On the rather late date of Sept. 4, 2007, Fred Thomspon sat on Jay Leno’s couch and declared that he was running for President, adding, “I don’t think people are going to say, ‘That guy would make a very good President, but he just didn’t get in soon enough.’” Thompson was right. It wasn’t the lateness of his entry — fully six months after most of his rivals — that killed his campaign. It was the candidate’s own perceived apathy.

Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson withdrew Tuesday from the White House race. Here’s his statement:
McLean, VA - Senator Fred Thompson today issued the following statement about his campaign for President:

“Today I have withdrawn my candidacy for President of the United States.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

From here it’s expected that Thompson will endorse his old colleague McCain. Indeed, he has already helped McCain: by staying in the race he drew Evangelical support from former Arkansas Mike Huckabee, helping McCain to a win in South Carolina. Though if McCain is envisioning all-night bus tours and tireless stumping from Thompson, he might be making the same mistake many Republicans did when Thompson got into the race: he may be expecting a little too much.