January 22, 2008
Fred Thompson Bows Out; Will He Endorse McCain?
UPDATED.
After running what often seemed a half-hearted campaign for the presidency, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson is dropping out of the race for the Republican nomination.
"Today I have withdrawn my candidacy for president of the United States," Thompson said in a brief, 45-word press statement. "I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort. Jeri and I will always be grateful for the encouragement and friendship of so many wonderful people."
His campaign delivered the same message to his supporters on the popular social networking site Facebook, though with this added note: "Thanks for your support, everyone."
Thompson opted for an exit not typical for major presidential candidates, most of whom choose to deliver the news that they are ending their bids in a personal address to the volunteers and supporters who've spent months toiling on their behalf. Saturday night, after the results of the South Carolina Republican primary showed he'd finished a negligible third, would have been a prime opportunity to have done so.
Many expected Thompson to drop out that night if he did not place at least second. Instead, he joked that he still might win and gave no indication one way or another about the future of his campaign.
Thompson is widely expected to endorse friend and former Senate colleague John McCain. Thompson only ever directly attacked rivals Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee in advertising, and his personal distaste for both men is no secret.
Thompson's departure might be noted with nary a blink this week, and that in itself is the story. The senator-turned-"Law & Order" star flirted with a restive Republican base for a good five months before officially declaring his candidacy in September. The long lead time gave the press plenty of room to scrutinize Thompson's record -- for lack of anything else to cover -- and tried the patience of backers eager to see Thompson jump into the race.
It did not help that Thompson's campaign got off to such a rocky start. He was firing just-hired high-profile staffers right up until his announcement day, raising questions about his judgment and about who was really holding the reins in his campaign.
Thompson was also dogged by his reputation as a lazy Southern pol throughout his run. Gaffes in which he betrayed shaky knowledge of his own record didn't seem to help matters.
Nor did his debate performances seem terribly exciting. Thompson found support among Republicans who viewed the conservative as "Reagan-esque," but the so-so reviews of his campaign debut didn't inspire much fundraising and, consequently, momentum.
To his credit, Thompson's faults may mostly lie in his skills as a campaigner, rather than as a leader. An endorsement for McCain could really seal the Arizona senator's emerging status as the candidate to beat in the GOP contest.
"Law & Order" has already filled the TV job occupied by Thompson's character, District Attorney Arthur Branch. (DUN-DUN!) Meanwhile, the Republican presidential field remains a hodgepodge of unconventional choices for the party. See our review of the GOP's prospects here.
Posted at 3:49 PM
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Campaigns, Fred Thompson, John McCain, Republicans, WH 2008
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