Thoughts

[Janet0116]

Ok, this GOP election so far has been so screwy. Each state a new front-runner appears a few days before the election, and then it becomes so.

Iowa = Huck
NH = McCain

Will Fred Thompson be heralded as the new frontrunner in SC? Do we need to start targeting him? He has always been my biggest worry for the South. Thoughts?

[MJfromCT]

They will hype Huckabee and refer to Thompson as the surprise sensation. Paul better be on his toes as Thompson is likely to try landing a sucker punch tonight. Of course I have faith that Paul will come out the winner as usual in a scuffle of intelligence.

[Janet0116]

So do you think my hunch is correct? Especially after tonight's debate and media proclaiming Fred the winner? He will "COME OUT OF NOWHERE" as the front-runner. *rolling my eyes*

[life_boy]

The more I think about it, the more I think Thompson is going to be a problem for Paul in South Carolina. I was hoping that some of Fred's low polling would bring up electability concerns with him and that his depleting finances would allow for his "message" not getting out, but after the debates last night he's riding on a little free publicity (http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4119207&page=1) and giving to his campaign has increased (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/10/usnews/whispers/main3697831.shtml) (in a style reminiscent Paul's real time donation updates, Fred's official site has a gas pump where donations can be made to fill up the Red Pickup (http://www.fred08.com/index.aspx); they're hoping to get up to $750,000 by midnight tonight, which looks possible).

I know several neo-cons around Georgia who I can't quite sell on Ron Paul just yet, but if Fred was a clear frontrunner in the race, I don't think they'd even look at Paul seriously. Both Paul and Fred are arguing to be "the only real conservative," but many neo-cons have a problem with Ron Paul because of his libertarian ideologies. They don't really understand what libertarianism is or what it means practically, they just know its "not quite conservative." I was really hoping South Carolina would be the deathnail in Fred's weakening campaign but I'm beginning to think he may be in this thing until Super Tuesday.

I'm just ready for somebody to drop out!

[MalcolmGandi]

I'm thinking it will go
1. huckabee
2. mccain
3. thompson
4. romney
5. paul

Not actual votes, of course, but I think that will be what is reported in the media (and we have the electronic machines here). Maybe switch mccain and thompson.

[MalcolmGandi]

It's actually better for us when there are more candidates in the race.