Hollywood Actor Thompson to Run for President

The likely last of the major Republican candidates to succeed George Bush last night announced his intention to run for the US presidency.

Fred Thompson, a former senator and Hollywood actor, made his declaration on NBC's Tonight Show with Jay Leno while the other eight candidates took part in a Fox-sponsored debate in New Hampshire.

"I'm running for president of the United States," Mr Thompson said on the chat show. "I decided it was time to step up."

The broadcasting of the show, pre-recorded before a live studio audience, followed the debate. Before it, Mr Thompson broadcast a campaign advertisement on the Fox News channel in an attempt to upstage his competitors.

The Republican candidates said they welcomed Mr Thompson's candidacy but criticized his decision not to take part in the New Hampshire debate. Mike Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, said he was scheduled to be on Jay Leno tonight "but I gave up my spot to somebody else because I'd rather be here in New Hampshire".

Mitt Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, poked fun at the time it had taken Mr Thompson to declare. The former senator had been expected to announce his intention to run as far back as July, if not before.

"The only question I have for Senator Thompson is, 'Why the hurry, why not take some more time off?'. Maybe even January, February might be a better time to make a final decision about getting into this race," he said.

Mr Thompson's recognition factor largely derives from his role as the district attorney Arthur Branch in the television series Law and Order.

He has appeal to Republicans who find the three leading candidates - Romney, Rudolph Giuliani and John McCain - insufficiently conservative, but the formal announcement of his candidacy has been pushed back amid staff shake-ups and questions about his work as a lobbyist.

The late entry leaves him behind his Republican rivals in fundraising, endorsements and organisation.

The New Hampshire debate - which took questions from moderators and voters - dwelt largely on the candidates' stance on illegal immigration and the progress of the US policy in Iraq.

The frontrunners expressed support for Mr Bush's troop "surge" and rejected calls for their quick withdrawal of US soldiers. Mr McCain said, "it is more than apparent it is working" and the alternative was "catastrophe and genocide in the region".

The most heated exchange of the night came between Mr Huckabee and the self-declared anti-war Republican Ron Paul.

The Texan congressman, who had earlier argued that a relaxation of gun control laws could have helped prevent the September 11 attacks, said the party had risked too much on Iraq.

"We're losing elections and we're going down next year if we don't change it," he said. Mr Huckabee replied: "Even if we lose elections, we should not lose our honor. And that is more important to the Republican party."

Mr Thompson is expected to participate in the next debate, scheduled for later this month in Maryland.