Thompson tests conservative waters

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CORRECTION: This article incorrectly reported the circumstances of a phone call from former Sen. Fred Thompson and his wife about the possible launch of a presidential campaign. The call was received by Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, who said, "No date or time frame was mentioned."

The same article also misstated the predictions of Richard Land, the president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, about a possible Thompson candidacy. While Mr. Land said Mr. Thompson would be "odds-on favorite" to win the Republican nomination, he did not say the Tennessee ex-senator was sure to win the presidency.

Evidence of former Sen. Fred Thompson's presidential appeal to victory-seeking conservatives is growing, including drawing more than 50 House Republicans yesterday to hear his pitch and walking out with some endorsements for the Tennessean.

"When Fred Thompson runs for president, I will endorse him," said Rep. Jeff Miller of Florida.

Rep. Dan Burton of Indiana said Mr. Thompson "is ready, and I want him to run."

Richard Land, one of the nation's leading Southern Baptists, told The Washington Times yesterday that Mr. Thompson is sure to win if he runs.

The actor-politician has invited Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder to attend any announcement of a presidential candidacy.

"If Fred Thompson enters the race, he will be the odds-on favorite to become the nominee," said Mr. Land, president of the South Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. "He will be a formidable candidate in the general election for the presidency."

Mr. Kinder, a staunch supporter of the Iraq war, noted that "Thompson won both his U.S. Senate races by more than 20 percentage points in a state that Bill Clinton carried twice."