Tuesday, November 4, 2008
9:38 PM
Thompson stops short of calling prez race over
Former Gov. Tommy Thompson stopped just short of declaring John McCain's chances for the presidency over during an interview on CNBC.
Thompson said all indications were that it was almost impossible for McCain to win with Ohio and Pennsylvania already in Obama's column and Indiana still too close to call more than three hours after the polls there had closed.
"Those states need to be going for a Republican and going early in order for a Republican to win," said Thompson, appearing via satellite from Milwaukee. "It's going to be a long night, but it's not going to be a good night for Republicans."
Thompson, who abandoned his own bid for the presidency in August 2007, has been critical of McCain's campaign in recent weeks and told CNBC that the Republican's campaign was "not put together properly."
"It's easy to be critical, but the truth of the matter is Obama had a clear message, no more extension of bush, no more, no more," Thompson said.
The former Health and Human Services secretary also said he expects Dems to push a mandate through on health care to move toward a nationalized system. He said he didn't expect Obama to stand up to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., on the issue.
"It's a terrible step," Thompson said. "I think it's the wrong step for health care. But I think it's coming."
-- By JR Ross
Labels: 2008 fall election
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