Mr. 13% --->>>

[Stephanie]

Awesome, dude. So sorry I missed the party.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0108/7711.html

DES MOINES, Iowa — Nothing makes for a lackluster afterparty like a tie for third place. And that’s where Fred Thompson finished in Thursday’s caucus.

....

Thompson implied he might soon drop out of the race, saying, “We’ll have to look at our finance numbers.”

But there’s nothing like playing to a crowd with low expectations.

“It looks like someone’s gonna have to carry a strong conservative message, and it looks like it’s gonna be me.” The crowd went wild as if Thompson had just sworn up and down that he was sure to win.

....

Thompson’s supporters were pleased that the potential catastrophe of a fourth- or even fifth-place finish, a specter raised by low poll numbers for Thompson in the last few days, was averted.

They gamely shouted and waved signs for the television cameras.

But the chants of “Fred, Fred, Fred” seemed forced. Supporters cheered weakly during Iowa Rep. Steve King’s long introduction of the candidate. And during the party, Thompson’s staffers paced in the back of the room, talking grimly into their cell phones.

In fact, considering the small, low-energy crowds like this one that have greeted Thompson’s Iowa bus tour recently, it seems remarkable that he finished as well as he did.

[babylonsister]

1. That's a sad, sad picture.

:( :evilgrin:

[robbedvoter]

2. Great picture! I'd love one for each of them - GOP nutz!

[TwilightGardener]

3. Poor Fred--he beat expectations in Iowa, but he's like Edwards--having his

political obituary read this morning. Oh well, Gramps, that's the way the Metamucil crumbles.

[lame54]

8. Thompson is toast but don't count Edwards out

[spanone]

4. mccain & thompson tied with 13%. the media called it a victory for both....go figure

[onehandle]

5. "I'm pretty tired. I think I'll go home now." nt

[Selatius]

6. A slice of humble pie is what I recommend for the Repub Party, especially Bush loyalists.

The ones who still support Bush deserve a lesson in humility.

[lame54]

7. "But i thought everybody liked me."

:nopity:

[YOY]

9. It's really too bad. I was looking forward to making fun of his folksy comparisons

Yah see....yah can slap a Carolina possum's grandmomma in the middle of winter but don't expect to get to second base with an Minnesota senator on a toad's belly!

Sigh...

[On the Road]

10. It All Depends on Where The Ex-Thompson People Go

Personally, I have no handle on Thompson supporters and have no idea where they'll go.

A lot has to do with timing. Clinton won in 1992 largely because when Perot dropped out of the race (temporarily as it turned out) almost all the Perot vote went to Clinton.

It sounds strange, but if Thompson voters are those dissatisfied with the major GOP candidates, Huckabee might benefit.