Tommy Thompson is Iowa’s First Casualty

After a sixth-place finish in Saturday’s Iowa Straw Poll, Tommy Thompson, the four-term governor of Wisconsin and former secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, said he was ending his presidential bid.

Mr. Thompson’s campaign issued a statement tonight confirming his decision to drop out of the race:

“I want to thank the people of Iowa who were welcoming and supportive as well as my volunteers and contributors from around the country,” Mr. Thompson said in the statement. “I have no regrets about running. I felt my record as Governor of Wisconsin and Secretary of Health and Human Services gave me the experience I needed to serve as President, but I respect the decision of the voters. I am leaving the campaign trail today, but I will not leave the challenges of improving health care and welfare in America.”

I never feel good when somebody loses a dream.  While Thompson wasn't my candidate, I can "feel the pain" of being rebuked after so much work had been put into something.  This will certainly help the Mike Huckabee campaign, and for that I am grateful.  I hope a few other candidates look at the results from Saturday and take a similar action.  It's never easy to admit defeat, but one can only pursue a lost cause for so long. 

Thank you for losing with honor Governor Thompson.