other conservative Christian. Romney is the other traditional Republican. My guess is Thompson voters split between Huck and McCain, screwing McCain. Regardless of what happens to Romney, this has to be bad news for Guiliani.

by Nathan Empsall 2008-01-22 10:18AM | 0 recs
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Re: Fred Thompson To Drop Out Of The Race

That's kind of my point.  I think Edwards has more than the 4% he got in Nevada, but it doesn't go to the benefit of one particular candidate and gets spread around.

by rcipw 2008-01-22 10:23AM | 0 recs
Marine sunglasses
Re: Fred Thompson To Drop Out Of The Race

It may not play kingmaker, but it still has an affect in taking Florida away from Guiliani. If it was a three-man field like ours, I'd be more inclined to agree.

by Nathan Empsall 2008-01-22 10:35AM | 0 recs
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Re: Fred Thompson Drops Out Of The Race

All right! Law and Order reruns can go back on in Florida.

by alexmhogan 2008-01-22 09:39AM | 0 recs
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Re: Fred Thompson Drops Out Of The Race

Awwwww, how sad, and he had 11 delegates, too.

by forecaster15 2008-01-22 09:39AM | 0 recs
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Re: Fred Thompson Drops Out Of The Race

KING MAKER!!

by danIA 2008-01-22 09:51AM | 0 recs
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Re: Fred Thompson Drops Out Of The Race

The media seems to freakin' LOVE that word/phrase!

by frankies 2008-01-22 10:21AM | 0 recs
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Re: Fred Thompson Drops Out Of The Race

No such thing as a kingmaker this early in a race. Had Thompson stayed in past Feb. 5 and waited for the OH/TX/VT March day, he could have taken that role.

by Nathan Empsall 2008-01-22 10:22AM | 0 recs
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Thompson was preposterous

He's as preposterous as Kucinich or Paul and yet he was a serious candidate. It's a measure of the deep doo doo the Republicans are in. He'll endorse McCain but his follower will go to Huck who would probably have won SC had he already dropped out. Which is why he didn't!

by ottovbvs 2008-01-22 09:39AM | 0 recs
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Re: Fred Thompson Drops Out Of The Race

It would have been interesting to refrain from reporting this and see if anyone noticed.  "Wow, Fred's campaign seems even more low-key than usual these days..."

I still laugh thinking about the confused look on my wife's face the other day as she asked me who the heck Duncan Hunter was.

by Steve M 2008-01-22 09:51AM | 0 recs
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I hear he might endorse Obama ....

Just some humor here folks.  A joke.

by dpANDREWS 2008-01-22 10:15AM | 0 recs
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Re: Fred Thompson Drops Out Of The Race

But who will save the Republicans from their pathetic field now???

In all seriousness, I did think he was the one candidate who had a show at holding the current Reagan Republican coalition together - the neocons, business traditionatilists, religious right, etc. Romney could keep them together, but since he's so phony they'd fall apart as soon as he lost, or left office depending. McCain, Huck, and Guiliani don't speak to the whole party. Thompson was the only one who could genuinely keep them together through this election and beyond, and of course never had a shot. That's good news for us.

by Nathan Empsall 2008-01-22 10:21AM | 0 recs
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Huckabee Is Celebrating

This is quite a significant development for Huckabee.  He is celebrating right now.  

It means that he will likely win a lot of delegates in the South. It makes him much more competitive.

I had thought that the Republican powers that be had convinced Fred to stay in at least until Florida...to hurt Huckabee there. As such, this is very surprising news to me.  

Now...with Fred out, Huckabee has a much better shot at winning Florida, which if he does win, will REALLY help him in the South.  

For Huckabee, this ranks right up there with his Iowa win.  
 

by Demo37 2008-01-22 10:24AM | 0 recs
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How can we tell?

Are you sure he's out? How is the "campaign" different from yesterday? Drat-now Rudy will come in third in Florida....

by Skipster 2008-01-22 10:57AM | 0 recs
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that was embarassing

he should have done a Gingrich or Colin Powell and resisted running.  Then you could always talk about how you knew you could win, but it wasn't the right time for your family.

He's promising to refund all the donations.

by yellowdem1129 2008-01-22 11:38AM | 0 recs
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Re: Fred Thompson Drops Out Of The Race

Oberman said it best: Fred Thompson has cleared his throat for the last time.

by ND1979 2008-01-22 03:52PM | 0 recs
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Re: Fred Thompson Drops Out Of The Race

Congratulations, retire with dignity, and go back to sleep.

by nzubechukwu 2008-01-22 05:34PM | 0 recs

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