Republican Fred Thompson, the actor-politician who attracted more attention as a potential presidential candidate than as a real one, quit the race for the White House on Tuesday after a string of poor finishes in early primary and caucus states.
"Today, I have withdrawn my candidacy for president of the United States.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," the former Tennessee senator said.
He did not say whether he would endorse anyone. He was one of a handful of members of Congress who supported Arizona Sen. John McCain in 2000 in his unsuccessful race against George W. Bush for the party nomination.
Thompson, 65, best known as the gruff district attorney on NBC's "Law & Order," placed third in Iowa and South Carolina and fared even worse in the four other states. Money already tight, he ran out of it as the losses piled up.
Despite initial impressions that he could garner strong conservative support, it never materialized. His light campaign schedule raised questions about his desire to be president. A spate of inartful answers -- from the Terri Schiavo case to Osama bin Laden -- didn't help matters.
Though his star had faded, Thompson earned positive reviews for a series of debate performances last fall.
HUCKABEE'S MONEY TROUBLE
In a sign of the financial difficulties facing Mike Huckabee, his campaign said Tuesday that top advisers are working without pay and some aides have left. The former Arkansas governor vowed to remain in the race through next Tuesday's Florida primary, telling about 50 people, mostly University of Florida fraternity members: "We are taking a look at everything daily. But we will be here every day in Florida until next week."
Earlier in the day, adviser Ed Rollins said top advisers are working without pay and some have left. He said, "A number of people, including myself," have agreed to forgo their pay in order to spend as much as possible on TV ads in vital states. Campaign contributions continue to come in, but Huckabee is stretched thin, he said.
Rival Rudy Giuliani also has acknowledged that about a dozen of his senior campaign workers were forgoing their January paychecks.
MCCAIN TAKES ON NEW YORK
Republican John McCain is taking aim on New York, raising money on rival Giuliani's turf and picking up the endorsement of the former New York mayor's longtime nemesis -- former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato. Polls showed the Arizona senator leading or tied with Giuliani in New York, which votes in two weeks. It has a 101-delegate prize.
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