Thompson
Fred Thompson
From NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann and Adam Aigner-Treworgy
NBC and National Journal have learned that former presidential candidate Fred Thompson is visiting GOP nominee John McCain at McCain's Arizona cabin in Sedona this weekend.
No word of what's been discussed, although a source with knowledge of the visit says that the purpose may be more of a relaxing weekend getaway than a business meeting. (The two men have been longtime personal friends, even during their overlapping presidential bids.)
Thompson endorsed McCain after ending his own run for the GOP nomination.
From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
It's back to Hollywood for Fred Thompson. The as-seen-on-TV candidate, who dropped out after his once-vaunted presidential run faded, has been signed by a high-powered Hollywood agency.
The "William Morris Agency announced this week that it has signed the actor/politician, signaling a return to the screen for the former senator from Tennessee," the AP reports.
Maybe he can become president in 2008 after all -- even if it is just pretend.
From NBC's Mark Murray
Fred Thompson, the former Tennessee senator, just released this statement, "Today I have withdrawn my candidacy for President of the United States. I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort. Jeri and I will always be grateful for the encouragement and friendship of so many wonderful people."
Thompson's withdrawal comes after finishing a respective third, sixth and third in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.
From NBC's Abby Livingston and Andy Merten and NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann
It was the political equivalent of Geraldo opening Al Capone’s vault. After early South Carolina results show Thompson trailing Huckabee and McCain, MSNBC cut away from political analysis for Thompson to make an announcement. Smelling blood, political reporters and junkies held their breaths, leaning into their televisions, wondering, “Is this the night Fred Thompson is going to withdraw?”
No dice.
Instead, Thompson essentially delivered his stump speech and made little acknowledgement that there was even a race that day. A race, in fact, that he had described only eight days ago as “his stand.”
One of the more noteworthy aspects of the speech was a possible sarcastic quip, “It may be a little early to declare victory, I’m not sure…” Thompson said.
But the crowd appeared to take him literally and cheered enthusiastically. “We told our folks to vote late so they’ll still be trickling in,” he added.
CONTINUED >>
From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Huckabee’s rally today at Greenville Technical College was a marked difference from Thompson’s earlier about 50 minutes away. Aside from setting -- a modern college auditorium versus local restaurant -- it was also one of feel. The pulse of support was much more palpable at Huckabee’s. There was enthusiasm, as chants of “I like Mike” broke out on a number of occasions. Fred’s event was much more serene.
The topics were also different. Huckabee took no questions, but, looking relaxed and in place, he struck a populist appeal as he led off talking about the souring economy. He lamented unemployment in South Carolina jumping to 6.6% and chided other Republicans for not seeing a downturn coming, accusing them of being out of touch.
The economy is not going well “if you talk to those working in kitchens, driving the cab and not sitting in the back seat, those working on the factory floor,” Huckabee told about 300 in attendance.
CONTINUED >>
From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
SENECA, S.C. -- Thompson took a couple of shots at Romney and Huckabee on authenticity and immigration, respectively, when given the chance here during a radio interview and questions from the crowd that followed.
“I haven’t changed positions,” Thompson told about 125 people packed into the Seneca Family Restaurant in the northwest socially conservative reaches of the state. “I have been consistent… I haven’t had to have that long a memory to remember where I stand. All these other fellows, you wouldn’t recognize them from where they were their entire political lives before this.”
Later, a man, who is actually from Kentucky and has followed Thompson to different events, told him he’s “sick of this illegal problem” and took shots at McCain and Huckabee for their stances and record on immigration.
“Well, if you could throw in something about Romney, that’d be all right,” Thompson said, smiling. He said he disagrees with Huckabee and his friend McCain on immigration. And added, “Now everyone’s tough on the border and immigration. Well, I’m glad for the new conversions; it’s always welcome.”
CONTINUED >>
From NBC's Abby Livingston
Oh, how the mud continues to fly in South Carolina. And Thompson is getting in on the action. Asked this morning on a radio show in West Columbia, S.C., about the Common Sense Issues push polls against him, he shrugged it off, but added, “I'm obviously familiar with the push poll concept. Same folks did that in Iowa, and you know, it seems to be coming from one direction, but I won't call any names, but Gov. Huckabee says he doesn't know anything about it. So....”
The audience then laughed, and Thompson responded with a mischevious grin.
“So, I guess we'll have to take his word for it,” he added.
Lee Atwater must be smiling down on his home state right about now.
From NBC/NJ's Carrie DannNORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. --
Thompson and
Huckabee sparred earlier this week
after Thompson called the Arkansas governor a dirty word: "liberal."
Today, speaking to reporters after a campaign event at a breakfast
restaurant in North Charleston, Thompson served up another helping.
Asked
to respond to Huckabee's charge that Thompson voted for Republican
candidates other than conservative icon Ronald Reagan in 1976 and 1980,
Thompson scoffed, "That's kind of silly." He explained his support of
longtime Tennessee mentor Howard Baker before adding, "If you check the
record, Governor Huckabee supported Democrats on a fairly consistent
basis during his days in Arkansas politics.
"I don't think he wants to get into that discussion."
CONTINUED >>
From NBC's Abby Livingston
Thompson stands tall at six-foot-five (or taller), and it appears that slumbering giant has awoken. Perhaps it's because he's campaigning among his fellow southerners. Or perhaps it is because of the positive reviews he received from last night’s debate. Or perhaps it is just because it’s crunch time.
No matter what it is, Thompson is showing some spark. “I am delivering the message that I am the consistent conservative, and I am making my stand in South Carolina!” he said today at a campaign stop in the Palmetto State.
His chest swelled with pride as he discussed the latest debate. “There's been a lot of talk about that little debate we had last night. And I'm not saying it's getting a little rough, but we did put a little bullet proof siding on the bus outside.”
To which a woman hollered out, “Get rough Fred, get rough!”
CONTINUED >>
From NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann
COLUMBIA, SC -- Thompson said here, "This is where I'm drawing the line. We had to get out of Iowa with a third place finish in order to be credible to come forward. We made a pit stop in New Hampshire. But South Carolina is where I'm standing for the nomination of president of the United States."
"All of my buddies who are running for president this year are up freezing in New Hampshire tonight. You know, shivering around, walking around, there are snowbanks up to about right here. And I'm in South Carolina. Now who do you think is smart enough to be president?" (Actually, it is pretty warm in New Hampshire today and tonight...)
Thompson continued, "We had to make a little sojourn in New Hampshire in order to participate in those what they call debates Saturday and Sunday night. That's everybody gets together to exchange their soundbites in 30 second increments. Then they try to make you raise your hands. I kinda put a stop to that."
