Republican and Conservative political analysis and commentary

As the curtain falls on the Thompson presidential campaign, Tennessee newspapers today are rife with speculation and analysis.

From the Tennessean:

While Thompson's campaign was not successful, he could have an impact on who receives the nomination. Thompson could encourage his social conservative supporters to back McCain.

Huckabee has blamed Thompson for his second-place showing in South Carolina, claiming that Thompson stayed in the race to siphon off social conservatives from him.

Thompson's withdrawal probably will help Huckabee in the South, said Bruce Oppenheimer, political science professor at Vanderbilt University. A Thompson endorsement of McCain might make a difference in Thompson's home state of Tennessee, but it isn't clear if it would have any impact elsewhere, Oppenheimer said.

Thompson aides said they believe he would agree if asked to run as vice president. Oppenheimer said he had no idea whether Thompson would be asked to be a vice presidential candidate, but he doubted that McCain would offer him the job because McCain is 71 and Thompson is 65.

The idea of a Thompson candidacy, first floated in March 2007, did far better than the actual campaign. Before announcing, he vaulted into second place in national polls. He still held that position when he formally entered the race in early September but steadily declined.

His leisurely speaking style was branded as lackluster by the national media. Thompson acknowledged in Iowa that he was not fueled by a burning ambition to be president.

From the Chattanoogan:

Rep. Zach Wamp, who helped urged Thompson to make the race, said he was "a thoroughbred candidate who was right on the issues."

But he said the Thompson campaign failed to gain traction and got too far behind to catch up.

In an interview on WGOW Talk Radio, Rep. Wamp said Sen. Thompson would make a good choice for vice president.

He said he believes John McCain now is the GOP frontrunner, and he said former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani
has fallen too far behind.

He said he believes some Thompson backers will join the McCain campaign, while others will support Mike Huckabee. He said he does not expect that many will back Mitt Romney.

Rep. Wamp said he does not expect Sen. Thompson to make an endorsement.

From the Memphis Commercial Appeal:

Huckabee, from neighboring Arkansas, has former Tennessee GOP chairman Chip Saltsman running his campaign. Romney is backed by GOP financier Ted Welch of Nashville. McCain campaigned for Sen. Bob Corker here only 14 months ago.

Hat tip:
Tennessee Politics