Fred: "Looks like the 'somebody' carrying a strong, consistent, conservative message ought to be me"

Thompson Says Campaign Will Continue

NAFEESA SYEED | January 4, 2008 01:37 AM EST | AP

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20080104/thompson/



DES MOINES, Iowa — Republican Fred Thompson remained upbeat despite failing to win or finish second in the Iowa caucuses.

Thompson congratulated his opponents _ Mike Huckabee won the vote and Mitt Romney finished second _ and said he was looking forward to the contests in New Hampshire next Tuesday and beyond. As of midnight, Thompson and John McCain were in a close race for a third-place finish.

"It looks like somebody is going to need to carry a strong, consistent, conservative message _ and it looks like it ought to be me," Thompson told a cheering crowd of about 200 supporters at a downtown hotel. "I don't know whether it's going to be a definitive third or tied for third, or whatever, but it's pretty clear that we're going to have a ticket to the next dance."

Supporters chanted "Fred, Fred, Fred," at Thompson who appeared on stage with his wife, Jeri, and Rep. Steve King of Iowa.

"You come away from this process with a real respect for everybody that puts their selves on the line and all their families to go out there and do the work," Thompson said. "This is the end of a long process here in Iowa ... but it's really the beginning of a very, very important process because we're going to decide from here on out, we're going to decide the leadership for the country that we love so much." It was a message Thompson's supporters were eager to hear. "We're ecstatic with third," said Tim Blakeman, a telephone technician from Altoona, Iowa.

AWAY

and marry.