Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson dropped out of the presidential race, according to a statement from his campaign.
The statement says:
"Today I have withdrawn my candidacy for President of the United States. I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort. Jeri and I will always be grateful for the encouragement and friendship of so many wonderful people."
Presidential Candidate Fred Thompson posed for photographs, signed autographs and shook hands with several Horry County residents during a brief stop this afternoon in downtown Conway.
“I just want a handshake,’’ Myrtle Beach resident Brian Morrison shouted from the crowd with his hand outstretched to the former Tennessee senator.
“Those are free,” Thompson replied as he grabbed Morrison hand.
Thompson stopped in a couple of downtown Conway businesses before getting on his bus and heading to North Myrtle Beach for a meet and greet set for 4:30 p.m. today at Fuddrucker's restaurant, 10435 N Kings Highway.
Presidential hopeful Fred Thompson, the former Tennessee senator staking his bid for the White House on a strong showing in South Carolina's Jan. 21 Jan. 19 Republican primary, has four stops in the area planned on his statewide bus tour.
At 2:15 p.m. today, Thompson will park at the corner of Third Avenue and Elm Street in Conway and walk the downtown, said spokesman Joshua Gross.
At 4:30 p.m., Thompson will be in North Myrtle Beach at the Fuddrucker's restaurant, 10435 N Kings Highway.
After Thursday night's Republican debate, Thompson will make two more local stops before getting out on the road. At 10 a.m. Friday, he'll be at Surfside Jenny's, 1013 Glenns Bay Road, Surfside Beach.
He'll meet and greet folks along Front Street in Georgetown on Friday after his visit in Surfside Beach. Details of the time and location are pending.
The state Republican party has just announced the lineup for tomorrow night's debate, The Sun News is reporting.
And, it's pretty much the candidates you expected: Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson.
Here's the link to The Sun News' story: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/111/story/308330.html
Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul might travel by plane, but some of his supporters opt for more unconventional means. Several of the candidate's supporters have been flying a 197-foot long blimp around the South with the message, ``Google Ron Paul'' written on the side.
The campaign issued an invitation to several other Democratic and Republican candidates to come out for a ride while the zeppelin is docked in Myrtle Beach for the debate.
Continue reading "Zeppelin campaign shows whole lotta love" »
Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson has chosen South Carolina as his Alamo.
Thompson told reporters today in Greenville that the state will be "determinative"
"This is where we make our stand - this is where I have chosen to make my stand," he said. "There's no question about it. It could prove at the end of the day that South Carolina is determinative as far as I'm concerned, but we're not there yet."
One of his regional chairmen, state Sen. Larry Grooms, put it bluntly:
"If he does not do well here, it's pretty much over," Grooms said.
The local branches of several presidential hopefuls will be watching the Iowa returns tonight-- some with baited breath, others with beer.
A few of the campaigns including those for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee will host events at restaurants and bars. Others will be having smaller get togethers at the homes of local supporters on an invite-only basis.
"I think a lot of people will be watching to figure out who will move on and who will be dropping out," said Barbara Leonard, a local organizer for the John McCain campaign. "There are going to be some little home get togethers, but nothing formal."
We already knew that 15th Circuit Court Solicitor Greg Hembree was former Sen. Fred Thompson's campaign chairman for Horry County. Now his campaign announced his Georgetown chair, along with a slew of other chairs.
Here's what they had to say about the chair, Melissa Newsom:
Newsom is a successful small business owner, County Executive Committeewoman, Secretary for the Waccamaw Neck Republican club, and a delegate to the SC GOP Convention.
Now that the dates for the two presidential debates have been nailed down – Jan. 10 for the Republicans, followed by the Democrats on Jan. 21 – you might be wondering how you can attend.
The answer is, you probably can’t, unless you have friends in the state Republican Party or the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus Institute. No tickets will be available for the public.
“Most debates are invitation only,” said Amie Lee, executive project coordinator with the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
Who issues the invitations?
The two sponsoring entities, the state Republicans for the Republican debate and the Congressional Black Caucus for the Democrats, control the majority of the invitations, Lee said. Other groups attached to the debates, such as the networks (Fox News for the Republicans, CNN for the Democrats), will also be allocated tickets, Lee said.
Will the volunteers be able attend?
Not necessarily, Lee said.
“We need tons of volunteers to make this thing run smoothly, but unfortunately that does not promise a ticket into the debate,” Lee said.
Much of the volunteer work will take place prior to the debates or off site, such as stuffing welcome bags to working as volunteer concierges at area hotels, Lee said. Another big need will be helping place directional signs for visitors all over town, and picking them afterward, Lee said.
How can I volunteer?
Call local volunteer coordinating organization Step Up!, (843) 349-6488, or go to www.myrtlebeachpresidentialdebates.com. That site is a portal to detailed information on both debates, Lee said, and also has an online sign-up form for volunteers.
Who will moderate the debates?
The networks are still making the final decision, Lee said, but Fox’s Brit Hume has been discussed for the Republicans, and CNN’s Wolf Blitzer for the Democrats.
How will questions be selected?
The networks will select the questions, Lee said.
Who will provide security?
Security will come from all over, Lee said – the State Law Enforcement Division, the Secret Service, Capitol Hill Police, local agencies and private security firms.
Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson will visit Myrtle Beach for the first time on Tuesday with an afternoon event at NASCAR Café, said Greg Hembree, Horry County chairman for the campaign.
Thompson, a former U.S. senator from Tennessee, will come to Myrtle Beach after an event in Charleston.
The café is at 21st Avenue North at U.S. 17 Bypass.
What | Fred Thompson makes campaign stop in Myrtle Beach
When | 3:45 p.m., Tuesday
Where | NASCAR Café, 1808 21st Ave. N., Myrtle Beach
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