Frist Opts Out of Embarrassing Presidential Run

After a lackluster career in the United States Senate -- including an incorrect, remote "diagnosis" of Terri Schiavo's condition, when he dragged the Senate into that nonsense -- outgoing Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) announced today that he will not seek the presidency in 2008.

As the leader of one of the most do-nothing Senate sessions in U.S. history, Frist evidently decided that he had no political capital in his own party and elected to bow out now and stop any further speculation on his candidacy.

This announcement is a big gain for the Republicans -- one less massive tool in the GOP presidential toolbox -- and a huge loss to late-night comedians and Progressive bloggers.

And thus, Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) remains the Religious Right's favorite for 2008.