The talk of former Senator and Law and Order star Fred Thompson joining the 2008 presidential race have moved from rumors to serious speculation. Bill Frist and a small handful of congressman are lobbying hard for Thompson to run. Poll numbers indicate that in the scattered and weak Republican field there is still ample room for another serious contender to emerge. After Thompson went on Fox News a few weeks ago and said he is considering a run, his poll number shot through the roof...

USA Today/ Gallup Poll, Republican Predential Primary:
(Republicans and Republican-leaning Independents)

	2007 Mar 23-25	2007 Mar 2-4	2007 Feb 9-11	2007 Jan 12-14
Rudy Giuliani	31	44	40	31
John McCain	22	20	24	27
Fred Thompson	12	N/A	N/A	N/A
Newt Gingrich	8	9	9	10
Sam Brownback	3	1	3	1
Mitt Romney	3	8	5	7
Tommy Thompson	2	2	2	2

If I were Fred Thompson looking at those numbers right now, I don't see how I couldn't give it a shot. My guess is he'll start making moves towards a run, start an exploratory committee, and formally announce sometime during the summer or fall.