Thompson and Giuliani salivate for McCain votes

Source: BLOOMBERG NEWS

Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, a champion of conservatives, and Rudy Giuliani, a favorite of political independents, may be the biggest beneficiaries if John McCain's bid for the Republican presidential nomination collapses, political experts say.

McCain's campaign is teetering after the loss last week of his chief political aides, a blow that follows closely on the heels of a disappointing fundraising report. McCain, 70, once the Republican front-runner, is vowing to fight on amid growing speculation about his viability.

If McCain is forced to abandon the race or loses more ground, Thompson and Giuliani will try to scoop up his political and financial backers.

"Those people who were attracted to McCain on the issues will go to Giuliani and those who were attracted by his perceived inevitability will probably now be attracted to Thompson," said David Keene, chairman of the American Conservative Union in Alexandria, Va.

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=10078565

It's one of those gossip items that is all over the net:

http://atheistrevolution.blogspot.com/2007/07/is-fred-thompson-gay.html
Is Fred Thompson Gay?

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2007/06/republicans-and.html
Republicans and Morality

Wonkette's Supposedly Gay Republicans Dept:
http://wonkette.com/politics/supposedly-gay-republicans-dept'/fred-thompson-rumor-watch-273843.php

The "Fred Thompson is Gay" rumors are swirling:
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2217

Gee--and he's not even a Scientologist!!! Could that be the reason he hesitates to throw his hat in the ring? Is that the reason for the hasty marriage to the chilc bride?

Could Giuliani end up getting the lion's share of the McCain votes? Or will he fall away, too...?

I guess Fred figured that if an unrepentant cross-dressing horndog could be the frontrunner, why not a gay (or bisexual) guy? I kind of suspected his marriage was more of a "business arrangement", anyway.

One guy goes on about how he'd like Santorum as VP and I paraphrase

"I believe Santorum could help PA".

Wow, they're so fucking stupid. The man that loses the senate race by some 15+ points will help carry it in the election?

As for the Thompson being gay rumors - it looks like the RWers just can't catch a break. They just can't find the candidate they like.

Thank you.

I wonder how many Republican-leaning independents will be drawn to a potential Michael Bloomberg candidacy instead of rotten old Fred Thompson and street-thug Giuliani?

than we give him credit for right now (at least in these early polls, he hurts the GOP more).

I think he will try to hang on as long as possible. He wants it too badly. Over time, his candidacy will fade from front runner or top tier to the level of a Huckabee or Tancredo.

He may have to at some point drop. A lot depends on if he really wants it that badly and if he likes one of the others. If he thinks one of the others is a good alternative, he may drop to help that candidate.

It's kind of sad. I know it's his own fault, but it's still kind of sad.