Self explanatory. Best example of a loser of this category for me is Thompson in 2012. Pretty popular as governor, was happy in retirement until the party begged him to run so he kinda half assed it. Any others, win or lose?
You've got the wrong Thompson. Tommy Thompson wasn't "happy" in retirement. He ran for President of the United States in 2008. That doesn't sound like someone who was happily in retirement.
The better example would be Fred Thompson who ran because he was seen as the conservative savior in 2008. Similarly, Wes Clark ran in 2004 because it seemed like he had a huge opening and could rocket to the top of the polls. Both those guys were so lazy and phlegmatic about campaigning that they clearly didn't want to be President all that much. It was more that they had the opportunity and just gave it a chance because it was too exciting to pass up.
But, the best example I can think of would be Walter Mondale running for Senate in 2002 as a replacement candidate.
