Former US Senator Fred Thompson has withdrawn from the Republican presidential race, after a string of poor finishes in early voting rounds.
"I have withdrawn my candidacy... I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort," he said in a short statement.
It follows his third place result in Saturday's South Carolina primary - a state he had said he needed to win.
Mr Thompson did not say whether he would endorse any of his former rivals.
He ended his statement by saying that he and his wife, Jeri, would "always be grateful for the encouragement and friendship of so many wonderful people".
The actor-politician entered the race in September, months after his rivals had started campaigning.
The BBC's Vincent Dowd says the former star of the Law and Order TV series will have thought hard about whether the next Republican primary in Florida at the end of this month offered any hope of a revival - clearly he decided it did not.
Even with Mr Thompson's departure the Republican race remains wide open, with three candidates each having won in the six states that have voted, our correspondent says
Bah.
First Richardson on the Democratic side, and now this from the Republicans.
I guess it's going to be yet another 'who do I hate least' round of elections for me.
"You say that it is your custom to burn widows. Very well. We also have a custom: when men burn a woman alive, we tie a rope around their necks and we hang them. Build your funeral pyre; beside it, my carpenters will build a gallows. You may follow your custom. And then we will follow ours."- General Sir Charles Napier
CaptainChewbacca wrote:Word is that Fred may make a return as VP for McCain or Romney to add 'conservative cred' to the ticket.
I don't like Romney at all, but Fred as VP and running against Clinton would probably allow me to hold my nose and hit the 'R' on the touchscreen.
McCain? no way in fucking Hell am I voting for him.
Not even if Zombie Reagan were his VP choice.
"You say that it is your custom to burn widows. Very well. We also have a custom: when men burn a woman alive, we tie a rope around their necks and we hang them. Build your funeral pyre; beside it, my carpenters will build a gallows. You may follow your custom. And then we will follow ours."- General Sir Charles Napier
Glocksman wrote:McCain? no way in fucking Hell am I voting for him.
Not even if Zombie Reagan were his VP choice.
As a liberal independent, I have to say that McCain is the only Republican I like. I think his position on the war is downright bad, and it will probably cost him the race, but, for the most part, I think most of his positions are on target.
That being said, I don't think I would ever vote for him either, so why would you choose another Republican over him? I'm just asking out of sincere curiosity...
It originally had to do with his lack of character in the 'Keating Five' case.
Subsequent things he's championed like the anti free speech 'no ads x days before an election' part of McCain-Feingold, and his involvement in pushing the late, unlamented immigration 'reform' that died last year have only sealed the deal for me.
As a liberal independent,
I'm a small 'c' conservative with some small 'l' positions (notably on national health care reform), so what makes him attractive to you would probably make him unattractive to me.
"You say that it is your custom to burn widows. Very well. We also have a custom: when men burn a woman alive, we tie a rope around their necks and we hang them. Build your funeral pyre; beside it, my carpenters will build a gallows. You may follow your custom. And then we will follow ours."- General Sir Charles Napier
Glocksman wrote:McCain? no way in fucking Hell am I voting for him.
Not even if Zombie Reagan were his VP choice.
As a liberal independent, I have to say that McCain is the only Republican I like. I think his position on the war is downright bad, and it will probably cost him the race, but, for the most part, I think most of his positions are on target.
That being said, I don't think I would ever vote for him either, so why would you choose another Republican over him? I'm just asking out of sincere curiosity...
Other than being the popular choice of anti-establishment Republicans and independents, what positions of his do you actually believe are right on target?
In Brazil they say that Pele was the best, but Garrincha was better
SancheztheWhaler wrote:Other than being the popular choice of anti-establishment Republicans and independents, what positions of his do you actually believe are right on target?
He's declared global warming as being a real problem which needs to be dealt with (he opposed arctic drilling), he's staunchly against torture and wants to shut down Guantanamo, he's pro stem cell research, and he wants severe cut backs on government spending. He's opposed Bush on many of his key issues, but I guess that's not saying much these days since the majority of Republicans now oppose most of Bush's policies.
That being said, I wouldn't vote for McCain. So far, I just think he's better than the other Republicans he's up against.
As said before, and as I'll keep bringing up for McCain...
McCain's torture position is PURE BULLSHIT I don't care how loudly his claims are in public, he put his name on the Military Commissions Act of 2006. The act that allowed the Executive branch the authority to use "Enhanced Interrogation Techniques".
If you are voting for McCain for his torture position you are either in ignorantness or in willful denial. McCCain is one of the prime reasons a bill was passed that provided justification for torture, allowed tortured and removed one of our most fundamental legal rights.
I'd throw around words like "traitor to the uniform", but those phrases can't be used in American discourse as using them labels you a nut job, even if the allegation is true, we simply don't use language that strong... unless your a neo-conservative in power, in which case you can get away with it. So I used a less strong word. For helping write, and voting for the Military Commissions Act of 2006, John McCain has forever betrayed the military he served in.
"A cult is a religion with no political power." -Tom Wolfe Pardon me for sounding like a dick, but I'm playing the tiniest violin in the world right now-Dalton
A vote for any Republican means just another four years of Bushism-Lite —at best.
When ballots have fairly and constitutionally decided, there can be no successful appeal back to bullets.
—Abraham Lincoln
People pray so that God won't crush them like bugs.
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Oil an emergency?! It's about time, Brigadier, that the leaders of this planet of yours realised that to remain dependent upon a mineral slime simply doesn't make sense.
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Well, he finally quit. I'm surprised that he didn't do so on January 19, and waited three days to do it. His campaign has been flagging since late last year, when he turned out not to be Ronald Reagan Mark II.
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SancheztheWhaler wrote:Other than being the popular choice of anti-establishment Republicans and independents, what positions of his do you actually believe are right on target?
He's declared global warming as being a real problem which needs to be dealt with (he opposed arctic drilling), he's staunchly against torture and wants to shut down Guantanamo, he's pro stem cell research, and he wants severe cut backs on government spending. He's opposed Bush on many of his key issues, but I guess that's not saying much these days since the majority of Republicans now oppose most of Bush's policies.
That being said, I wouldn't vote for McCain. So far, I just think he's better than the other Republicans he's up against.
And you're okay with his social conservatism? He's pro life after all, and if elected president would appoint justices that would tip the scales against Roe v. Wade.
In Brazil they say that Pele was the best, but Garrincha was better
I totally don't get John McCain. Conservatives hate him and independent/libertarians and even some liberals like him. The media treats him as a "moderate", a "maverick" and parrots his "straight-talker" persona. Why? He has an extremely conservative voting record (17th most reactionary in the Senate) and has misrepresented himself/blatantly lied about the issues as a point of his political career. He has relied on the media sheep to save his career in the past (the Keating Five scandal) and still uses them to spread this false identity of John McCain as a moderate. He is, if anything, a neo-conservative just like Bush.
Patrick Degan wrote:A vote for any Republican means just another four years of Bushism-Lite —at best.
...as is a vote for Clinton. Seriously, what the fuck is this? One of the least-liked presidents in American history, and almost ALL of the options are either more of the same, or worse?
Well we do have three good options. Or at least three semi-good options.
1. There's Barrack Obama, say what you will about him being as bad as Hillary, at least he is anti-war and is on the record as such rather than Hillary "I regret nothing" Clinton.
2. There's John Edwards, more of a Libral than any previous democract in some time. Is also anti-war but possibly even more in bed with specific special interests than anyone but Huckabee(Religious interests)
3. The Long Shot, Dr Ron Paul. The MOST anti-war of them all, but has has crazy policies, but unlike other Republicans, they are SO crazy as to make Dr Ron Paul a lame-duck President to begin with.
On many social issues, Dr Ron Paul can almost claim a liberal stance, it's on ecnomic issues and world relations where he goes from liberal to nutty. He's a firm believer in the "invisible hand of the free market" that will fix everything.
This Dr.Ron Paul presents us with a problem, if elected and he gets 100% of what he wants he could be the worst long term President in American history. If he get 80% of what he wants, America is in for some rough years. But if he only gets 50% of he wants he could be a very good President.
The question is WHICH 50% of course, if it's the social issues, everything is fine, if it's government reform? Might be a few bad issues but over-all good.
Ron Paul is the odd duck, as he has such good, and such horrible.. HORRIBLE policies at the same time.
"A cult is a religion with no political power." -Tom Wolfe Pardon me for sounding like a dick, but I'm playing the tiniest violin in the world right now-Dalton
What's so great about Ron Paul other than the fact he does not like deficit spending and our aggressive foreign policy?
"You know what the problem with Hollywood is. They make shit. Unbelievable. Unremarkable. Shit." - Gabriel Shear, Swordfish
"This statement, in its utterly clueless hubristic stupidity, cannot be improved upon. I merely quote it in admiration of its perfection." - Garibaldi in reply to an incredibly stupid post.
The Fifth Illuminatus Primus | Warsie | Skeptical Empiricist | Florida Gator | Sustainability Advocate | LibertarianSocialist |
Patrick Degan wrote:A vote for any Republican means just another four years of Bushism-Lite —at best.
...as is a vote for Clinton. Seriously, what the fuck is this? One of the least-liked presidents in American history, and almost ALL of the options are either more of the same, or worse?
Bullshit. At least extreme religious bullshit, scaling back women's reproductive rights, UPPING the crusading angle in the War on Terror, gross economic mismanagement, tax cuts for the ultra-rich, and more of the same health care are not her platforms.
I am fucking sick of Republitard bullshit on Hillary. Like Guiliani, McCain, or even Paul is close to Hillary in progressiveness.
"You know what the problem with Hollywood is. They make shit. Unbelievable. Unremarkable. Shit." - Gabriel Shear, Swordfish
"This statement, in its utterly clueless hubristic stupidity, cannot be improved upon. I merely quote it in admiration of its perfection." - Garibaldi in reply to an incredibly stupid post.
The Fifth Illuminatus Primus | Warsie | Skeptical Empiricist | Florida Gator | Sustainability Advocate | LibertarianSocialist |
Illuminatus Primus wrote:What's so great about Ron Paul other than the fact he does not like deficit spending and our aggressive foreign policy?
Can you think of anything positive about the OTHER Republicans?
Yes that's right, he's the only one with good qualities, the race is that sad.
(FYI He also supports Publicly funded campaigns according to interviews)
"A cult is a religion with no political power." -Tom Wolfe Pardon me for sounding like a dick, but I'm playing the tiniest violin in the world right now-Dalton
Patrick Degan wrote:A vote for any Republican means just another four years of Bushism-Lite —at best.
I think only McCaini qualifies as that, really. Ron Paul is something else entirely, albeit still a conservative. The other three front runners are like different parts of Bush having become independent entities and grown larger than life. That is to say, the three of them are worse than Bush in one respect or another.
Don't forget that John Edwards is also for raising the taxes on the rich and businesses.
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Me: Nope, that's why I have you around to tell me.
Nitram: You -are- beautiful. Anyone tries to tell you otherwise kill them.
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LadyTevar wrote:Don't forget that John Edwards is also for raising the taxes on the rich and businesses.
He also seems to be the only one with the guts saying that the system is broken and needs changes. He's also the only one I catch saying that lobbyists need to go. If that is all bullshit then I commend him for putting him that much of a front. Might not be realistic but maybe at least things could start to change if he's somewhat serious on delivering. Everyone else doesn't stand out, either typical politician type D or type R.
"Somehow I feel, that in the long run, Thanos of Titan came out ahead in this particular deal."
The Original Nex wrote:I totally don't get John McCain. Conservatives hate him and independent/libertarians and even some liberals like him. The media treats him as a "moderate", a "maverick" and parrots his "straight-talker" persona. Why? He has an extremely conservative voting record (17th most reactionary in the Senate) and has misrepresented himself/blatantly lied about the issues as a point of his political career. He has relied on the media sheep to save his career in the past (the Keating Five scandal) and still uses them to spread this false identity of John McCain as a moderate. He is, if anything, a neo-conservative just like Bush.
Yes, but he's a war hero. That's why everyone is inclined to like him. Your country worships the military, and he's a throwback to the past, when one needed military experience to be a credible leader.
"It's not evil for God to do it. Or for someone to do it at God's command."- Jonathan Boyd on baby-killing
"you guys are fascinated with the use of those "rules of logic" to the extent that you don't really want to discussus anything."- GC
"I do not believe Russian Roulette is a stupid act" - Embracer of Darkness
"Viagra commercials appear to save lives" - tharkûn on US health care.
The Original Nex wrote:I totally don't get John McCain. Conservatives hate him and independent/libertarians and even some liberals like him. The media treats him as a "moderate", a "maverick" and parrots his "straight-talker" persona. Why? He has an extremely conservative voting record (17th most reactionary in the Senate) and has misrepresented himself/blatantly lied about the issues as a point of his political career. He has relied on the media sheep to save his career in the past (the Keating Five scandal) and still uses them to spread this false identity of John McCain as a moderate. He is, if anything, a neo-conservative just like Bush.
Yes, but he's a war hero. That's why everyone is inclined to like him. Your country worships the military, and he's a throwback to the past, when one needed military experience to be a credible leader.
That's just it though; the Right, which tends to suck the cock of the military far more than centrists or progressives, are the ones demonizing McCain. He seems like a perfect Republican candidate, and yet, Republicans hate him.
The Original Nex wrote:
That's just it though; the Right, which tends to suck the cock of the military far more than centrists or progressives, are the ones demonizing McCain. He seems like a perfect Republican candidate, and yet, Republicans hate him.
It's not just that, alot of us in the military respect him for what he did, but don't trust him enough to vote for him. There are even some folks over here who are down to Earth hard nosed right wingers who are saying they won't vote for him for various issues.
The worst thing both sides have for them right now, is probably the misinformation ie: about Obama emails going around out there. My copilot got an email from home talking about how he is Muslim and a taliban operative, etc... the said thing is that people believe this crap and don't listen to reason when you explain that they are stupid.
I'll have to agree with whoever said it earlier, that come November, it's going to be the less of two (or three) evils that you see.
Sum Senatus
And thus, the Padawan and the Master are dispatched, and it falls to the champion of the Force, Yoda to save them; whom in his near infinate power, displays little intelligence, by stopping the piller with the force instead of jerking his underlings out of the way so that his fight with Dooku can continue.....
Illuminatus Primus wrote:What's so great about Ron Paul other than the fact he does not like deficit spending and our aggressive foreign policy?
Can you think of anything positive about the OTHER Republicans?
Yes that's right, he's the only one with good qualities, the race is that sad.
(FYI He also supports Publicly funded campaigns according to interviews)
Um...he's also bugfuck insane, and most likely a bigoted shithead as well. Have you heard about the contents of the newsletter put out in his name for the last twenty-odd years or so? The one he contributes to?
