Fred’s mother is ill and her condition has deteriorated today. I ask that everyone and the candidates give the family space to make their own decisions about the process, and respect whatever his wishes may be.
UPDATE at 9:00 pm: To clear up some rumors floating around, just got word from the campaign:
1. Thompson has not pulled out of Florida’s debate Thursday night yet. Fox News is wrong in their reporting yet again, at this stage.
2. Yes, she has been ill for a while, but has improved since earlier today.
January 21st, 2008 at 8:47 pm
best wishes to fred and his mother.
January 21st, 2008 at 8:48 pm
jeez.
Yes, deffinately, best wishes and prayers to Fred and his family.
January 21st, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Fred and his family will be in our prayers.
Makes you realize how unimportant this race really is.
January 21st, 2008 at 8:57 pm
We’ll pray for her recovery/improvement.
January 21st, 2008 at 8:59 pm
A very heartening post Tommy.
Although I have been one who has called for Fred to stay in and fight on, the life of Senator Thompson’s mother is more important than the Presidency. Had these sad events not occurred, Fred may well have been the next President of the United States. However, taking into consideration the deteriorating health of the Thompson matriarch, I hereby call upon Fred to consider suspending his campaign to be by his mother’s side until this is resolved. Although it would have been fun to watch Fred barnstorm Florida and the rest of the South, some things just take precedence.
January 21st, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Prayers and thoughts for the Thompson family during this difficult time.
January 21st, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Best wishes to Fred Thompson and his family. What a tough situation to be in. But, as others have noted, loved ones take precedence over all.
January 21st, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Hear hear (apart from that deluded post from JA blaming Fred’s mother on Fred’s failed campaign).
January 21st, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Best regards to Fred and his family. This is a sad development.
January 21st, 2008 at 9:14 pm
on the update – I do not believe that Fox was reporting that he had pulled out, I believe they were reporting statements from his campaign that said he “had no plans” to attend the debate.
January 21st, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Carl Cameron is reporting Sen Thompson will make an announcement tomorrow morning. Apparently Sen Thompson’s Sr Aide said on the “Brian and the Judge” radio show that Fred “may be better suited for the VP.”
Whatever Sen Thompson does I hope he takes time to get things settled with his mother. I can only imagine how difficult things must be for the Thompsons right now.
Once again – our thoughts and prayers go out to all involved.
January 21st, 2008 at 9:25 pm
“Carl Cameron is reporting Sen Thompson will make an announcement tomorrow morning.”
well, there is really only one thing to announce – that he is pulling out, and, possibly, endosing somebody.
Staying in wouldn’t require an announcement, just a trip to FL.
–
What are the biggest names Thompson has behind him?
January 21st, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Much hope and prayers for Fred’s mom.
Well stated #5,#6 puts things in there order of importance very quickly
January 21st, 2008 at 9:28 pm
what happens to his delegates if he pulls out? can he tell htem who to vote for? or will they just split up and vote for whoever they want?
that would be wierd since they got elected by the people who wanted them to vote for fred…
January 21st, 2008 at 9:29 pm
#12. . . “Staying in wouldn’t require an announcement, just a trip to FL.”
Didn’t Duncan Hunter screw with everyone just before NH by holding a big press conference to announce he wasn’t dropping out?
January 21st, 2008 at 9:31 pm
#14. . . Depends on the state. Some state parties allow delegates to be transferred to other candidates. Some, like Alaska where I live, redistributes them proportionately among the candidates in that state based on vote percentage. The state parties have that discretion.
January 21st, 2008 at 9:37 pm
moerderin, since this post deserving the respect and prayers, I will keep it short. The quick answer is up to each state how the dropping delegates are re-allocated.
January 21st, 2008 at 9:39 pm
#14
I think he has to release them though before anything. I think here in IL the delegates themselves an choose.
January 21st, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Someone just needs to look up the rules for IA, WY, & NV and figure out what would happen to Sen Thompson’s 8 delegates.
January 21st, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Fred has the option of suspending the campaign without officially dropping out, ala Bill Richardson. This retains to him both his current delegates (4) as well as the option to selectively compete for delegates in the future in states like TN and around the south.
This race is like a video game. Nobody ever really dies.
January 21st, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Best wishes for Fred and his mom. There is no one like a mom.
January 21st, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Sen Thompson currently has 8 delegates not 4, FWIW.
January 21st, 2008 at 10:04 pm
“Fox News is wrong in their reporting yet again, at this stage.”
Go figure.
January 21st, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Godspeed Senator and Senator’s momma! We are ALL praying for you and all of us will be here for you, and your family – no matter what – don’t worry, we aren’t paying attention to the “media”! Tell us what you need when you are ready – you know how to reach us!
January 21st, 2008 at 10:09 pm
To act-blog.co.nu:
>What are the biggest names Thompson has behind him?
Average US citizens whose names seldom make the papers.
Our prayers are with the Thompson family. When one has a parent become gravely ill, it hits hard, reguardless of the condition of the relationship. Fred will continue to have my support.
January 21st, 2008 at 10:15 pm
“Fred has the option of suspending the campaign without officially dropping out, ala Bill Richardson. This retains to him both his current delegates (4) as well as the option to selectively compete for delegates in the future in states like TN and around the south.”
Rick,
This is exactly my recommendation for Fred. This will enable him to re-emerge some where along the line.
January 21st, 2008 at 10:22 pm
It feels strange having a political discussion in a thread created to be for thoughts and prayers.
Perhaps it would be best if we created a thread to discuss the future of the Thompson campaign?
January 21st, 2008 at 10:27 pm
#26 The point is what objective do we want and when we have the greatest leverage to achieve it. When will Fred’s voice be most important to whatever end. The dilemma is that much of Fred’s supporters are at odds with his 30 year friendship with McCain. It will be a difficult bridge to cross to become the stalking horse for a demonstratably non-conservative opponent.
BTW, there are lots of ways to “run” toward the success of conservative principles.
January 21st, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers, we look forward to seeing her health improve and see you at the Debate setting the record straight! That is our Fred! We love you and will be standing by waiting to continue the support this campaign so dearly deserves. Mothers come first! God Bless the Thompson Family!
January 21st, 2008 at 10:44 pm
rick,
First of all, I don’t want to get to much into the weeds of political strategizing on such a sensitive thread per act-blog’s understandable suggestion, and I am glad to see this post updated with some encouraging news about Mrs. Thompson’s recovery, but…
If we accept for a minute that Senator Thompson is the current ‘anchor’ of the conservative movement in America; and if we assume for a moment that Goldwater was the ‘proto’ Reagan and Reagan the ‘proto’ Thompson then whom do we have waiting in the wings to be the vessel of the movement? Failing a Thompson ascendancy in 08 and failing a GOP Presidency next year, is there a figure that you could forsee accepting the mantle of Fred and in essence bringing the true conservative movement out of the wilderness so to speak. And what strategy do you envision for ensuring that the GOP maintain the governing philosophy of Goldwater, Reagan, and Thompson?
January 21st, 2008 at 10:51 pm
John Edwards could take a lesson from Fred Thompson. Family comes first. Why John would want to spend the last years of his wife’s life on an utterly useless and cynical manipulative populist campaign is unfathomable.
January 21st, 2008 at 11:03 pm
We Report, We Decide!
I hope Mr. Thompsons mother makes a full and speedy recovery.
January 21st, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Can we confirm that he is not dropping out?
January 21st, 2008 at 11:23 pm
I’ve never met Fred Thompson, or his mother. While I don’t wish ill on either one of them, I won’t be thinking or praying for either one of them this evening.
This doesn’t really make me realize “what’s really important”, either. Deciding who will be the next leader of the free world is a pretty important thing, IMO.
January 21st, 2008 at 11:49 pm
My prayers have been going to Senator Thompson for some time now, but recently I’ve added his mother to my prayers. Thank you, Fred Thompson, and no matter what you decide to do, you will remain in my prayers– although those prayers include asking God to convict your heart to STAY IN THIS RACE! Oh, and Wild Onion, you are a disgusting individual…. must be a Huckabee supporter.
January 21st, 2008 at 11:53 pm
34–stay classy.
January 21st, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Family and country are utmost in this man’s mind. What kind of President would Americans want that would not be with him only parent at a most life threatening time in her life. Pneumonia for someone 90ish is extremely serious. This could happen to any one of the candidates. McCain’s Mom is 95…my Mom lived healthy until 95 and was gone in 3 month after taking seriously ill.
As a note to Wild Onion….Thank God I don’t know anyone like you and I will pray for your family.
It certainly sounds like they are going to need it someday. God Bless Fred Thompson and his family.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:55 am
My prayers are with Fred and his family.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:03 am
Fred and his family will be in my family’s prayers. I hope that all goes well there.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:13 am
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:14 am
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:20 am
I would like to extend best wishes to Fred, his mom and his family, during this extraordinarily trying situation…
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:07 am
[...] tonight comes news that his mother is quite ill and wonder of wonders, he is NOT skipping the debate, yet: Fred’s mother is ill and her condition has deteriorated today. I ask that everyone and the [...]
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:40 am
Just drop out Fred.
Didn’t realise you had such a high opinion of yourself.
That your mother is sick (not unexpected at 90) is even more reason to.
January 22nd, 2008 at 7:42 am
Take the time you need Fred. Family first.
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:36 am
Well it makes a lot of sense for Fred to suspend his campaign right now…not drop out. It allows him to retain his delegates which allows him to be nominated at the convention and address the delegates and the nation. His name will remain on the ballot in all of the upcomming states, including NY and CA, which allows us to express our love for him. Fred would make an excellent VP for any of the other Presidential candidates…particularly Romney or McCain because he is a conservative touchstone. Jay Sevrin, born James “Thompson” Severino, on this morning’s (Tuesday 01/22/2008) Imus In The Morning (WABCRadio.com) in which he said that McCain (aka McGrin) is through and the Romney will be the Republican Party’s nominee. His opinion based on McGrin getting payback for his maverick stances in the Senate. McGrin is the lovely of the LNM (Liberal News Media) and nothing else, and that isn’t going to cut it in the closed, Republican only, states. Mitt should team up with Thompson right now as Severin says he is the eventual winner of the Republican primaries, hell he’s got the money to purchase the TV time needed for Super Tuesday and with Hunter Thompson out of the race he stands a decent chance of winning all of California’s nearly 200 delegates. Even if McGrin wins in NY which I don’t think he will. Fred would actually be smart to lie low and make an agreement with Thompson and/or McCain for the VP. Whoever wins we win. Look how powerful Chenney has made the Vice Presidency under Bush. Fred would be another Chenney, but with a strong heart and a personality like Hans Solo instead of Darth Vader like Chenney. Although I now have a different view of Lord Vader since episodes 1 – 3 have now appeared. Vader is just a guy who got ground down by the system and responded. We all know what that’s like. Oh well Severin said his response to the I man’s question about who would win against Hillary, that McCain would loose (yeah especially when the Clinton’s swift boat him with all the guys who spent time with him in the Hanoi Hilton and also when their North Vietnamese Army friends release the tapes of McCain spilling his guts to them…and you better believe that those tapes exist…the NVA and the KGB did extensive filming of the interogation of American POWs in Vietnam. Doris Kearns Goodman visited Vietnam recently, and you know her relationship with the Clintons also remember that Bill and Hillary both were involved with the radical anti-war movement and that Bubba and his Mommie spent Christmas 1969 in Moscow while John McCain was hanging by his testicles in Hanoi. Severin, whose from Boston and therefore suspect of previous if not current Romney influence, says that the Mittster would win over Hillary. I’m not too sure as I remember that he couldn’t respond to the Huckster’s barbs in the last Republican debate. How is going to handle the Dragon Lady who was a pit viper with Barry Obama in last nights Democrat debate on Fox (Faux) News. Say when is the press going to jump on the Breck girl, John Edwards, to drop out of the Democrat Primary. Also why don’t they go bother Mike Gravel and Denis Kucinich?
Ofcourse we know why, they’re liberals and Fred Thompson is a conservative.
Finally, children remember that Bill and Hillary both went out to visit Ronald Reagan at the ranch in 1992 right after they had won the Presidency to seek his advice about the job. He gave them both some jelly beans. Where is the video tape from that encounter???
STAND STRONG…STAND TALL.
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:59 am
[...] Anything blog supports this saying that Thompson has pulled out of a debate tonight in Florida but Tommy Oliver says that no such thing has [...]
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:39 am
[...] my mistake since I was just reading news reports, but it seems the real reason Fred went silent is because his mother is ill. My prayers to Fred and his mother and I hope to see him back in the hunt here soon. H/T reader [...]
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:24 am
Normally candidates wait until later to choose a VP. What if Fred defied conventional approaches and named Duncan Hunter as VP now?
It would breathe new life into the campaign.
Campaigning is too much of a job for one man – but together, they could do it. Hunter’s military credentials and beliefs are a perfect match for Fred.
It would be a daring move, and one that would garner endless press coverage.
And, what is the harm? There is little downside for either, and the potential of still getting a real conservative in the race. We have nothing to lose and the Presidency to gain.
Please run this idea around and see if it works for you folks. If you like it, please take the time to pass it on.
Thanks.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:54 am
FRED THOMPSON is the best person to lead this country. He is a true conservative and has been his entire life. All one has to do is check his record to see this.
During my time in the Army as an Intelligence Analyst, I personally served under both Presidents Carter and Reagan. Without argument, President Reagan was the best commander-in-chief a military person could ever have served under. Fred Thompson possesses the same qualities and vision as President Reagan in that he is strong on national defense and sees a dire need to secure our borders and control immigration.
I can think of no better person to lead this country and fix the problems we have. He is the only candidate from either party who has specific and detailed plans on border security and immigration reform; revitalization of America’s armed forces; saving and protecting Social Security; and tax relief and economic growth. These are detailed on his Web site at http://www.fred08.com . I challenge you to find any other candidate who has laid out specific plans to fix anything.
Fred Thompson has published his first principles, some of which are mentioned above. In addition to those, he strongly believes in individual liberty, personal responsibility, limited government, federalism, traditional American values, the rule of law and is a strong proponent of the Second Amendment — all concepts established during the birth of our country and documented in our Constitution.
Again, try to find any candidate who has laid out their plans to “fix†this country. You will find they all speak in vague and abstract terms on their plans.
For those who have heard Fred Thompson speak, you will usually hear him say that the Fred Thompson you see today is the same Fred Thompson you saw yesterday and is the same Fred Thompson you will see tomorrow. He stands by his principles and values and doesn’t shift his positions based on polls or public opinion; in other words, he doesn’t say what the voters want to hear just to get elected, but remains steadfast on his views and convictions.
During his time in the Senate he focused on three areas: to lower taxes, strengthen national security and expose waste in the federal government. Fred Thompson has foreign policy experience, having served as member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Senate Intelligence committees.
As chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, he opened the investigation in 1997 on the Chinese government’s attempt to influence American policies and elections, and this investigation identified connections with the Clinton administration (documented in the committee’s report).
As a member of the Finance Committee, he worked tirelessly to enact three major tax-cut bills. Fred Thompson remains steadfast and even though a person may not agree with all his views and he understands some may disagree with him, you can count on him to be consistent and unwavering.
Don’t be fooled by his laid back approach and what critics call his “laziness.†As a former assistant U.S. attorney, he earned a reputation as a tough prosecutor and he possesses the toughness this country needs in order to tackle today’s and tomorrow’s issues.
I ask that you take a hard look at what this country needs, then take a hard look at all the other candidates’ views, policies, their records and their track record on consistency. Fred Thompson possesses integrity, loyalty, commitment, energy and decisiveness, all traits of an effective leader, and will emerge as the best person to take this country boldly forward. Fred is still in this race to win!
Please help Fred win in Florida:
https://www.fred08.com/contribute.aspx?RefererID=c637caaa-315c-4b4c-9967-08d864cd0791
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Just heard the news that Fred is withdrawing. I am devastated and feel like I have lost my best friend.