Thompson At Iowa State Fair

Tennessean Fred Thompson made the rounds at the Iowa state fair over the weekend. The all-but-declared candidate for the presidential race mounted an Iowa soap box and told supporters that he thinks the country is ready for his message…

“I think the American people are gonna give us a shot. I think they’re gonna open the door and open their hearts and their minds to what we have to say, and to who we are.”

Thompson spoke about national security and said the US should stay the course in Iraq. He touted a pro-life position and warned of a looming financial crisis for the country. He also shrugged off suggestions that he’s missed his window of opportunity to enter the presidential race…

“A lot of people says it’s late and all that. I look at my history books. I see where people announce September, October and November, and things like that. I know all the rules have changed by all the Washington beltway pundits and all the politicians, but I wasn’t there when they made all those rules, so I’m not abiding by ‘em. And we’ve got plenty of time.(applause)”

Thompson’s campaign has suggested that he will declare his candidacy some time after Labor Day.

Click here to listen to an experpt from the speech.