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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Thompson joins White House race | Thompson joins White House race |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| Veteran Hollywood actor and ex-US Senator Fred Thompson has declared he will seek the Republican nomination for the 2008 presidential election. | Veteran Hollywood actor and ex-US Senator Fred Thompson has declared he will seek the Republican nomination for the 2008 presidential election. |
| "I'm running for president of the United States," he said in a taped appearance on a popular chat show, to be aired shortly. | |
| He joins eight declared Republican candidates, led by frontrunners Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney. | He joins eight declared Republican candidates, led by frontrunners Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney. |
| The move comes as the eight take part in a 90-minute televised debate. | |
| The BBC's Rajesh Mirchandani in Washington says Mr Thompson's announcement has been no surprise. | |
| He had long been expected to run and many think the former senator from Tennessee has a good chance of winning the Republican nomination. | |
| Straw poll | |
| Mr Thompson is known for having socially conservative views on issues like abortion and gun control and is a supporter of US troops in Iraq. | |
| But he is best known as an actor, our correspondent says . The 65-year-old has in fact played the president on screen. | |
| Campaigning for the November 2008 election is expected to gather pace in the coming months. | |
| The primary season, in which the parties in each state nominate their chosen candidate to run for president, will get under way in January. | The primary season, in which the parties in each state nominate their chosen candidate to run for president, will get under way in January. |
| Mr Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, is likely to want to build on his win in the Iowa straw poll in August, an indicator of strength in a crucial primary state. | Mr Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, is likely to want to build on his win in the Iowa straw poll in August, an indicator of strength in a crucial primary state. |
| Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who like Arizona senator John McCain chose not to take part in the straw poll, continues to lead national polls. | Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who like Arizona senator John McCain chose not to take part in the straw poll, continues to lead national polls. |
| Mr McCain was an early frontrunner, but his campaign faltered over the summer after disappointing fundraising figures and a shake-up of his operation. | Mr McCain was an early frontrunner, but his campaign faltered over the summer after disappointing fundraising figures and a shake-up of his operation. |