FredHeads Will Decide the GOP Nominee
FredHeads will play a vital role in this race and WILL end up choosing the nominee, though, to their obvious chagrin, it will not be for their first choice candidate.
I’ve been watching and analyzing this race for two years now, reading and commenting nearly daily at forumns such as RedState, FreeRepublic, and Race42008. I’ve seen the slow dance of Fred’s entrance, his surge in popularity and polls, and his steady decline. I’ve debated with FredHeads about both Fred and Mitt, their strengths and weaknesses. Interestingly, there has been a significant “warming” to Mitt among FredHeads and vice-a-versa over the last several weeks. Most Mitt supporters I know have Fred #2 on their list (me included . . . though it’s a close call with Rudy because I like his executive experience).
Whether or not Fred officially drops out, it’s clear that he does not have a realistic shot at becoming the nominee. His supporters will probably join other camps shortly.
Two online polls taken in the wake of last Saturday’s results asked folks who they’d vote for in a “Fred-less” field.
Over at RedState (jokingly referred to as “FredState”) this poll was asked . . . and here are the results as of now:
| Now that South Carolina is done, who will you vote for in your state? | ||
 |
||
| Selection | Votes | |
| John McCain |  14% |
307 |
| Mike Huckabee | 6% |
135 |
| Rudy Giuliani | 11% |
233 |
| Mitt Romney | 68% |
1,458 |
|
|
|
| 2,133 votes total | ||
Over at HotAir.com (another very pro-Fred blog), the question was even more direct:
| For Fred Supporters: If Fred Thompson drops out of the race, which major candidate would you support? | ||
|
||
| Selection | Votes | |
| Rudy Giuliani | 15% |
706 |
| Mike Huckabee | 4% |
213 |
| John McCain | 7% |
341 |
| Mitt Romney | 74% |
3,535 |
|
|
|
| 4,795 votes total | ||
There is much speculation that Fred will endorse McCain, so HotAir’s readership was asked if such an ensdorsement would effect their vote:
| If Fred Thompson endorses John McCain, what impact would that have on your vote? | ||
|
||
| Selection | Votes | |
| No impact | 88% |
2,862 |
| Somewhat more likely to vote for McCain | 6% |
205 |
| Much more likely to vote for McCain | 5% |
172 |
|
|
|
| 3,239 votes total | ||
Looks like FredHeads are the independent-minded voters that we’d expect of those supporting such a plain-spoken candidate.
For further evidence of FredHeads breaking for Mitt check out the comment section at HotAir (sorry, I didn’t read all 1400 of them).
Some are even calling for a Romney/Fred ticket! I wouldn’t have a problem with that personally. As Mitt supporters, we welcome any and all FredHeads into the fold.
Jeff Fuller
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:10 am
Exactly Right! Thompson is already gone! He will not endorse either Gramps or Mitt. He will wait to see who wins then go for the VP slot. Besides endorsements mean NOTHING after 2 days of media hype!
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:29 am
It would be nice to see that added support. Smart thing for Fred to do is not support anyone and see who comes out on top. That is, if he were even interested in being a vp. That way, he has not aggrevated anyone. The Fred supporters are closer to us than the other candidates, no matter how close McCain and he are anyway, ergo, the 6% inclination to be swayed by his outward support of McCain.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:52 am
Check out Jim Geraghty’s post this morning at:
http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MDgyMmI2NmI3NTAwNDI5MjY1NTcxY2I5MGM1NzhjMmI=
He will not endorse, I am told by this source close to Thompson.
I am also told, “he has no interest in a vice presidency or a cabinet position.” At an “appropriate time” he will outline his plans for the near future.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Great post Jeff!
WELCOME ALL FRED-HEADS! At this blog site, we will do everything we can to welcome you and include you into our camp instantly, immediately.
Though I don’t think endorsements carry much value, I hope that FDT endorses GMR.
At any rate, welcome all Fred supporters!
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:26 pm
I have several friends who have been torn between Fred and Mitt so I can see this being a move that some Thompson supporters will make. Fred was my number two choice. He ia a good man who was willing to put his life on hold to serve his country. I hope all is going well with Fred’s mother being ill.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
This just in….Fox news has just reported that Fred Thompson has dropped out of the race!
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Rush just announced that Fred has withdrawn from the race.
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Right! Fred’s gone — and if those numbers are right, and Rasmussen’s latest results hold true, then Mitt just won Florida. And then it’s on to Super Tuesday, where Mitt will secure the nomination. I’m so excited.
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:29 pm
I was a Thompson supporter and was hopeful that he would break into the lead. Alas, that was not to be. At this point in time, I would love Romney to pick Thompson as his running mate and campaign across the country together. Both have considerable experience outside of government and Romney could use someone with Washington legislative experience to “round-out” his ticket and help press his agenda through Congress. Having a southerner balances out Mitt’s northeast/midwest roots. Their platforms are more similar than any other two candidates. Jointly, they would present a formidable tandem that should quickly lock in the GOP nomination and save considerable resources to fight whomever the democrat party decides upon. I believe that, if selected, the similarities that Rudy, John and Mike have with the democrats on many issues will cause many Republicans to sit out the November election and therefore, lose the Presidency. The cynic in me believes it is this reason why much of the newspapers and network television has provided considerable support to these three candidates over their more conservative competitors.
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Hello!
I was considered a “Floridian FredHead”. He has my support from the very beginning. I was excited when I saw him peak in the polls and disheartened when I saw his lack of enthusiam for the candidacy and the falling polls.
I knew in my heart that Fred was going to drop out of the race but I called my contact within their Fla headquarters and while they couldnt confirm it, she confided in me that “it doesnt look good”.
I voted early today (before Fred’s resignation) and decided to go with my 2nd alternative- Mitt Romney.
I think it is smart in Fred’s book not to endorse a particular candidate if he wants to stand a chance of VP but to be honest, I dont think he does. I think he was pushed into this by outside sources.
However, if he was serious.. I would DEFINITELY be supportive of a Romney/Thompson ticket!
January 22nd, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Welcome Fred supporters. Romney will not let you down. He will get the job done. Thanks for supporting Mitt Romney for President.
January 23rd, 2008 at 2:44 am
McCain is an anti-tax cut, pro-amnesty Republican. That will never fly in this party. Mitt will take Florida and then be positioned as the clear front-runner going into Super Tuesday. Go Romney in ‘08!
January 23rd, 2008 at 2:59 am
The worst thing that could happen to America would be Obama or Clinton to win, the next worst thing would be McCain getting the GOP Nomination.
Today we have a choice, Mitt Romney has won 3 states, McCain 2 Liberal states, and has Liberals endorsing him and the Liberal Media pushing him on us.
Not one of the other Candidates have vowed if we elect him to serve the Conservative agenda. I now must place my faith into the hands of a man who I heard say he would win the war, build up the military, Lower taxes, and smaller Gov, He will send every one of them Illegal aliens home. I do ask one request, Any Illegal alien serving in the military who died in Iraq, or Afghanistan that he allow the wife and Children of this wounded or dead soldier to remain in America and be given the chance to prove they are worthy of becoming an American with a clean record and speak English. This I do believe we must give to them who gave their all to helping maintain our freedom. That would be the only ones, the rest must go back and stand in line and prove they want to be an American so bad that they will assimilate into our society and remove their ties to their country. Ed McGarvey
January 23rd, 2008 at 3:08 am
As I am a retired Disabled Vet living on a fixed income, I wish to give to Romney, but will wait till we start in Pa to support candidates, I will help out Romney in every way, raising funds, getting signatures and sending out emails to Somerset County GOP base. By then I will have some spare change to give as I am now helping to fund William Russell running against John Murtha in My home town area in Pa 12th Congressional district.
I urge all who want to win in both races to help out Bill Russell with a few dollars. I can guarantee a Romney victory in My Somerset County in Pa. Visit William Russell For Congress, lets take back the Congress as well as maintaining a GOP President.
January 23rd, 2008 at 4:49 am
FRED SUPPORTERS:
Welcome aboard. I join with Tray, and others in this blog, in giving you the confidence that Governor Romney will not let you down. All of us who have been working so hard for him will continue to do our utmost to help him realize the strategic plans he has to help America in big ways.
January 23rd, 2008 at 4:58 am
Ed,
THANK YOU for a great comment! I have not heard Gov. Romney speak on the subject of illegal immigrants whose relatives have died in military service. My personal opinion aligns with yours ALL THE WAY! I believe that Gov. Romney’s would as well.