So ends the bizarre candidacy of Fred Thompson. The darling of the Real Conservatives(TM) before he stopped playing coy and entered the race late, he was roundly criticized for running a lackadaisical campaign that resembled a sleepwalk than a political contest. It’s possible the only major effect he had was to rob Huckabee of a victory in South Carolina — or, perhaps, to let Jack McCoy take over as DA.
Of course, we may not have seen the last of him. It isn’t out of the question that he could be offered the Veep post, depending on who wins. But for now, the GOP ranks are thinned by just a bit more.