While I still think Rudy drops out of the race between Jan 29 and Feb 7, I"m starting to wonder if Huckabee doesn't drop out of the race even before Rudy.

Huckabee is looking at a very distant 3rd or 4th place finish in Florida (same as Rudy) and although he could win a few southern states on Feb 5th, he will likely run out of money very soon. And by Feb 5 it will be crystal clear he is too far behind in the delegate count to catch up to McCain or Romney.

The Republican race is quickly becoming a 2 person race. Ron Paul has enough money to go on, and could become a third party candidate, but after Feb 5th Huckabee and Rudy won't be able to raise any money, so they will have to drop out no later than Feb 7.

Slate gives their reasons why Fred never caught on.

Fred exits the Presidential race. Jan 22, 2008

I TOLD YOU SO. (explicitly and perfectly timed it on Jan 21, but also on Dec 31)

Some highlights

"Fred is a clown" Oct 4,
"Send money to Fred at your own peril, this campaign is not serious." Sept 21

and the Sept 7th, 2007 post that started it all

"watch the http://www.fred08.com/ video it is laugh out loud funny.Very clearly this is not going to be a serious candidate, that gives me some license to goof around. Fred's just trying to raise his profile so he can make some more money. Assumping Fred doesn't become President, rumor has it that Fred is the favorite to replace the $10 million dollar a year man on the radio. (Paul Harvey = 60% of their revenues, thus the big pay)
http://economicramble.blogspot.com/2007/09/fred-is-lazy-part-2.html




NEWS ALERT
from The Wall Street Journal
Jan. 22, 2008
Fred Thompson dropped out of the Republican presidential race this afternoon after a third-place finish over the weekend in South Carolina's primary and poor performances in other early caucus and primary states.

Fred's early exit from the process was obvious to me from Day 1 and now it's official. Next to exit the race is Rudy Giuliani.

So after endorsing Fred on Nov 13, who does the NLRC support now?

Well, looks like I won't have Fred around much longer to kick around. Without much doubt Fred will soon drop out of the race after his disappointing third place finish in South Carolina. South Carolina was to be his "firewall" and he barely finished third, beating Romney by only 0.6% of the vote.

I of course have never thought Fred had a chance, nor have I ever thought Fred has run a serious campaign, so his exit from the race has long been predicted. The big question now is, does Fred drop out before or after Rudy Giuliani ?

Rudy has been nonexistant in this race, normally finishing with 1/2 as many votes as Ron Paul and currently projected to finish 4th in Florida, which of course was Rudy's "firewall".

Predictions:

Fred to drop out by Jan 30th (day after Florida) or sooner
Rudy to drop out by Feb 6th (day after Super Tuesday)

Thompson contemplates dropping out of race (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Michigan results are coming in and it appears Fred might get 4% of the vote which is exactly what the polls were predicting for him. Candidate Ron Paul who is routinely snubbed on TV and sometimes not invited to debates once again thrashed Fred, getting about 6% of the vote and coming in 4th to Fred's 5th place finish. Of course the results are subject to change and Rudy with 3% of the vote might beat out Fred for the coveted 5th place finish.

It continues to amaze me that Fred is taken seriously he should not be. Not only has every other candidate raised more money than he has but a true niche candidate like Ron Paul continues to beat him soundly in every primary.

Red State update on Fred Thompson

video on Fred

"Jackie reads Dunlap the riot act for saying GOP candidate Fred Thompson came in fourth place in Iowa, when he actually came in third. If you like Fred Thompson, sausages and E.T., you’ll love this one"

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/01/12/red-state-update-apologize-to-fred-thompson/

Thompson comes in 7th in New Hampshire

Sure most news reports are playing up Fred's 6th place finish with 1% of the vote, but let's not forget the write in candidates! 4,058 write ins were collected and Fred only got 2,808 votes, so really he was 7th.

How bad was it? Dennis Kucinich who was barred from the Democratic debates got 3,845 votes. Yep that's 1,000 more votes than Fred. Ouch.

Of course in Iowa, Fred finished 4th but combining his results in Iowa and New Hampshire he is trailing notables like Ron Paul by 10,000 votes.

Next up is Michigan where Fred is polling dead last at 4% of the vote.

Thompson Campaign Fades in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa -- As a noncandidate, Fred Thompson could command the Tonight Show with Jay Leno to deliver his political message. Now, the would-be savior of the conservative coalition can barely get coverage from the Des Moines Register

Wall Street Journal
By AMY SCHATZ
January 3, 2008
Page A10

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119932738769464091.html?mod=Leader-US

WSJ picture gives you an idea of the excitement (leaning back in seat) surrounding the campaign and gives a good insight into the kinds of numbers (2) who come out to hear him talk.