With Thompson out, Jennings predicts it's McCain

Del. J.B. JenningsState Delegate J.B. Jennings is guessing that Sen. John McCain of Arizona will receive the 2008 Republican presidential nomination.

“I just see momentum going that way,” Jennings, a Republican from District 7, told PolitickerMD.com. “It’s just my gut feeling.”

Jennings had been a supporter of former Sen. Fred Thompson’s presidential campaign. The delegate said he would likely remain neutral among the remaining GOP candidates.

While predicting that McCain would ultimately prevail, Jennings said the race would come down to a choice between McCain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

The delegate said he liked Romney’s “business background” and McCain’s “world experience.” He said the former governor would be “strong on the economy,” while crediting the senator’s knowledge of the military and the “global war.”

Jennings reiterated that he did “not have a favorite,” saying he would “support whoever the Republican nominee is.”

“I think they’re all great candidates,” Jennings said, adding, “I could support either one,” in reference to McCain and Romney.

Jennings said he was “sad to see” Thompson drop out of the race, but acknowledged that the former senator “wasn’t going to win.”

“I do think he was the best candidate,” Jennings added.

He said he felt Thompson hurt his campaign by waiting to announce his candidacy throughout the summer last year.

“(Thompson) got in too late,” Jennings said.

The delegate also said Thompson was hampered by a lack of campaigning in the early primary and caucus states. Similarly, Jennings said the same concept has also damaged the presidential candidacy of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Jennings said Thompson and Giuliani should have campaigned more in states like Iowa and New Hampshire, rather than waiting to vigorously campaign in South Carolina and Florida, respectively.

Giuliani has dropped into third or fourth place in several Florida polls, where the primary is scheduled for tomorrow.

Jennings has served in the House of Delegates since 2003, representing Baltimore and Harford counties in District 7.