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February 09, 2008
Fred Thompson Backs McCain
Fred Thompson Backs McCain
By Michael D. Shear
Fred Thompson, the one-time Republican presidential candidate, endorsed Sen. John McCain Friday, calling on the party to "close ranks" behind the presumed nominee.
"This is no longer about past preferences or differences. It is about what is best for our country and for me that means that Republican should close ranks behind John McCain," Thompson said in a statement reported by the Associated Press.
Thompson's endorsement was expected. The two men were colleagues for years in the Senate and shared what associates called a friendship. But while he was in the race, Thompson had bristled at the idea that he was going to drop out and endorse McCain.
The endorsement now may help McCain to coalesce the factions of the party around him. Thompson, who represented Tennessee in the Senate for eight years, is thought of well in the South, an area that McCain has not done well in.
Wild Thing's comment........
I was so hoping Thompson would sit this one out. sigh
Not that I’m thrilled...but if he had done this with Romney still in it would have been more disheartening. They are friends, but still Fred does disagree with McCain on the amnesty McCain desperately wanrts to pull off and other things as well.
What a mess all of this is! This is reminding me of the show "The Producers". Each old lady was promised a 100% share of the profits.
Posted by Wild Thing at February 9, 2008 11:55 AM
Comments
In that mismash of the eight GOP candidates who put their names to the ballot box for this election two stood out as conservatives with less baggage to carry, they were Tom Tancredo and Duncan Hunter. I'm disappointed, yes, but from the get go I really had misgivings about Fred Thompson even though I like the man. We often overlook the flawed diamond when they are compared to the fake ones and choose a gem equally valueless. I once chose Ross Perot, we got Clinton because he proved to be a spoiler.
It's a lot like bobbing a dog's tail, do you saw it off slowly or make a fast cut, it's painful but why prolong the pain? Another Bush in the Whitehouse wouldn't stop the inevitable slide to the left nor would it garner any attention from the union bosses at the GOP headquarters. The GOP is getting what they wanted and most richly deserve, shunning from the conservative base that they have repeatedly shunned. Fred is unwilling to stand on principle and has cast his lot to survive politically under a possible McCain rule. VP Fred? Bwahahaha, I've read The Prince too, you're not far enough to the left.
Posted by: Jack at February 9, 2008 01:54 PM
Is there any sanity left in this country. They have major disagreements, but he is going to endorse McCain anyway.
I really think at this point it will make no difference because B. Hoo-me-insane 'pied Piper' Obama seems to be taking the country by storm and will win. It just seems to be happening.
The slide or express to the left will be complete, then will America start to wake up and realize that...'OMG ,what have we done', as they look upon their new neighbors who can't yet speak English but we are paying for them just the same. Because its the right thing to do.
This is a most depressing time. I never thought I would live to see a day where our Country's days are numbered and Liberty is a fleeting concept that used to be.
Posted by: Mark at February 9, 2008 02:17 PM
I can't believe Cousin Freddy did this!
But look at the bright spot--if he gets a cabinet position, which is probably why he's backing his buddy, he'll help to temper that left wing leaning McCain the Pain has and keep him under control.
Posted by: Lynn at February 9, 2008 02:49 PM
John Bolton has also endorsed McCain. Bolton does not like McCain, but says our troops cannot survive either of the two Dems. I understand this thinking and agree, although I also detest McCain. So I will vote against the Dem, for the troops. But I will not campaign for or financially support McCain. If the troops and the war were not at stake I would not vote.
Like Jack, I have my worries about Thompson. I have to wonder if his lazy campaign may have hurt the chances of getting someone other than McCain by siphoning conservative votes from Rudy or Mitt early on. A lot of good conservatives put their efforts into Thompson and I think he was not that worthy. Just my opinion, but I don't trust him.
Posted by: TomR at February 9, 2008 05:35 PM
I am not a mind reader, but I am guessing that Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney are team players and didn't want to come across as sore losers. Hopefully, their endorsement of McCain is only surface deep and Fred Thompson will channel his team playing credentials to actively supporting individual conservative congressional candidates not giving in on any of his own conservative values and principles.
I don't think either Thompson or Romney would want a position in a McCain administration knowing, other than the Iraq/Afghanistan War, that he would cut their conservative positions off at their knees.
I am offering amnesty to any conservative who decides not to vote for McCain or, in a close race, even votes for the Democrat just to keep that RINO maniac out of the White House.
Posted by: Les at February 9, 2008 08:47 PM
Jack your right, I do agree with what you said. Thank you for the link too.
Posted by: Wild Thing at February 10, 2008 01:13 AM
Mark, I feel the same way.
"I never thought I would live to see a day where our Country's days are numbered and Liberty is a fleeting concept that used to be."
Posted by: Wild Thing at February 10, 2008 01:14 AM
Lynn, I was surprised only because they do differ on some important issues. sigh
Posted by: Wild Thing at February 10, 2008 01:20 AM
Tom I saw that about Bolton and I cried. Just a little, but I was so hoping he would stay above the fray of all of this. I have such tremendous respect for him and I understand like you said too why he said what he did.
Posted by: Wild Thing at February 10, 2008 01:27 AM
Les, I think McCain is so into himself he wouldn't offer anything to any of the other candidates. Maybe Huckabaee but not anyone else. Just a gut feeling about him.
Posted by: Wild Thing at February 10, 2008 01:29 AM