Des Moines Register - Thompson Tells Fairgoers He'll be in Iowa Often

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Des Moines Register - Thompson Tells Fairgoers He'll be in Iowa Often

Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson took his first, long leisurely strides into the leadoff presidential caucus state today, when the actor-politician waded into the crowd at the Iowa State Fair.

Thompson telegraphed, while sitting in the WHO Radio studio at the fairground's as the guest of Jan Mickelson, that he would make a campaign announcement "in a few weeks," and told fans who greeted him he would be in Iowa often.

"Fred, you better declare," Boone Republican Pat Firnhaber shouted, as Thompson made his first public appearance as a presidential prospect in Iowa around 11 a.m.

"Keep your powder dry," the tall, balding Southerner replied.

Although Thompson has been the most visible non-candidate in the busy 2008 GOP field, evidence of an emerging Thompson campaign appeared at the fair. Aides to the former senator, who has formed a committee to weigh running, wore nametags printed with the logo, "I'm with Fred." Buttons with the same logo were pinned to the T-shirts of some of the supporters who greeted Thompson after his 15-minute interview on Mickelson's statewide radio show.

Mickelson asked the recognizable television actor about his judicial philosophy. As the former senator who helped guide John Roberts through the Supreme Court confirmation process two years ago, Thompson, a longtime private practice and government lawyer said, "I got a refresher course in some things."

"One of the big problems has been the Supreme Court have gotten up on a particular side of the bed in the morning wanting to change social policy because of their view of changes in society," he said. "That's the wrong way to go."

Thompson's schedule includes private meetings with GOP leaders, although most of his time on the one-day Iowa swing will be consumed by an afternoon at the fair, including a 1:20 appearance at The Des Moines Register's political soapbox.

"I was impressed," said State Rep. Jamie Van Fossen, a Davenport Republican

among 60 Republicans who met privately with him in the morning. "He was folksy and down-to-earth."

During the radio interview, Mickelson asked Thompson if being an actor was an advantage in politics.

"Anything that gets you up in front of the people helps," he said, before he quickly quipped, "The good thing about acting: You get another take."

Thompson is scheduled to tour the fair in the afternoon and host a reception before leaving Iowa this afternoon.

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