Dean makes a good point about Fred Thompson. His celebrity-status means he can probably spend less time begging for money, but it doesn't mean he can avoid asking for votes.
I'm not sure how the meme that Fred Thompson will try to avoid campaigning hard got out. As you may recall, his idea of campaigning "his way" was driving a red pickup truck across Tennessee. I think that would play well in Iowa and New Hampshire -- and it's not exactly slacking off ...