Which GOP candidate will drop out FIRST?

[dt_]

Which do you think will drop out first and how will it affect Ron Paul's campaign?

(I'm not including Duncan Hunter in the poll b/c he hasn't been getting substantial support to really matter.)

[Suzu]

You left off Hunter and Keyes.

[dt_]

Yes I did because they don't really have any impact on the vote. Their support is very small.

[jaumen]

I'd say Thompson or Romney for sure... I think Thompson is a little more likely to drop out first.

[Ogren]

If fred does bad in SC he will drop out. But apart from that no one will drop out.

[dt_]

I voted Thompson as well but it's a tough call. He has a pretty good chance in SC.

[Cindy]

I voted Fred mostly because, he said hes out of cash.

Franks focus group declared him the winner of the debate because he was the most funny.

Can they make these elections any more shallow then they already are?

[hawkeyenick]

I'd say Thompson or Romney for sure... I think Thompson is a little more likely to drop out first.

Romney has the most delegates...why would he drop out?

He doens't need any first place finishes if first place continually changes, he can win the whole thing with second place

[kushaze]

Fred Thompson depending on how he does in South Carolina. If everyone stays in after South Carolina I think that everyone will stay in until the end. I think the inevitability of a brokered convention is highly possible and thats why no one will be leaving soon.

[Janet0116]

I choose Huckabee. He's gunning for a VP spot anyway, and I expect a surge for Fred in the South.

[d991]

It would be great if Thompson dropped out. He's the only one other than Ron Paul who talks about the massive problems with Social Security and Health Care in an economic sense. (it's funny when he tries to talk about Actuarial concepts, since as an actuarial student I see right through his BS)
He did lay a nice smack-down on Huckabee tonight though.

[hellah10]

i say romney becuase hes putting all his chips on michigan... and i dont think he will win michigan

[mdh]

Duncan Hunter.

He's still in it.

[Goldwater Conservative]

Thompson is polling fourth in South Carolina, barely above Giuliani and not much higher than Paul. I think he'll actually finish better than that, probably second or a strong third, but he needs a resounding win to stay in this race. Anything less won't get him the funds he so desperately needs. He'll drop out and endorse McCain.

I think the rest of the field will make it to February 5th, although Giuliani is in danger of losing Florida and thereby heading into Super Tuesday with a big "L" on his forehead.

[Jobarra]

Fred is Huck's counterpart. Romney is McCain's counterpart. Giuliani and Paul are unique at the moment.

If anyone loses their counterpart, they will take the majority of that candidate's supporters. We want Giuliani out and the other four to stay as long as possible to lose votes to each other. That gives us a better chance of winning and also keeps their cash donations low. If there is any real leader at any point, he will get a large surge of cash.

[hellah10]

maybe im the only one thinking this... but i think someone will drop out FOR SURE after South Carolina... you need big bucks to advertise in that state... need to pay television stations in Georgia and North Carolina just to run your ADs on top of other things

[Andrew-Austin]

I think the media will prop up Thompson, only to keep him in the race a little while longer.

[Paul4Prez]

I think South Carolina will keep Fred Thompson in it a little longer. I voted for Rudy -- after he loses South Carolina and places third in Florida, it will all be over for him.

[frasu]

who the heck voted RP? :eek:

[dt_]

A few questions for you guys:

- Why did those of you who said Giuliani would drop out first, vote that way?
- Would it be better or worse for Ron Paul if more GOP candidates stayed in the race?

[jj111]

A few questions for you guys:

- Why did those of you who said Giuliani would drop out first, vote that way?
- Would it be better or worse for Ron Paul if more GOP candidates stayed in the race?

Better for Ron Paul if more GOP candidates stay in the race. No clear leader in the GOP is good for Ron Paul.

[dvictr]

they will all be there till feb 5th

[dt_]

i see..hmm

[gb13]

I'm not really sure. I voted Fred though.

[RedLightning]

Thompson if he doesn't do well in SC
Guiliani if he doesn't win Florida
Ron Paul honestly if he runs out of money and doesn't get at least third in a couple states.

[Dave Pedersen]

None of them by dropping out directly increases our support. If they remain ignorant they will not support Ron Paul.

We are not trying to get any of their supporters intact we are trying to educate people. Then they can only support one candidate: Ron Paul. Whoever they currently do or do not support makes no difference. Ours is only a race against constitutional ignorance.

And a race against time.