January 6, 2008
Posted: 02:31 PM ET
Thompson is counting on a win is South Carolina
Thompson is counting on a win is South Carolina

(CNN) — Republican Fred Thompson defended his campaign strategy of conceding early voting contests to focus on southern states in a CNN Late Edition interview Sunday — but conceded the plan hinged on a fundraising boost to his cash-poor campaign.

“If we can raise the money sufficient to hold our own on television…we will win South Carolina and we will be in good shape,” Thompson told Wolf Blitzer. His campaign has struggled to stay competitive on the airwaves in recent weeks, and briefly went dark in Iowa in the days leading up to the state’s January 3 caucuses.

The former Tennessee senator is statistically tied for third, along with Arizona Sen. John McCain and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani in most recent surveys of South Carolina GOP primary voters. Iowa winner and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is leading most polls, followed by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

South Carolina is turning into a must-win for Thompson, who finished third in Iowa and is running last in New Hampshire. Last week, he was forced to deny reports he was planning to drop out of the race and support John McCain if he fared poorly in Hawkeye State voting.

”Everybody said that Rudy was inevitable, then Mitt was inevitable, now they are on to McCain, you know, everybody I would come in fourth in Iowa,” Thompson said Sunday. “I didn't, I came in third. So steadily…we are getting to be exactly where we wanted to be at this point.”

South Carolina's Republicans head to the polls January 19.

–CNN’s Jessica Rummel and Rebecca Sinderbrand

Filed under: Fred Thompson • South Carolina


William Pruett   January 12th, 2008 7:31 am ET

Despite the constant stream of negative spin that pours out of CNN on a daily basis, Fred Thompson's campaign is still alive and well and supporting his South Carolina debate win that has not been reported here. Fred Thompson is a great man, and I am proud to say I will cast my vote for him. I have never donated to a campaign before, till now. Fred is a shining ray of hope in this sewer that our
political system has become. He is also the only honest politician on either side in this political contest. The more CNN (Clinton News Network) throws off on his campaign, the faster the little red truck gas tank fills up, and for that I thank you. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink, especially if the water is poluted. Drawing Flack, Fred must be over the target!! Swing away.
God Bless Fred!

Sue   January 10th, 2008 6:44 pm ET

Gane, Toronto< Canada = Don't believe you have ever used spellcheck! Hang in there Fred, this girl in Maryland is voting for you. "Bay" the way Gane, our elections affect you more than you realize!

NEWS ALERT NEWS ALERT   January 8th, 2008 6:48 pm ET

i'm on the train with Senator Barack Obama, waving to you all.

NEWS ALERT NEWS ALERT   January 8th, 2008 6:47 pm ET

Gane we know that you are a woman

Tim, Minnesota   January 7th, 2008 7:42 pm ET

I think Fred will endorse Ron Paul when he gets knocked out this week

ChasmGM   January 7th, 2008 2:49 pm ET

C'mon folks. There is only one canidiate that says-it-like-it-is and has any typeof plan to improve things in the good 'ole usa – that candidate is Fred Thompson. His straight forward, no bs personality is what america needs. We need someone with "real" character to represent us. Not someone who will say anything to get elected. This man is the only candidate that will tell us the truth. He is not be a candidate that will say whatever will get him elected. This guy wouldn't even be running for president if it weren't for his country needing him. We need Fred to be our president.

Shain   January 7th, 2008 1:48 pm ET

Mike Huchabee will fall apart on Feb. 5th. John McCain will fall apart after South Carolina. Rudy will never get the nomination, no chance, he isnt a Republican, and Mitt Romney has proved he will say anything to get elected..just depends on what state he goes to. But he does have the money..that is a plus…leaving Fred Thompson…if he can win South Carolina come Feb. 5 he wins at least half the contests….he is the only real common man in the race. He has worked his way up through his entire life and had some doors opened up when he got there. He his the most practical for the nomination…dont count him out! The media doesnt like him because he doesn't play by their rules but if he can win South Carolina it is his. I have been around during enough elections to know people!

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ   January 7th, 2008 11:45 am ET

Not being in a state that has had a primary or caucus yet, I can only see what the news says. I can't bring myself to believe that Thompson is a conservative. Well, okay he is enough of because someone thinks he is anti-abortion. I don't see him as moving enough to get going. If he had been polling well in the national polls like Giuliani, then my position would be differnt. There was so much build up to his entering the race, that when it happened with so little huplah, I am sure that most people just said, "Oh, what happened? Who is running?"

beastofbourbon   January 7th, 2008 10:00 am ET

" full of sound and fury , signifying nothing "………..Fred will be only a footnote in the history of this campaign…………..he is a dog barking at a passing automobile……I question the judgment of anyone who would support such a man for President , indeed I question the judgment of anyone who fears / thinks he has a chance to win…………………….

David   January 7th, 2008 9:53 am ET

I wish people would stop being so narrow minded when it comes to Fred Thompson. Just because he has appeared in movies and TV doesn't mean he isn't an extremely intelligent man. Fred has been an attorney his whole life and as a result, got roles on TV and in film based on his background. He was the senator for Tennessee for 8 years.

Just listen to him speak and you'll understand that he's a no non-sense type of guy who has a very realistic outlook and knows what it takes to turn this country around.

People need to stop assuming they know these candidates. Read up on them, watch them, study them…etc. Prime example is Barack Obama, yeah he looks likeable and has charisma..etc, but he knows very little when it comes to politics. He is no where ready to lead this country.

Sidney madsen   January 7th, 2008 3:41 am ET

Wow america is in worse shape than I thought. I take it from the comment at the top of this blog you are looking for a stupid drinking smoking liar who has been married 2 or 3 times or at least cheated on his wife whose ugly so he can identify with America. Call me crazy but I'm still looking for some one to lead this country who just might raise the bar. Since when is being smart honest wealthy sucessful and heck even good looking such a bad thing? I for one relate to it just fine. Oh yea and I guess we need to throw their religion out too, how about some one fat of mixed race whose just out of rehap been on welfare their whole life and then they can really relate to the world. What exactly is that going to get you….a warm fuzzy feeling all over because you've finally been understood.

ishok   January 7th, 2008 3:00 am ET

Fred Thompson can't win. The knock on him is that he is EXTREMELY LAZY .
If that's not bad enough he is known here in Washington DC as a legendary WOMANIZER. Give this man 4 years in the White House and we'll be praying for a BUSH return.

Lame McCain   January 7th, 2008 2:03 am ET

McCain is Lame because he has no brain.

His lame smart ass comments suck.

He is getting almost as irritating as Hillary.

Gane   January 7th, 2008 1:37 am ET

-GO GIRL, GO!!!!

Dear Mrs Clinton,

I do relate to you very much. I am a mechanical engineer who works with 99.9% guys.

Oh boy, they can be sooo mean!

Please, do not aloud them to intimidate you! You are very , very smart woman.

I am Canadian. We are nor directly affected from american choice of President, but we care.

I was watching the debate and judging on the merit. You girl, was on the TOP- well informed , articulate, on the point, charming…but I have some suggestions: (I wish I ware in your team)

- Please pay attention that Mr.Obama very carefully listen what you are saying , make marks and then use the information paraphrased and presenting it "very knowledgably" (Plagiarism). Please , thy to talk after him.

Bay the way, I really steak my ears out to hear something substantial from him; goes around, around… entertainer.

- At the debate several time Obama kind of "bay the way" has mentioned the time presided G.Bush???!! Halloo? PLease , do not aloud him to do that. Only once you effectively reacted. May be you want to reconsider your position , there is nothing wrong to defend Clinton's era. Do not mess any opportunity.

- Tell people : yes you are tough but the job is more than tough. Every day!

- The only remark that I have from the debate evening was: you should be the last with your closing wards. It was Obama repeating your statement make it sound like his.

- If you have a time and see the tape of that debate you will see a lot. Obama- black,white or pinkish is just ENTERTAINER .

P.S. Every time spellchecking Obama there is suggestion to be change to Osama!!??

Gane, Toronto< Canada

asher   January 6th, 2008 10:53 pm ET

Thompson's problem is that his canidacy is extremely unorthodox. You can say he had 50 events in 17 days. The problem is that in the prior 50 days, he only had 17 events. Huckabee out hustled Thompson in Iowa. He may be able to pull out the upset in SC, but he needs to be down there until the primary and seriously working the state.

One thing he may have in his favor is that most of the spotlight for the next 1 week will either be on McCain or Romney. If McCain, Huckabee will try and put some time and resources into Michigan. That may give Thompson a little a bit of an opportunity.

For all you Fred heads, you better donate and donate quickly. If the cash doesn't come in soon, he will be gone before the first SC vote is cast. Time is running out for Fred.

Patty D.   January 6th, 2008 10:14 pm ET

Well Ryan I call them as I see em! Thompson ducking out of Iowa hurt him and his chances. And I am definitely not a moron. The fact that your post is full of invective speaks volumes about you.

Andrew Marfink   January 6th, 2008 9:38 pm ET

FRED THOMPSON
F-for
R-real
E-enduring
D-dependency

T-the
H-honest
O-outgoing
M-most
P-presidential
S-senator
O-of our
N-nation

Ed,Ellenville,New York   January 6th, 2008 8:55 pm ET

Thompson doesn't have enough brains to understand inflation. We already went through seven years of another idiot war criminal turning our dollar into dirt. If he were president,nine out of ten republicans would be riding horses to work. Hey,maybe that's a good thing. Teach you all a lesson.

Ryan   January 6th, 2008 8:54 pm ET

Anyone who says that Fred's heart is not in the race, or that he lacks the "fire in the belly" necessary to run for the presidency, is an absolute moron. Thompson had over 50 campaign stops during the remaining three weeks leading up to the Iowa caucus. I don't know if its just me, but attending 3 or more campaign stops a day for three weeks suggests sufficient fire in the belly. For whatever reason – maybe because he didn't fly into Iowa on a winged unicorn after declaring his candidacy – Thompson has not been given a fair shake by anyone in the mainstream media. He's been consistently crapped on, and called lazy by everyone – including those evil conservative analysts over at the Fox News Network. In the last week alone, those retards over at the Politico came out with another hit piece on Thompson in which they claimed he would resign following a poor showing in Iowa. Thompson is still in the race, he will remain in the race, and when people finally see Huckabee and McCain for the rino's that they are, I have no doubt that Thompson (who has been the only candidate to consistently put substance over form) will become a force to be reckoned with in the primaries. Thank you and good night.

Mike Bregan   January 6th, 2008 8:40 pm ET

THis guy is another "actor" and a muti millionare, we don't need another ACTOR in the white house period! ALL these YO-YO'S talk about Health Care saying that middle class-poor- have to "buy in to it" while these people GET FREE HEALH CARE. They never say if anyone is out of work [but they all claim the everyone is working] MITT- McCain-RON PUAL[ who said that he is going to have to cut off 'intidulements'] LET HIM AND ALL OF THE OTHERS CUT OFF THEIR INTIDULEMENTS! also there is no such thing as an "REPUBLICAN-DEMACRAT-{LIBERTARIAN} DON'T INSULT MY PARTY, I'M A REGISTERED "LIBERTARIAN" STUPID'S.

Madmax   January 6th, 2008 8:08 pm ET

How shallow a person (CJ) that they only think know something from a TV show, let's hope people like that are not what will decide this Presidential election, as unfortunately, people like them, with obviously little education, are the ones whom head the mushroom cloud would land over first.

Fred Thompson is the only true conservative in this race and one who has the only stated vision for social security, Military, Economy, and Illegals and yes Health Care.

No One else has a vision only Yesterday's News………………..

FAIR TAX,LA.   January 6th, 2008 8:03 pm ET

CJ SHAME ON YOU!!
HE WOULD LEAD AMERICA BETTER THEN THE DUMMYCRATS!!
NO SOCIAL MEDS HILLARY and OBAMA!!
NO BIG GOVERMENT IN OUR LIVES!!
WORK FOR WHAT YOU WANT NO 'FREEBE'S
AMERICA BECOMING WEAK BECAUSE PARENTS DO NOT TEACH MORAL VALUES AND STAND STRONG!!

stlpatriot   January 6th, 2008 7:17 pm ET

yeah, Fred seems to scare people with his federalist attitude and common sense, i can understand why you wouldnt want to watch it CJ…

GO FRED!!!

Julia   January 6th, 2008 7:14 pm ET

Well, if Fred doesn't get his head out of his butt and actually DO SOMETHING, he is history!

RobTN   January 6th, 2008 7:09 pm ET

CJ,
I understand you are trying to show some clever wit, but what kind of comment is that. Fred has won most of the debates. His southern drawl hurts him in the north. When he speaks, he's intellectually superior than all of the other Republican candidates on the issues and conservative policy.

EB Rideout, Georgia   January 6th, 2008 7:04 pm ET

Why not wait until Nov. 3rd, Fred? The day before the election should be soon enough, and think of all the money you'll save.

Patty D.   January 6th, 2008 6:53 pm ET

Thompson made a big mistake foregoing Iowa. His campaign has been lackluster from the start. Add the fact that he doesn't seem to have his heart in it have spelled doom for his campaign.

schmaryahoo pizzakovsky   January 6th, 2008 6:37 pm ET

Mitt Romney is a practising Mormon who grew up in a priviledged family and has been married to the same woman for (help me here, 35 – 40 years). And he is exceptionally smart, having graduated from the Harvard joint JD-MBA program . Neither he, nor any of his five healthy looking sons have ever been on active military service. As such one can assume that:

he's never had a hangover
he's never been drunk
he's never sat on a plane going through nicotine withdrawl
he's never been hungry (other than by choice)
he's never snuck into the house at 2 am with the smell of cigarettes, whisky, or cheap perfume
he's never had to worry about making a mortgage payment
he's never had to lie on a job application and then worry about gettong caught
he's never had a personal stake in the progress or outcome of a war
he's never (fill in your choice)
he's never (fill in your choice)
he's never (fill in your choice)
he's never (fill in your choice)
and you wonder why voters don't identify with him; at least Dubya got the rehab vote.

CJ   January 6th, 2008 6:19 pm ET

Fred Thompson should have remained on Law and Order. I used to like watching the show, but now, after watching the debates, I find it extremely difficult to even like the show.

Pete   January 6th, 2008 6:18 pm ET

Go Obama! Never thought I would be this excited about politics!

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