Kinder, Bearden endorse Thompson for president — breaking with Blunt/Talent
Actor and former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., has yet to announce whether he’ll run for president — but that hasn’t stopped two prominent Missouri pols from already signaling their support.
Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder announced in a Sunday editorial in the Southeast Missourian (first noted by Combest) that he’s backing Thompson, who Kinder lauds as “the real deal, the closest thing to a natural we’ve had (or are likely to see) since Reagan…”
State Rep. Carl Bearden, R-St. Charles and the No. 2 Republican in the state House, announced his support a day earlier.
In an email sent out early Saturday, Bearden praised Thompson and announced his plans to circulate a âDraft Thompson for President” petition. ( Bearden is telling people to email him at âdraft.thompson@carlbearden.org” and include their first and last name, as well as their hometown. Signatures will be added to the national Draft Thompson effort, Bearden said.)
âFor 2008, Republicans are looking for strong, proven conservative leadership, and that’s why I urge Senator Fred Thompson to enter the presidential race,” said Bearden, the House’s speaker pro tem.
âWhen you compare the field of candidates and potential candidates, Fred Thompson clearly stands out with his consistent conservative record and his unwavering Republican values,” he added. â…Fred Thompson possesses the character, the charisma, and the vision to win the White House and lead our great country.”
Such announcements by Kinder and Bearden signal that Gov. Matt Blunt and former Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo., haven’t locked the state up for their favored candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
Kinder’s declaration, in particular, could start a Republican stampede — if not for Thompson, perhaps for other Republican candidates, notably former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Some Missouri party activists have been whispering for months they weren’t going to join the Romney train, but few have said so publicly.
Kinder and Bearden’s announcements may change all that — and soon.
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One hopes that all the political parties have a real race. Republican party (like the democrats) are a big tent affair and their is more than one qualified canidate for the Oval Office.