The online political news service National Journal Hotline is reporting this morning that outgoing Tennessee Sen. Bill Frist will not be running for President of the United States in 2008.

To see the brief article in NJH, click here.

As NashvillePost.com reported yesterday, early beauty-contest polling has given the heart surgeon-turned-senator little cause for optimism about his chances in the race.

[Update, 11:00 a.m.:]

Frist confirmed the report this morning, releasing a statement that said in part:

"In the Bible, God tells us for everything there is a season, and for me, for now, this season of being an elected official has come to a close. I do not intend to run for president in 2008.

"Karyn and I will take a sabbatical from public life. At this point a return to private life will allow me to return to my professional roots as a healer and to refocus my creative energies on innovative solutions to seemingly insurmountable challenges Americans face."

Beyond continuing his practice of undertaking medical mission trips to the developing world, Frist did not specify what his future plans may be, though he pledged to "stay actively engaged in policy issues affecting the lives of Americans." He also left open the possiblity of a return to regular medical practice.