Thompson touts conservative credentials in Iowa

Former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) sounded the part of a presidential candidate when he visited Iowa Friday to tout his record as a true conservative.

{mosads}“I am unabashedly pro-life. I am pro-Second Amendment. And I don't apologize for the United States of America,” Thompson, who is expected to declare his candidacy officially after Labor Day, told his audience in Des Moines. “If things play out the way I’ve got in mind, we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other.”

The “Law & Order” star said the birth of his children played a key role in his decision to test the waters for a presidential run.

“I have thought about the kind of world and the kind of country that these kids and your kids and our grandkids are going to grow up in,” he said. “I think the American people are going to give us a shot. I think they’re going to open the door and open their hearts and their minds to what we have to say and to who we are.”

Thompson said he is not worried about joining the race late, saying there is plenty of time for him to succeed in Iowa and beyond.

The likely candidate lamented the many problems in Washington and said his solution to them lies in cutting taxes and reducing the size of government.

It is this kind of rhetoric that he hopes will convince the GOP base that he is the true conservative candidate they have been holding out for in this campaign.