This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6980174.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Thompson joins White House race Thompson joins White House race
(40 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."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 move comes as the eight take part in a 90-minute televised debate.
The Iraq war and illegal immigration were expected to be among the issues raised in the debate, held in the key election state of New Hampshire.The Iraq war and illegal immigration were expected to be among the issues raised in the debate, held in the key election state of New Hampshire.
Straw poll Sarcasm
Mr Thompson made the widely-anticipated announcement during a taped appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Mr Thompson made the widely anticipated announcement during a taped appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
The BBC's Rajesh Mirchandani in Washington says many think the former senator from Tennessee has a good chance of winning the Republican nomination. I was scheduled to be on Jay Leno tonight, but I gave up my spot to somebody else because I'd rather be here in New Hampshire Former Arkansas governor, Mike Huckabee
The declared candidates have now taken part in several debates The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says the former senator from Tennessee is enormously popular on the right of the party where he is seen as a new Ronald Reagan.
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. He is known for his conservative views on issues like abortion and gun control.
But he is best known as an actor, our correspondent says. The 65-year-old has in fact played the president on screen. But the 65-year-old is probably best known as an actor.
He currently plays the district attorney in the popular TV series Law and Order. He has played the president on screen, and is currently the district attorney in the popular TV series Law and Order.
As the New Hampshire debate began, Mr Thompson's Republican rivals were sarcastic about his late entry into the race.
"The only question I have for Senator Thompson is 'Why the hurry, why not take some more time off", Mr Romney said.
"Maybe even January, February might be a better time to make a final decision about getting into this race."
Rudy Giuliani (L) and Mitt Romney are among the frontrunnersAnother candidate, Mike Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, said: "I was scheduled to be on Jay Leno tonight, but I gave up my spot to somebody else because I'd rather be here in New Hampshire."
Campaigning for the November 2008 election is expected to gather pace in the coming months.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.