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Thompson Quits Republican Race

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The New York Times

Published: January 23, 2008

CORAL BEACH - Fred D. Thompson, the former senator from Tennessee, dropped out of the Republican race for president Tuesday after a third-place primary showing Saturday in South Carolina, a state he had hoped to win when he entered the race riding a wave of optimism among conservatives looking for a strong general election candidate.

His withdrawal came three days after he delivered a rambling speech Saturday night that signaled his departure was imminent. Aides said it was delayed because he went to Tennessee to tend to his mother, who was ill.

"I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort," he said in a statement.

Thompson's advisers said he would not make an endorsement in the race.

At first blush, his decision would seem potentially to help former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who has competed for many of the same conservative voters Thompson sought.

Huckabee said Tuesday he might have come in second in South Carolina precisely because Thompson had siphoned off much of his support, permitting Sen. John McCain of Arizona to win.

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