So says senior officials in both camps, according to Martin over at Politico.
Senior Thompson advisor Rich Galen says if Fred decides to stay in the race, he’ll most likely skip Florida and focus on southern 2/5 states… and Huckabee campaign manager Chip Saltsman says that they have no plans to air television ads in Florida (and don’t have the money to do so anyway… if they do air ads, it will only be on the last weekend before the primary) and Huckabee himself says he may yet pull out of Florida to focus on states like Georgia — where he very tellingly spent yesterday and will be spending today.
This just might create the perfect storm in Florida for Mitt Romney, with his two conservative rivals not putting much, if any, effort into the state. As Martin says:
Much can happen in a week’s time — Thursday’s debate in Boca could be pivotal — but this is the most promising day Romney’s camp has had since their victory in Michigan last Tuesday.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:18 pm
BEWARE………
The RETURN………..
Hoo, Hah, Haa, Haaaaaahhhhhh
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:20 pm
GO MITT!
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Very good news……..Indeed!!
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:23 pm
ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROMNEY GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Ugh. Annoying.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:27 pm
#4……….
CUKOO, CUKOO, CUKOO, CUKOO, CUKOO,
CUKOO, CUKOO, CUKOO, CUKOO, CUKOO,
CUKOO, CUKOO, CUKOO, CUKOO, CUKOO,
CUKOO, CUKOO, CUKOO, CUKOO, CUKOO,
CUKOO, CUKOO, CUKOO, CUKOO, CUKOO,
CUKOO, CUKOO, CUKOO, CUKOO, CUKOO,
CUKOO, CUKOO, CUKOO, CUKOO, CUKOO,
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:29 pm
ISSSSSSSSSSSSS THE HUCK-A-BUST……….
JUST CAN’T WAIT FOR THE MCRUMBLE.
I just feel sorry for Thompson.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Huckabee has the largest grassroots support in Florida – 14,000 active – beware
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Actually probably good strategy for both Huck and Fred. Since FL is winner take all, putting your energy somewhere else is the only choice.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:33 pm
nowandlater,
I’m friends with a couple decent therapists……..
Need their phone numbers…..
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:34 pm
nowandlater,
You’re a very fickle sort of person. 6 months ago, you were backing Romney enthusiastically. 2 months ago, you were backing Huckabee enthusiastically. Now you seem to hate both with the fire of a thousand suns. My preferences have changed seriously during this race, but there’s nothing like such dramatic reversals. I know you seem to believe that Romney and Huckabee are historically unelectable, and plausibly that Romney will hurt your church’s image. I can’t say much about the latter, but the former strikes me as awfully silly. Every single Republican president, other then George W. Bush, has trailed by double digits in general election match-ups leading up to the convention. Bush trailed Dukakis by 16 points in May of 88′. He trailed by 17 after the convention. He wound up winning 40 states. Reagan trailed historically in both 80′ and 84′ in the months leading up to the election. This is something that simply happens to Republican candidates, and specifically something that happens to incumbent party’s. They trail heavily and then rebound significantly. McCain and Rudy are somewhat exceptional, in that they either aren’t handicapped by the traditional media kneecap to Republican candidates (McCain) or they’ve made their names on something historically important (Rudy). Maybe their successes will carry through the general election, but maybe they won’t. McCain in particular strikes me as quite a bit less electable then he’s currently being portrayed.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:34 pm
nowandlater,
Also I’m so glad someone else has taken the crown of “Most Annoying Commenter”
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:35 pm
i saw something saying that no one would buy a superbowl ad, but if romney wins FL he should drop 3 mil on a superbowl ad, and make it funny.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Isn’t Fred done if he skips FLA? No way he can compete in the Super Tuesday states without anything better than 3rd in SC.
http://www.political-buzz.com/
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Was Chip Saltsman a Lobbyist? I read somewhere he was, but only in one place, and I’m not so quick to believe everything I read.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
#13 Something with bobble-heads.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I have heard that a very high percentage of the vote was already cast via absentee….something more that ?20%. Can that be true. That might indeed favor Guiliani given his long stretch in the state up till now.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Jesus Christ, nowandlater, come on!
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
This indeed great news. While McCain and Rudy battle it our for the liberal & moderate vote, to a degree, Romney can start working the Fred Thompson supporters. It is a perfect storm. I did not want to see McCain wiin because he did not have to split his vote among three candidates. If McCain wins because he is supported by the republicans as a whole, that’s fine. However, if he won because the other candidates split the vote, that was my problem.
Good, encouraging news for Romney. It’s about time the vote narrowed to just 2-3 candidates.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
#15,
the only place I read that was on a pro-romney site that didnt cite his reference – I dont think so else it would have been all over the web.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Nowandlater has figured out how to ctrl-c, ctrl-v….congrats!
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:45 pm
“I have heard that a very high percentage of the vote was already cast via absentee….something more that ?20%. Can that be true. That might indeed favor Guiliani given his long stretch in the state up till now.”
I heard 40% have already voted. But those polling absentee voters return mixed results: they aren’t all voting for Rudy, alas. We shall see.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Buying a Superbowl ad would be overly frivolous, no matter how effective it may be. For 3 mil, you could run a couple dozen regular primetime ads, thousands of radio ads, and who knows how much print media and mailers.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:47 pm
22. all those numbers are pure guesses. I don’t believe any official number has been released/leaked from the elections board.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:51 pm
#22, Is it too late for Floridians to register to vote or can you register on the same day?
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:52 pm
It continues to amaze me that many in the media continue to refer to Thompson and Huckabee as Mitt’s conservative rivals. Certainly Fred is, but one really has to stretch the definition of conservative past the breaking point to include the Huckster in it.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Funny–I thought FRED is stretching it when he calls himself a “conservative.”
That Mark Levin guy has been a real shill for Fred lately–kina makes me sick…
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:58 pm
#27 Mark Levin doesn’t seem to be having much of an effect.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:59 pm
#25, it’s too late. I think it’s a 30-day deal.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:59 pm
I know, but he used to be interesting to listen to before he started on this constant “Fred Thompson is the second coming” garbage.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:00 pm
If Fred backs out and supports McCain, we will know for sure that his conservative “core principles” talk was just that … talk.
I hope this doesn’t happen.
I’d love to have him back Mitt, but if not, it would be to not back anyone. I’ve heard this is probably going to be the case … if he drops out.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:00 pm
From listening to Fred, I’ve come around. Yea, he’s supported some of McCain’s crazy plans, but I think he really believes in conservative principles. I think he’s solid on conservative principles if not specific enough about policies.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Matthew (#14) Fred also has a silver medal from Wyoming and a bronze in Nevada, but then, no one cares about us western folks.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:05 pm
#29 Yep, that seems to favor McCain.
In order to vote in an upcoming election, you must be registered before the registration books are closed for the respective election. The registration deadline for an election in Florida is 29 days before the election. If you are submitting a new registration application, your registration date will be the date that your completed application is postmarked or hand-delivered to the office of any Supervisor of Elections, the Division of Elections, a driver’s license office, a voter registration agency, or an armed forces recruitment office.
Presidential Preference Primary Election… December 31, 2007
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:06 pm
OUCH!
http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/
Forgotten but not gone
He hasn’t even exited the race yet — nor indicated whether he will or not — but some of Fred’s supporters are already trying to put a toe tag on him.
What’s worse, they’re leaping to his rivals.
Two of Thompson’s more prominent supporters, Georgia Senate president Eric Johnson and former New York Sen. Al D’Amato, have both jilted him to get behind Mitt Romney and John McCain, respectively.
I’d say that’s a strong hint, but a hint typically implies subtlety.
And endorsing another candidate while your own guy is still in the race ain’t that subtle.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:07 pm
BarkTwiggs (#23) Normally, I would agree with you that it is not wise to put some cash on Superbowl AD. However, MSM has done a good job of making Mitt inaccessible (slick con used car salesman image and more). You cannot get more base with the “Joes and their Beers” than doing the Nascar AD. Since Nascar is not in season, Football is the next best thing.
And do not forget how nutty Mitt is with sports. He did have the tailgate party in Iowa at the game between Iowa rivals (Iowa University and Iowa State, I think). He also had a couple of events at Red Sox’ stadium. I won’t put it beyond him to do it, if his research does show it to be effective.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:08 pm
RACE OF A LIFETIME
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Irish Right, the primaries so far does show that Mitt and Huckabee are going at it neck to neck for the evangelical votes. So yes, Huckabee not in this round is a good news for Mitt. Perhaps he will get 1% or 2%.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:10 pm
#35, I believe the guy who switched to Romney, decided early on that he would back Romney if Fred didn’t do strong in the early states.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:11 pm
“So yes, Huckabee not in this round is a good news for Mitt. Perhaps he will get 1% or 2%.”
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INFO? SEE HTTP://PRESS.HUCKSARMY.COM
HUCK IS IN FLORIDA, ALONG WITH 14000 GRASSROOTS VOLUNTEERS!
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:13 pm
bjalder26, perhaps you have not heard, but it was going on for a while that Romney and Rudy campaigns were very active in getting their supporters out and registered with Florida. They have been at it since last Summer. Whereas, McCain, Huckabee and Fred, when they were bunked down in their “stand-or-dead” states, could not extend resources to get new people in Florida to register. Really, McCain has only the old voters (from 2000), while Romney/Rudy will see more number from younger age groups.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I hope a lot of McCain’s supporters who are picking him in the polls can’t vote in the Republican primary.
“Florida is a closed primary election state. That means, only voters who are registered members of the two major political parties (Democrats and Republicans) may vote in a primary election for partisan candidates. Registered minor political party voters and voters who register without a party affiliation are not eligible to voter for major party candidates in a primary election.”
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:15 pm
#38 It depends on whether they believe the anti mormon stuff or they just believe in conservative principles like abortion.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Brett, you cannot trust sources from within campaigns. They will always try to spin to high heaven. Check out a post on this site from independent sources (Marc and Prowler) who received confirmations from individual staff. 14,000 is way too high of a number to accept. Not even Obama have that many volunteers, and he’s way more popular than any of our own candidates.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Grandma, what I mean by “Joes and their Beers” is that often, the media would ask an average person (“Joe”) who they would rather to sit down and drink beer (or soda, as the case may be) with. Mitt does not do well in this area, even though they do recognize his abilities, knowledges and experiences. I am just wondering if Mitt could increase his being on a more personal basis with the common “Joe” by having a funny Superbowl AD.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:19 pm
NRO is reporting that Fred is going to drop out today. Come on people get a front page post on this pronto.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:20 pm
FOX NEWS ALERT BY CARL CAMERON SAYS THAT THOMPSON WILL DROP OUT OFFICIALLY IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.
THE DYNAMIC SHIFTS.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:22 pm
#40 Or you can reach Huckabee’s website by googling “hate” “mormons”. Not really, but if you read some of the comments, you’ll know, some of the Huckabee supporters won’t be moving to Mitt.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:22 pm
I doubt anyone is buying a superbowl ad. With the patriots in the superbowl ads will now cost 5 Million a pop.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:22 pm
#46,47 MITT WINS FLORIDA!
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Funny–I thought FRED is stretching it when he calls himself a “conservative.â€
Granted he hasn’t actually called for nuking Iran. But he’s a conservative.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:27 pm
A superbowl ad only makes sense for someone who’s sure they’re the nominee and wants to define the national conversation right away. And who has cash to burn. And who doesn’t think that newspapers and TV commenting on the ad won’t indulge in some smears. Which basically eliminates everyone.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Fred’s out. Florida = reaaaaally close to being Mitt’s.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I can dislike individuals that are mean to my family, but to dislike a group of people they haven’t met is NOT christian.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:28 pm
The Corner says that Fred has officially dropped out. Sad, but all the best for Fred.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Senator Thompson is the only consertative with an unwavering record that will stand up against hillary or barak in November. If he bows out of the race conservatives have already lost. There is no other running with unbreakable principles.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:30 pm
#50
And if Mitt cannot win Florida with all these advantages we will know that he is unelectable in the general.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I don’t understand why so many of you assume that fred’s support will go to romney. giuliani is just as strong if not stronger on the economy and assorted fiscal issues, and he has the security and foreign policy credentials as well ..which romney clearly does not.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Loved this response to Jonathan Martin’s piece over at politico:
“Jonathan Martin sat back in his chair, wiping the sweat away from his forehead and taking a long drink from the glass of water beside him. He had known from the start that it was going to be a challenge, but he had believed he was up to it
“It was something he had never attempted before – writing an entirely positive post about Mitt Romney – but his editor assured him that he could do it. After all, he was a journalist. He had laughed in the face of more difficult challenges than this.
“And so it came that he was sitting in his office now, perusing the results of his work. He had made it to the second to last sentence, and everything seemed to be going well. Except for the constant churning and turning of his stomach, and the sweat that was beginning to run down his forehead and into his eyes. He typed the words carefully. Deliberately. ‘it could be for once that Romney is not’… But then he stopped, and his hand began to move, almost invulantarily. He hit the back space button 13 times, and continued ………….’the despised Romney is not’…He had to admit that it felt better. He had to be true to his own beliefs, and it didn’t matter who knew it…
Posted by pseino
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Brett Passmore,
Can’t you get you’re 14,000 grassroots, homeschooled, Pastors and Congregations to pass around the plate and try to get your guy some money so that he can compete in Florida? Don’t your people have any money stashed underneith some mattress somewhere?
Let me tell you, I’ve knocked a whole lot of doors in my day; not very efficient It seems a whole lot more efficient if you can get your guy to go and do big rallies and events, but of course that takes money. By the way, if you are just getting people from out-of-state to convert Floridians to Huckabee, how are you going to do it on Feb 5th? You can’t possibly get your grassroots out-of-staters to go to every state. It just doesn’t seem like a ‘sustainable’ strategy. Of course if Huckabee had the power to take people’s money from them (just like he did in AR), he could do whatever he wanted in his campaign.
I’m just trying to help you see the light. Huckabee is going to end the campaign sometime early February and I hope you choose Romney over McCain.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:33 pm
#60-
I think that an all-out effort by Huck in Florida would be the greatest development in the world.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:58 pm
looks like romney is not going to enjoy the lack of fire in his direction like he was probably hoping. this could potentially really change the race there in florida.
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Apology to all for nowandlaters’s behavior. Trust me, there is a few in every crowd. He does not represent the majority of LDS people.
Nowandlater, we’ve withstood far harsher things than a presidential election. Our religion will survive this nature, no problem. Man up.
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:30 pm
#63 oops, “something of this nature”
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:30 pm
And by the way, I don’t believe your LDS.