Say it ain't so, Fred!

So much for my general election prediction.

From Fred08.com, a Statement from Sen. Fred Thompson:

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"Today I have withdrawn my candidacy for President of the United States.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

I guess $50 bucks each from dagny and I wasn't enough to keep that ol' red truck rolling into Florida.

UPDATE: 14:44 EST - 850 KOA Radio, Denver:
Republican Fred Thompson has quit the presidential race, according to a statement. Details at the top of the hour on 850KOA and at 850KOA.com.

UPDATE: 14:50 EST - WSJ NEWS ALERT:
NEWS ALERT
from The Wall Street Journal

Jan. 22, 2008

Fred Thompson dropped out of the Republican presidential race this afternoon after a third-place finish over the weekend in South Carolina's primary and poor performances in other early caucus and primary states. The former Tennessee senator did not say whether he would endorse any of his rivals.

Thompson's departure leaves behind a still-crowded Republican field, with John McCain, Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani and Mike Huckabee battling for the lead in Florida ahead of that state's Jan. 29 primary.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, see: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120103011452907237.html?mod=djemalertNEWS
READ THE TEXT OF THE THOMPSON CAMPAIGN'S STATEMENT at: http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/01/22/statement-thompson-quits-2008-race/

2008 Race Posted by JohnGalt at January 22, 2008 2:34 PM