Jon Huntsman withdrew from the presidential race with a brief statement–he took no questions–at the Myrtle Beach Convention, focus of most activity in the race today and site of the Fox News debate tonight.

On the way from Charleston to Myrtle Beach I was passed by the three-SUV Huntsman motorcade, and at a gas stop sources told me that Huntsman decided to leave the race several days ago and that it was a family decision. His failure to finish second in New Hampshire, thanks to Ron Paul, basically prevented him from getting a bounce in South Carolina or nationally. He called Mitt Romney to inform him of his endorsement yesterday.