Fred Thompson Bows Out

Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson dropped out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination today.

The decision doesn't seem to be much of a surprise.

There was a time when some Republicans thought they had found the next Ronald Reagan in another actor-turned-politician. But the Thompson experience proves, as nothing else could, that Reagan was unique.

Thompson didn't even get close enough to get a whiff of victory in the primaries and caucuses held thus far. And the most crushing disappointment must have been a lackluster showing in the South Carolina primary on Saturday.

After the expectations that had been established, it was hard to imagine Thompson's campaign going anywhere with the lack of support it received.

Thompson was counting on a strong showing in South Carolina to keep his campaign going, but he didn't get much traction in the Palmetto State. And the outlook isn't any better in the primaries that are coming up on the political calendar.

So Thompson made the wise decision and chose to drop out.

In writing about Thompson's withdrawal, the New York Times observed, "His speaking style swung between folksy and laconic to the point of sleepy."

I have a friend who admires Thompson and wanted to see him run for president. But even he sensed a certain hesitance in Thompson to make a commitment to the campaign in the months leading up to his announcement.

Maybe that was Thompson's "Hamlet factor." He never could decide if he really wanted to be president.

Maybe now, he has decided.