The Discerning Texan

McCain cheerleaders like Fred Barnes have been speculating that Fred Thompson will drop out and endorse McCain, and I have been saying how could he possibly do this; well, he isn't (endorsing McCain). Fred may not keep going, but he is doing the right thing in not endorsing another candidate, even though the buzz is that he is not a big fan of Romney's:

Fred Out of Thursday's Debate; Doesn't Plan on Endorsing

I spoke to one of my Thompson sources.

He's still with his ailing mother. "He's just being a good son."

He has not spoken to any other campaign or any other candidates, nor does he intend to at this time.

He will not endorse, I am told by this source close to Thompson.

I am also told, "he has no interest in a vice presidency or a cabinet position." At an "appropriate time" he will outline his plans for the near future.

This source believes that the race has demonstrated that whatever happens from here on out, the GOP has to stand for consistent conservative policies across the board.

At one point, I asked this source if the attitude was, 'if you can't be Reagan, be Goldwater,' and the source responded, "exactly."

If I were a betting man, I would bet on him departing the race in the not-too-distant future.

Good. He doesn't throw conservatism under the bus by endorsing the DIRC (Democrat in Republican Clothing--and I want the trademark!).

More good news: Huckleberry is out of money.

UPDATE: Fred made it official. Very sad day in the DT household.

Just to get this off of my chest: why the hell are we allowing States who allow Democrat crossover votes and Independents to bus in from other States and to decide for Republicans who should be our candidates? Who came up with this brilliant idea in the first place?

Here's a suggestion: why don't we start the 2012 primaries in Texas? God's country, staunchly conservative, and a whole pile of delagates at stake. And yes, we do separate the Democrats and Republicans in the primaries. I am frankly sick of our candidates having to pander to the centrists and leftists in New Hampshire or Iowa before they even sniff the South.

If we are going to let one state dictate our country's direction, why not a state that really matters in the grand scheme of things.

There. That feels a little better. But not much.