Washington Post has the story.

Red State and Malkin reaction.

Former Senator Fred Thompson who entered the Republican race with high expectations has announced he will end his bid.

“Today I have withdrawn my candidacy for President of the United States.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

Fred Thompsons spouse, Jeri Thompson, hits Huckabee on MSNBC over his record and questions his conservatism.

You can also check out Jeri taking on John Gibson’s radio program taking on Joe Scarborough’s criticism of her husband.

The Politico is reporting that barring a surprise showing today in Iowa former Senator Fred Thompson will drop out and give his support to Senator John McCain.

Iowa – Several Republican officials close to Fred Thompson’s presidential campaign said they expect the candidate will drop out of the race within days if he finishes poorly in Thursday’s Iowa caucus.

Thompson’s campaign, which last spring and summer was generating fevered anticipation in the media and with some Republican activists, has never ignited nationally, and there are no signs of a late spark happening here in Iowa, where even a third-place finish is far from assured.

However on two morning shows today Thompson denied the report:

CNN: Denied story about possibly dropping out, backing McCain. “I’ve never said that, I’ve never implied that, in public or in private.” Talked oil prices, CIA tapes. Repeated that having too much “personal ambition” is a danger for candidates.

Fox: Again denied story about dropping out, saying it was probably planted by rival campaign. “There is no such Thompson adviser. It is not something I have thought about or discussed with anybody.” Maintained he’s doing well in Iowa, said he didn’t get in the race late, others got in early. “We’ll see whether being in everyone’s face for two years and spending $100 million is necessary.”

After receiving the National Right to Life Committee endorsement and then finding himself in some trouble over comments made about the Terry Schiavo case, Fred Thompson talked about the issue on This Week. The former Senator stands by his position that the federal government went too far in that case and that such decisions should be made at the state level. With that said he stands by his position that in ever decision he hopes families, doctors and governments stay on the side of life.

Thompson has also suggested that Roe v. Wade should be overturned but unlike many of his conservative colleagues believes abortion should be left up to the states. It is a position Mike Huckabee has begun using against Thompson.

In Fred Thompson’s continued quest to write the book ‘How Not to Act Like a Serious Presidential Candidate’ he joked with a FOX News reporter that he would not be the next president of the United States.

Trying to encourage his studio to hurry up so an interview could start, Carl Cameron of Fox News said into his microphone: “The next president of the United States has a schedule to keep.” Standing beside him, a deadpan Mr Thompson interjected: “And so do I.”

As some Thompson aides looked bemused and others cringed, a taken-aback Mr Cameron, Fox’s chief political correspondent, exclaimed: “You can’t do that kind of stuff!”

From the New York Times:

Mr. Thompson walked slowly onto the stage, kissed his wife, Jeri, on the cheek, made a joke or two, claimed to be a “consistent conservative” — and said good night. He spoke for four minutes.

“I was really kind of shocked,” said Linda Hoffman, 47, who wore stickers for all the candidates on her blazer, reflecting her indecision. “We were all hoping he would say something we could get behind, but there was nothing.”

What can I say? Like and old man slipping into a warm bath, Fred Thompson continues his campaign.

The Associated Press has noted that former Senator Fred Thompson is missing from the campaign trail. After his first debate appearance Thompson has gone missing, canceling an event in New Hampshire and basically dropping out of the spotlight last week.

Typically when a candidate meets expectations or beats them in a debate (for Thompson that boiled down to not dying on the stage or pledging allegiance to the communist party) they take a little stroll around the early primary states and use the buzz to garner some attention. Thompson chose to continue what has been seen as a pretty “lazy” start.

He has nothing on the calendar that I can find for today. Tomorrow he has a quick meeting in Washington D.C. and then a whole lot of nothing until the debate on October 21st.

What gives?

From the Blogosphere on the Subject
- Not the way to combat a reputation for laziness

- Are You Wasting Our Time?

Last week Mitt Romney made the following joke as reported by CNN:

Romney said his wife would make a “prettier first lady” than former president Bill Clinton.

Today Drudge has the following:

At NRA, Fred Thompson introduced wife and said: ‘She would make a much better first lady than Bill Clinton’… Crowd fell to pieces…. Developing…

Sphere: Related Content

Fred Thompson appears to be keeping a pretty low profile and a rather light schedule for someone running for president. Especially for someone running for president nearly nine months after a good portion of the other candidates had already announced and started to raise money.

This week Thompson will hold no public appearances, opting instead to attend a few light fundraisers. This is off the heels of a very light second official week as a candidate in which he attended an average of no more than three appearances a day according to the NY Times.

My only question is, why would a guy who seems so unenthusiastic when it comes to running for president leave behind a pretty good gig on Law & Order to do it?