Posted by
T Schneider on Friday, January 11, 2008 3:25:25 PM
Fred Oviously scored big last night in what was certainly the best debate so far. McCain looked old and sounded like he was a little out of touch and rambling (as well as very much a Senator as opposed to a chief executive.) Romney failed to hit any needed homeruns. Huckabee still smooth but the liberal tag Fred nailed to him may have stuck. Rudy did well and made a convincing argument to be on the ticket.
And Ron Paul - whatever.
South Carolinians now have a chance to rally around Fred Thompson as the conservative candidate and conservatives around the rest of the country will be sure to follow. But If SC voters feel (the way Luntz's focus group did) that it's too late then we'll have to sere if anyone can survive to take down Huck or McCain and save the party.
If SC voters decide it's too late to throw support to Fred, then what they are really saying is it's too late for them to lead (SC Republicans) or perhaps they're just too timid, intimidated, and controlled by the drive-by media to make up their own mind.
The race is still wide open, but SC is now the best last hope for getting a conservatives nominee.