HE’S OUT

Says in a statement Tuesday: "I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort." Full statement here.   Didn't say whether he'll endorse. Adviser talks up his VP potential.   GOP consultant Mark Corallo: "He was a lackluster candidate who would have been a great president." Read TIME's Jay Newton's Small's take here.   Romney on Fox: Departure "is sad for those (of us) who were big fans of his... anyone would think that having Fred Thompson as a vice president is a good thing."