In the words of Alison Kasic:

clicky

UPDATE: Zach Wamp is rounding up conservative house colleagues to endorse Thompson…

Another story:

NASHVILLE (AP) — Current and former members of Congress are working in Washington to drum up support for a presidential bid by former Republican Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee.

Former Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker has been talking with senators, while Rep. Zach Wamp of Chattanooga said he has been talking to colleagues in the House.

Thompson, 64, declined to seek re-election to the Senate in 2002 and currently plays the role of the district attorney on NBC’s “Law and Order.”

He hasn’t made any public statements about running for office. A message left Friday with Thompson’s Nashville office was not immediately returned.

“It’s something I hope happens,” Wamp said Friday. “We need that kind of star quality, but most importantly we need his strength and resolve.”

Wamp said he asked Thompson to consider running immediately after former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, another Tennessee Republican, decided not to run for president.

“I think he has an open mind, and he sees the need,” Wamp said.