Fred Thompson joined John McCain on the campaign trail Tuesday.

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina (CNN) — Fred Thompson made his first public appearance since dropping out of the presidential race Tuesday, using his conservative credentials to backstop a major speech Tuesday from presumptive Republican nominee John McCain on judicial appointments.

Thompson, seated behind McCain on stage and rocking back in his arm chair, grinned as McCain called him “an old and very dear friend” and made a few light-hearted references to Thompson’s acting resume.

“I know exam week involves some tough moments,” McCain told students in the audience at Wake Forest University. “Like when you're up at 3:00 a.m. and have to choose between studying or watching one of Fred's old movies.”

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Thompson is looking to head back to Hollywood.

(CNN) — Two months after early primary voters put an end to his short-lived presidential bid, Fred Thompson is hoping for a friendlier reception back in Hollywood.

The former Republican presidential candidate is seeking a return to his acting career, having recently signed a deal with the William Morris Agency, Reuters reports.

Thompson, a former senator from Tennessee, starred as New York District Attorney Arthur Branch in the NBC show "Law & Order" until last year when Republican Party insiders convinced him to mount a presidential bid.

The 65-year-old conservative was hailed by some as the next coming of Ronald Reagan, but his campaigning style was criticized as lackluster, and he was never able to capitalize on the anticipation supporters had built before he announced that he was getting into the race.

He played to the voters as a staunch conservative and a son of the South, and while he did draw some evangelical voters from one-time Baptist preacher and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, it wasn't enough to pull him into contention for the nomination.

Thompson formally ended his bid late last January after third place showings in Iowa and South Carolina — the two states in which he devoted most of his resources.

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

TAMPA, Florida (CNN) – The day after Fred Thompson announced he was dropping out of the presidential race, Mitt Romney told reporters he believed he had the most to gain from the former senator's exit.

For the Republican party to hold on to the White House, said Romney Wednesday, “I think you have to have social conservatives on board, as well as economic conservatives and foreign policy or national defense conservatives.

"I speak to those three groups. I think Fred Thompson did as well and in some respects his departure from the campaign I think inures to my benefit.”

He added, “I will miss Sen. Thompson's humor at our debates, he is a delightful character…. I appreciate his contributions to this campaign.” The two men often tangled on the campaign trail, with Romney often on the receiving end of attacks from Thompson.

The former Tennessee senator hasn’t said whether he plans to endorse any of his former opponents, including close friend John McCain, and it's unclear which candidate his former supporters might now embrace.

The most recent polls, which were conducted before Thompson ended his run, showed Romney neck-and-neck with McCain in Florida's GOP presidential race.

– CNN Political Producer Alexander Marquardt

CNN=Politics Daily is The Best Political Podcast from the Best Political Team.

(CNN) – The troubled economy is front and central this election year. President Bush and Congress are facing mounting political pressure on the issue, as the Federal Reserve unexpectedly cut interest rates Tuesday.

In the latest episode of CNN=Politics Daily White House Correspondent Ed Henry highlights a possible emergency recession plan from President Bush and Congress.

On the campaign trail, the battle between Sens. Clinton and Obama continues after Monday’s spirited CNN debate in South Carolina. Jessica Yellin reports from that state on the latest campaign dustup.

And while the Democrats battle each other, they are starting to focus on a new target across party lines. Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider highlights the new cross-party fire directed at Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

Finally, just days after a placing third in South Carolina’s Republican primary, former Sen. Fred Thompson has dropped out of the presidential race. Chief National Correspondent John King reports from Florida.

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–CNN's Emily Sherman

Thompson had a disappointing showing in the GOP's South Carolina primary. (Photo Credit: AP)

In a statement issued by his campaign, Fred Thompson said:

"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."

Full story

(CNN) — The presidential race remains unsettled despite voting in Iowa, New Hampshire, Wyoming, Michigan, Nevada, and the GOP primary in South Carolina.

As the 2008 White House race moves to Florida for the primaries there on January 29 and the Democratic primary on January 26 in South Carolina, CNN continues to bring you in-depth political coverage. 

If you missed any of CNN's Sunday Ballot Bowl programming, you can catch the highlights here:

Video: Watch Chuck Norris and Mike Huckabee

Video: Watch Giuliani on what he'd fix 

Video: Watch Edwards on Dr. King's legacy

Video: Watch Sen. McCain's S.C. victory speech

Video: Watch Sen. Clinton on Dr. King's legacy 

Video: Watch Fred Thompson's S.C. concession speech

Video: Watch Edwards: 'Enough is enough'

Video: Watch Romney: 'We can fix Washington'

Video: Watch Mike Huckabee S.C. concession speech

Video: Watch Sen. Obama on unity

Video: Watch Sen. McCain discuss his S.C. win with Dana Bash

–CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart

Will Fred Thompson stay in the presidential race? (Photo Credit: AP)

(CNN) — After a weak showing in the South Carolina primary, Fred Thompson gave a wistful speech to supporters, telling them "we'll always stand strong together."

Thompson had staked his campaign on a strong finish in the Republican primary here.

While he remains in the race, two sources told CNN that "it was abundantly evident to all of us" that the bar was a win or a very competitive second place in South Carolina to continue to be viable in the GOP presidential race.

Thompson has no public schedule Sunday, and is planning to consult with campaign manager Bill Lacy and other top advisers about the next move.

"We are not blind to the obvious," said one senior campaign adviser.

But, given the muddled course of the Republican race so far, both aides said Thompson and his advisers wanted to watch the results come in tonight before making a final decision.

Related video: Watch Thompson's S.C. concession speech

–CNN's John King, Candy Crowley, and Gloria Borger contributed to this report

CNN=Politics Daily is The Best Political Podcast from the Best Political Team.

(CNN) — Former President Bill Clinton has become a regular fixture on the campaign trail as his wife mounts her own campaign for the White House.

In the latest episode of CNN=Politics Daily, Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley takes a look at the Clinton's tag-team campaign style.

Wolf Blitzer also speaks with Clinton backer Bob Johnson about his apology to Sen. Barack Obama.

South Carolina's GOP primary is January 19 and the Best Political Team has the southern state covered. Dana Bash reports on Sen. John McCain's new economic plan announced in Columbia, South Carolina Thursday.

Chief National Correspondent John King is also on the trail in South Carolina and takes a look at Fred Thompson's effort to win the important GOP primary.

Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider reports on the string of endorsements Sen. Barack Obama recently received from Democratic insiders.

Click here to subscribe to CNN=Politics Daily.

Thompson is getting tough on his rivals.

ABBEVILLE, South Carolina (CNN) -– Fred Thompson continued his attacks on all three of his main Republican rivals in South Carolina Wednesday.

The former Tennessee senator, running behind John McCain, Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney in recent surveys in the state, has staked his candidacy on a strong showing in the GOP primary there this Saturday.

Asked by a voter Wednesday how his record on "conservative Christian values" stacked up against those of Huckabee and John McCain, he immediately criticized the former Arkansas governor.

"Just to cut through the baloney, it was me and not him who received the National Right to Life endorsement," he said. "Who do you think knows my record better? They've been following me since 1994."

Thompson repeated the criticisms he made against Huckabee at last weekend's GOP debate in Myrtle Beach, especially on the issue of illegal immigration.

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CNN=Politics Daily is The Best Political Podcast from the Best Political Team.

(CNN) — The Republican presidential primary race has another winner. Mitt Romney won Michigan's GOP primary Tuesday night and now Romney and the rest of the GOP presidential field will continue their contest in South Carolina and Nevada.

The three leading Democrats debated one another Tuesday night in Las Vegas — less than a week before Nevada's caucuses.

In the latest episode of CNN=Politics Daily, John Roberts speaks with Mitt Romney and Mary Snow reports on the Republican presidential race.

Roberts also sits down with Mark Halperin, book author and Senior Political Analyst for Time Magazine, to discuss the next stage of the White House race. Finally, Kiran Chetry speaks with former senator Fred Thompson.

Click here to subscribe to CNN=Politics Daily

–CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart

(CNN) – With voting just two days away, it’s down to the wire for the Republican White House hopefuls contesting Michigan’s GOP presidential primary. Out West, Nevada’s caucuses are now less than a week away and South Carolina’s Republican primary will be held on the same day – January 19.

In CNN’s Sunday Ballot Bowl programming, CNN’s correspondents and producers were with the presidential candidates out on the campaign trail in the states who are up next to vet the field of White House hopefuls. If you missed any of Sunday's Ballot Bowl, you can get the highlights here:

Video: Giuliani on change

Video: Huckabee on Baptist background

Video: Obama: It won't stay in Vegas

Video: Romney one-on-one

Video: McCain: Michigan can lead the nation

Video: Edwards in Florence, S.C.

Video: Thompson's conservative values

Video: Clinton on health care

Video: Clinton on Dr. King

Video: Obama on Clinton's MLK comment

–CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart

(CNN) – The race for the White House fans out to Michigan, South Carolina, Nevada, and Florida now that Iowa's caucuses and New Hampshire's primaries are over. CNN continues to provide complete coverage of the presidential hopefuls as they battle for their party's nomination. If you missed any of CNN's Ballot Bowl programming Saturday, you can catch the highlights here:

Video: Clinton: 'We need a change of heart'

Video: McCain: 'We can create jobs here'

Video: Giuliani on tax reform

Video: Huckabee: 'We value life'

Video: Obama: 'Yes we can'

Video: Edwards: Value U.S. workers

Video: Romney: 'Washington is broken'

Video: Thompson: 'What you see is what you get'

Video: Poll: McCain a threat to Dems

– CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart

Watch Thompson on American Morning Tuesday.

(CNN) — While most of the presidential candidates are up in New Hampshire awaiting results of its first-in-the-nation primary, Republican candidate Fred Thompson is already in South Carolina, site of the next major primary vote. The former Tennessee senator, who essentially abandoned his New Hampshire campaign weeks ago, is embarking on an eleven-day bus tour throughout the Palmetto State.

“I swapped the snow for the mild temperatures,” he said Tuesday.

On CNN’s American Morning, he defended his strategy of skipping the Granite State’s high-profile contest. “It was all about getting out of Iowa with a ticket, a ticket to South Carolina,” he told anchor Kiran Chetry. “We have not spent very much time or money in New Hampshire. We went up there for the two debates that they had over the weekend, but it’s all been about getting to South Carolina and then going from there.”

South Carolina’s Republicans head to the polls January 19.

Thompson conceded that he wouldn’t do well in New Hampshire, telling Chetry: “I think that that’s pretty clear cut there.

– CNN’s Emily Sherman

New mailer from group supporting Thompson’s South Carolina campaign.

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (CNN) — The National Right to Life Committee, which endorsed Fred Thompson in November, is sending out mailers in South Carolina urging "pro-lifers to unite" behind Thompson's candidacy.

The abortion mailer, which focuses on Thompson's Senate record, comes as his campaign is shoring up their South Carolina staff. The former Tennessee senator is hoping to make a comeback in a state where he's now slipped into a three-way tie for third place in most recent polls, behind Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney.

"Vote for life in the South Carolina Republican Primary," the mailer says, noting that Thompson "is the only candidate endorsed by the National Right to Life PAC and South Carolina Citizens for Life PAC."

South Carolina Citizens for Life is the NRLC state affiliate that endorsed Thompson in December.

Thompson's campaign now hinges on the first-in-the-South Republican primary. Last week, Thompson was forced to deny reports he was planning to drop out of the race and support John McCain if he fared poorly in the Iowa caucuses voting. He finished third in Iowa and is running last in New Hampshire.

The Thompson campaign has begun to rotate staffers into the must-win state from their national headquarters in Virginia. This week, Thompson will avoid New Hampshire and head straight to the Palmetto State on Monday evening to prepare for a statewide bus tour and media push.

Thompson said on CNN's Late Edition Sunday that "it's all about South Carolina," and predicated his campaign will be resurgent if they win that primary on January 19.

He conceded the plan hinged on a fundraising boost to his cash-poor campaign.

"If we can raise the money sufficient to hold our own on television, we will win South Carolina and we will be in good shape," Thompson told Wolf Blitzer.

–CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby

Thompson is counting on a win is South Carolina

(CNN) — Republican Fred Thompson defended his campaign strategy of conceding early voting contests to focus on southern states in a CNN Late Edition interview Sunday — but conceded the plan hinged on a fundraising boost to his cash-poor campaign.

“If we can raise the money sufficient to hold our own on television…we will win South Carolina and we will be in good shape,” Thompson told Wolf Blitzer. His campaign has struggled to stay competitive on the airwaves in recent weeks, and briefly went dark in Iowa in the days leading up to the state’s January 3 caucuses.

The former Tennessee senator is statistically tied for third, along with Arizona Sen. John McCain and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani in most recent surveys of South Carolina GOP primary voters. Iowa winner and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is leading most polls, followed by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

South Carolina is turning into a must-win for Thompson, who finished third in Iowa and is running last in New Hampshire. Last week, he was forced to deny reports he was planning to drop out of the race and support John McCain if he fared poorly in Hawkeye State voting.

”Everybody said that Rudy was inevitable, then Mitt was inevitable, now they are on to McCain, you know, everybody I would come in fourth in Iowa,” Thompson said Sunday. “I didn't, I came in third. So steadily…we are getting to be exactly where we wanted to be at this point.”

South Carolina's Republicans head to the polls January 19.

–CNN’s Jessica Rummel and Rebecca Sinderbrand

Thompson campaign is looking to win big in the South.

(CNN) – Fred Thompson's campaign sent out a fundraising e-mail Friday that seems to gloss over the upcoming New Hampshire primary, and points to South Carolina's January 19 contest as "the next target in our sights."

The e-mail said South Carolina "has always been critical to our plan for victory" and claims that every penny raised "will go to South Carolina media."

Thompson ran a pair of TV ads in the state for several weeks last fall, but the campaign stopped airing them shortly before Christmas.

The former Tennessee senator, who consistently plays up his Southern roots while campaigning in the Palmetto State, has considered South Carolina a must-win since he officially entered the race last summer.

– CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby

Watch Thompson on American Morning Thursday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Just hours before Iowa voters went to the polls, Republican Fred Thompson denied new reports that he was planning to end his struggling presidential bid before the New Hampshire primary if he does not finish better than third in caucus voting this evening.

“Any speculation as to what I may or may not do is just totally that,” he told CNN’s John Roberts on American Morning Thursday. “It’s obvious that someone in the campaign thought it was to their advantage to put that out. I have never said that. I have never implied that in public or in private. You should take that for what it’s worth.”

The former Tennessee senator had previously predicted a showing in the top two or three, and said as recently as this week that he wanted to finish at least third in Iowa. The Thompson campaign has said that a strong showing in Iowa would help spark landslide support for the former actor in Southern states which vote later in the primary process.

But Thompson, who has faced criticism for his laid-back campaign style, told Roberts Thursday that “Nobody’s talking about any kind of a scenario past tonight. I mean you look and see and the whole world changes…you have to analyze the results and go from there.”

“But I’m not planning any pessimistic scenario. I think that we’ve got a great opportunity, it’s going to be better than a lot of the so-called experts think.”

Thompson is currently tied with John McCain for third place in most recent surveys of GOP caucus goers in Iowa, with 13 percent in the most recent CNN poll, released this week.

A fundraising drought — which forced him off the air in the Hawkeye State earlier this week — and lackluster poll numbers have kept him out of the race’s top tier in most early-voting states.

– CNN's Rebecca Sinderbrand

Thompson campaigns in Iowa Saturday. (Photo Credit: AP)

(CNN) – Republican Fred Thompson Sunday dismissed reports that he had told voters at a weekend campaign event he was “not particularly interested” in running for president, saying his remarks had been taken out of context.

The former Tennessee senator told CNN's Wolf Blitzer that "some in the media take bits and pieces, not you, but some have taken one sentence out of the middle of that and make it sound like something that wasn't intended."

"And if you notice, I put the emphasis on running. I said I'm not particularly interested in running for president," Thompson said in an interview on CNN's Late Edition.

"But then I gave all the reasons why I thought I'd make a good president and what I was sacrificing to be president and my family was doing so and I was concerned about the future of our country and the future of our children and so forth. So when you put it in context, it makes sense."

Thompson has long faced criticism he lacks motivation to be President of the United States, and Saturday’s comments seemed to spark new speculation on that front.

"I'm not particularly interested in running for president," the former senator told voters at a campaign event in Burlington, Iowa when challenged by an audience member over his desire to be commander-in-chief.

"But I think I'd make a good president," Thompson continued. "I have the background, capability, and concern to do this and I'm doing it for the right reasons."

Thompson took heat for not officially jumping into the White House race until September — significantly later than every other candidate — and has since been criticized for his laid-back campaign style and often-times light schedule.

But the former actor has criticized his rivals for launching their presidential bids months ahead of his, and continually touts the fact he hasn't harbored presidential ambitions his whole career.

"I am not consumed by personal ambition," Thompson also said Saturday. "I'm offering myself up."

"I'm only consumed by a few things and politics is not one of them."

But Thompson added the sacrifices he has made to run for president proves he wants the top job.

“To be clean, I had to cut everything off," he said. "I was doing speaking engagements and I had a contract to do a TV show, I had a contract with ABC Radio, like I was talking about earlier, and so forth. I guess a man would have to be a total fool to do all those things and to be leaving his family which is not a joyful thing at all if he didn't want to do it."

– CNN’s Rebecca Sinderbrand and Alexander Mooney

(CNN) – Republican Fred Thompson has long faced criticism he lacks motivation to be President of the United States, and the former Tennessee senator's latest comments Saturday may spark new criticism on that front.

"I'm not particularly interested in running for president," the former senator told voters at a campaign event in Burlington, Iowa when challenged by a an audience member over his desire to be commander-in-chief.

"But I think I'd make a good president," Thompson continued. "I have the background, capability, and concern to do this and I'm doing it for the right reasons."

Thompson took heat for not jumping into the White House race until September — significantly later than every other candidate — and has since been criticized for his laid-back campaign style and often-times light schedule.

But the former actor has criticized his rivals for launching their presidential bids months ahead of his, and continually touts the fact he hasn't harbored presidential ambitions his whole career.

"I am not consumed by personal ambition," Thompson also said Saturday. "I'm offering myself up."

"I'm only consumed by a few things and politics is not one of them."

But Thompson added the sacrifices he has made to run for president proves he wants the top job.

To be clean, I had to cut everything off," he said. "I was doing speaking engagements and I had a contract to do a TV show, I had a contract with ABC Radio, like I was talking about earlier, and so forth. I guess a man would have to be a total fool to do all those things and to be leaving his family which is not a joyful thing at all if he didn't want to do it."

Watch Thompson on CNN's American Morning Friday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Republican Fred Thompson seems to be raising his expectations in Iowa, telling CNN Friday he would not be happy with a third place finish there.

"I would not be satisfied with third, quite frankly. I think we can do better than that…that's why they play the game," Thompson told CNN's John Roberts. "The pollsters and the experts were wrong in Iowa in 1980, and they were wrong in 1988, and they were wrong in 1994, and the numbers show that a large number of folks in Iowa have not made up their mind."

Most recent polls place Thompson a distant third in the Hawkeye State, behind Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney. In a L.A. Times/Bloomberg poll released late Thursday, Thompson registered 10 percent among likely GOP caucus goers, compared to Huckabee's 36 percent and Romney's 28 percent.

Thompson is currently on a final campaign blitz of the state, although he recently pulled his television advertising there.

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney