Kinder backs Thompson for presidential nomination

~ Former Republican senator Fred Thompson of Tennessee has not formally announced his candidacy.

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau announced today in an editorial (see Page 7A) that he will back former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson for the Republican presidential nomination.

Thompson, 65, who retired from the Senate in 2002 after only one full term, has not formally announced his candidacy. But even without Thompson's approval, a campaign to bring him into the race is gaining steam. A Web site, fred08.com, encourages supporters to "draft Fred Thompson" for a run at the presidency.

The Web site reports more than 500 people daily are sending e-mails encouraging Thompson to join the race.

Thompson is perhaps best known by the public for his acting career. He has played a district attorney on NBC's "Law and Order" for six years running. He also played a rear admiral in the Cold War-era submarine thriller "The Hunt for Red October" in 1990 and even portrayed the president of the United States in the 2005 film "Last Best Chance."

Thompson is becoming popular among conservatives, whose support of the former senator is widely seen as a backlash against presumptive front-runners former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Arizona Sen. John McCain. All of the men are seen by some factions of the party as lacking conservative bona fides.

Thompson, however, is staunchly pro-life, anti-gun control and anti-gay-marriage. He has openly stated he would pardon former vice presidential aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby if he were president.

Kinder believes Thompson's staunch conservatism and potential mainstream appeal as a movie star are reminiscent of former President Ronald Reagan.

"Fred Thompson is the real deal, the closest thing to a natural we've had (or are likely to see) since Reagan," wrote Kinder in his editorial.

Kinder's endorsement is at odds with Gov. Matt Blunt, who is actively supporting Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's candidacy.

tgreaney@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245