Because I Said So…

Actor and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson dropped out of the Republican presidential contest Tuesday afternoon.  Duh.

The inevitable withdrawal comes after a late entrance into the crowded Republican presidential field.  Some considered his September jump into the ring too late. 

Still, Thompson continued his uphill struggle until a disappointing third place finish in the South Carolina primary on Saturday.  Since then, it has been a matter of when, not if, Thompson would announce his withdrawal.

Thompson chose to bow out quietly.  There were no media conferences or formal releases to the press.  Instead, the “Law & Order” alum opted to post a statement on his website:

“Today I have withdrawn my candidacy for President of the United States. 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.”

 Arthur Branch fans might be mourning his early exit, but Mike Huckabee probably hasn’t been this happy since he lost all that weight.  Huckabee said “he expects Thompson’s withdrawal will boost his support among conservatives.”  Thompson and the former governor of Arkansas both competed for the same conservative voters. 

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

With more elbow room in the Republican presidential field Huckabee can afford to have a slice of pie before his next jog.

R.I.P. Thompson campaign:  September 2007-January 2008

Do you remember the season finale of “Law & Order” last year when Nicole Bailey, the ex-wife of a prominent former senator is found brutally murdered at home?  The senator cooperates with Detectives Ed Green and Nina Cassady,  but of course they question his innocence after finding the widower in a compromising position with another family member’s dead body.  A media frenzy insues after his indictment for both murders.

In the episode, District Attorney Arthur Branch, played by Fred Dalton Thompson, advises the prosecution in the high profile case.  Wait, is that the same Fred Thompson who is the fourth place Republican candidate in the presidential race?  The one and the same.   Thompson served as the fictional district attorney from 2002-2007.

I have a feeling Thompson may be reevaluating his decision not to renew his contract with the long-running series.  His poor showing at the South Carolina Republican primary Saturday has spurred talk that he might retire   from the race soon.  The former U.S. senator from Tennessee and Law & Order alumnus obtained only 16% of the vote behind John McCain and Mike Huckabee.  Traditionally the winner of South Carolina goes on to win the party’s nomination, but with the GOP not yet having a clear front-runner, Thompson might be sticking around for a couple more contests.  He is expected to say something definitive on Tuesday.

But Bruce Oppenheimer, a Vanderbilt University political science professor, said Thompson’s candidacy at this point was only to help McCain.  The two were close allies while they served in the Senate.  Others point to Thompsons defeated sounding speech after South Carolina as an indicator that the primary was the final curtain call for the former actor:

“My friends, we will always be bound by a close bond because we have traveled a very special road together for a very special purpose,” Thompson said.

Case closed?  Pundits are saying look for Thompson to say something more definitive Tuesday.