US:Saying he had no regrets, former Wisconsin governor Tommy Thompson has dropped out of the crowded race for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination after a poor showing in a straw poll in Iowa.
Mr Thompson (65) finished sixth in Saturday's nonbinding mock election. He had said he needed to finish in the top two to continue his campaign.
"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," he said.
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney won the Iowa straw poll, a traditional early gauge of support in the state that holds the first contest to nominate the contenders for the November 2008 presidential election. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee finished second.