| The rumor that Fred Thompson will quit the Republican presidential race if he finishes poorly in Iowa is not only false: it rises to the level of a political dirty trick aimed at reducing Thompson-backersÂ’ turnout in tonightÂ’s Iowa caucuses. The story, which began as a rumor and caught fire as a result of a piece in todayÂ’s Politico, said that Thompson was likely to quit after Iowa if he did poorly there, and might endorse Sen. John McCain before next weekÂ’s New Hampshire primary. The article painted a glum, almost resigned mood among ThompsonÂ’s inner circle. Thompson and his top campaign advisor Rich Galen both denied the storyÂ’s claims today. |