Thompson Quits Presidential Bid

Actor and former US Senator Fred Thompson (R-TN) withdrew from the presidential race yesterday. Bill Bennett, arch conservative commentator for CNN, said, “"He's really been good lately, but it's too late. If you're a Southern conservative and you can't make it in South Carolina, it's over." More than that, Mr. Thompson never really looked like he wanted the job of president.

He got a late start in the race, announcing in September after forming a fund raising committee in June. However, at that stage, the Republicans were still not thrilled with their choices, and a “true conservative” like Mr. Thompson had everything the party faithful wanted. What really hurt him was Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee’s rather likable nature. Mr. Thompson has a grouchy manner on TV, and no one really wants to elect a grump.

So, Mr. Thompson finished third in Iowa, fifth in Michigan and Nevada, sixth in New Hampshire and a distant second to former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in Wyoming. South Carolina’s backing of John McCain was the final straw for the Thompson effort. Eventually, a candidate has to rack up delegates, and the Thompson campaign just didn’t get the job done.

Mr. Huckabee is the natural home for Mr. Thompson’s backers. Had Mr. Thompson not been in the race, most of the 16% of the votes he got would have gone for Mr. Huckabee. When one considers that the governor lost to Mr. McCain by a mere three percent, he might have carried South Carolina, and the McCain camp would be wondering what to do next.

The trouble always was that Fred Thompson didn’t want to work the 20-hour days that the Iowa Caucus and New Hampshire Primary demand. One always got the impression he’d rather be acting. He may someday play a president on TV, he just won’t be one.





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