O’Donnell will likely stay Neutral Among GOP Presidential Contenders

Anthony J. O’Donnell, the Minority Leader in the House of Delegates, said he would likely remain neutral among the remaining Republican presidential candidates. The minority leader had been a vocal supporter of former Sen. Fred Thompson, who ended his campaign earlier this week.

In an interview today with PolitickerMD.com, O’Donnell said he “thought Thompson was the right guy, but it didn’t work out that way.”

“That’s why we have primaries,” he added.

Thompson had been highly recruited by conservative Republicans last spring and summer to join the race, before officially announcing his candidacy on September 5. Despite the initial excitement, Thompson’s campaign never materialized, and he withdrew from the race on Tuesday after finishing a distant third in the South Carolina primary on Jan. 19.

Among the remaining candidates, O’Donnell said it was “possible” but “not likely” that he would make an endorsement before the Maryland primary on Feb. 12.

“At this time—I am considering my options,” O’Donnell said. “I will watch Florida and Super Tuesday.”

The minority leader would not comment when asked if he had a current favorite, saying, “I think we have strong candidates.”

“They all have strengths and most have weaknesses—like most human beings,” O’Donnell said.

He also chose not to comment when asked about the candidacies of Sen. John McCain and former Gov. Mitt Romney.

O’Donnell said he thought each of the GOP candidates would “be better” than the Democratic nominee, saying the Democrats were “slapping each other around.”

As for Thompson, O’Donnell said he felt the media did not cover the former senator’s campaign in great depth, saying he felt the coverage of Thompson’s withdrawal was “more coverage” than he had received while a candidate.

“There are many intangibles,” he added.

The minority leader also said he did not “have a chance” to watch last night’s GOP presidential debate in Florida.

The Republican primary in Florida is scheduled for this coming Tuesday, Jan. 29.