Say Goodbye to Old Man Thompson! ------>>>

[Stephanie]

Here's your hat, what's your hurry? Don't let the door hit you! See ya, wouldn't want to be ya!

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/TheNote/story?id=4073186&page=1

Low-Key Thompson Stumbles Toward Finish Line

--snip--

Thompson's campaign scheduled only one event for New Year's Day, a meet-and-greet at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, about an hour outside Des Moines. Thompson, R-Tenn., shunned the bus, emblazoned with his picture, for the relative comfort of a black Chevrolet Suburban.

"We decided that we would give the people a break," Thompson told reporters after a casual 34 minutes spent meeting veterans. "We could either — it was a close call, to go jogging in almost zero-degree weather, or stay in and take a nap. After considerable consideration, I decided to take a nap."

...

On Sunday, Thompson raised his own stakes in Iowa, saying, "I need to come in second" in the caucuses. With Huckabee and Romney firmly established at the top of the field, some pundits joked that Thompson was giving himself an excuse to exit a race he's never loved being in.

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//080102/480/a27c97dcb9d3491f8022360996cea2da/

[gratuitous]

1. Campaign, or nap? Campaign or nap?

Ah, the eternal quandary of being Fred Thompson. As long as "nap" is among the choices, I have a feeling we all know what Fred's going to decide to do. And I'm sure that his decision to avoid campaigning has nothing whatsoever to do with, you know, not having two red cents in his campaign war chest to rub together.

[hadrons]

5. Any naps can be dangerous for Grandpa ... not sure if he'll wake up

At least you know if he's (somewhat) alive when he on the trail

[TwilightGardener]

2. Here's my take on Old Man Thompson--

he was there to run interference for McCain. He knew he was never going to be Preznit, he was just there to take out Romney. That's why he started so late, and barely worked. I really believe he and McCain had a pact, same as McCain now has a pact with Huckabee.

[SteelPenguin]

27. Nah, I think he thought it'd be a cakewalk

The right wasn't thrilled with their candidates, so they sort of elevated Fred Thompson into this mythical Neo-Reagan who would be their savior.

Fred bought the hype and thought, well I don't really want to do it, but hell if I can win the nomination just by standing up I guess I can do it.

Then he stood up and people looked at him, listened to him, and said "uh, yeah no thanks".

So now he's setting that so he can just walk away and claim dignity. His heart was never in it, he was talked into it by being told he'd be the front runner, he wasn't, and he's been waiting to quit since then.

[salin]

3. buh bye Fred

I will miss the humor that you brought to the campaign coverage - although it wasn't humor that was intended by you - you provided many a-laugh. Now go get some rest...

[hadrons]

4. Freepers still love him though .....

He's not acting differently than when he was a Sen. (which was sort of good in a way since when he did put some effort into his job he was often overmatched ... even to the point where John Glenn was outmaneuvering him.)

Still, its a sad reflection on the 50%+ of people who voted for him in Tenn.

[Scurrilous]

25. Jim Robinson Endorses Fred Thompson

<snip>

Jim Robinson, founder of Free Republic has endorsed Fred. Here’s part of his endorsement:

With Fred, we know we’re getting a solid, no-nonsense, commonsense pro life and liberty conservative who will defend the nation, secure the borders, defend the constitution, appoint originalist judges, defend the Bush tax cuts, work to simplify and flatten the tax code, keep social security solvent while providing alternative private accounts, reduce government and spending, and work to return states issues to the states. Imagine that.

In fact, he comes closest to being the conservative leader I’ve been praying for all these years. I don’t know about you, but I think it would be great to be able to enthusiastically support and work for a true conservative candidate whose principles and convictions match so many of my own.

http://fredfile.fred08.com/blog/2008/jim-robinson-endorses-fred-thompson/#comment-37761

[bahrbearian]

6. Hang in there Fred,,, Regan liked to Nap too.

and he managed to become the Second Worst President Ever

[rurallib]

7. Fred may still have time to cross the writer's picket lines

MAke a few appearances on the Leno show.

[predfan]

8. I'm listening to conservative radio out of Nashville right now

and the host is on the verge of tears. " Who'll we support, what'll we do" is the common theme. Consensus answer is to sit out primary and then "hold their collective nose " and vote for the nominee, got to beat the dems for the good of America. There just isn't any other conservative in the race for them, especially not Huckabee, who they seem to despise.

[Missy Vixen]

9. It must be exhausting to keep up with that much younger wife

Poor guy.

Nice way to back out of the campaign without appearing to do so.

IMHO, YMMV,
Julie

[lame54]

10. Is he flippin' the bird?

[LeFleur1]

11. Just for the Record

Thompson had the same nonsensical ideas when he was young, and moved at about the same speed. He's always been slow. It isn't his age. It's his mindset. :)

[lame54]

13. Not exactly an answer to my question

[AlCzervik]

15. looks like hook em horns.

[lame54]

17. No - i think it's the finger...

there a shadow that kinda makes it look horns - but i'm going with the finger

[spanone]

12. i never said hello....the great white dope

[Richard Steele]

14. He's trying to play to his base with a "Fred Phelps" hat. nm

[salin]

16. He is now saying... "Not True!" I am still running

but that he will pledge support to McCain if he doesn't show well. How is that for speaking out of both sides of the mouth.

[Johonny]

18. I imagine

Fred felt there was $$ to be made running for president this year. Either he's made it already, or the real cash will come after he gets out and back on the tube as an impartial talking head bashing Dems/ praising Rethugs all 2008.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

19. Bye Frud

:hi:

[janx]

20. Does this mean you won't be posting "Old Man Thompson"

pic threads anymore? :cry:

What ever will we do without them?

[SoCalDem]

21. He could still end up in the WH

just change to McCain-Thompson

[janx]

22. Oh good...

That's such a relief! :rofl:

[Stephanie]

29. Will the photogs still supply me with pix? Here's Old Fred with his daughters >

Just for you.

[BrotherBuzz]

23. I just know he shunned the bus because they couldn't fill it

:rofl:

[politicasista]

24. He needs to go back to Law and Order

and take the rest of the GOP field with him. :rofl:

[avrdream]

26. What the hell is he GETTING out of this?

His campaign makes absolutely NO SENSE!

[Graybeard]

28. His trophy wife wanted to be First Trophy Wife.

She wouldn't stop whining about it until he threw his dusty hat into the ring.

[Blarch]

30. Fred was seen leaving Iowa earlier today...

[Quixote1818]

31. A 3rd place finish would be very good for him.

Please don't write him off yet!!!

[Catherine Vincent]

32. Why is that guy behind him holding that Stop sign? :)

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

33. This is my favorite Thompson pic:

It SO speaks of drinking vending machine coffee from those little paper cups with the paper "elephant ear" handles, at 3 AM.

[Libby2]

34. Adios Asshole