On the move in the critical swing state of Missouri

Some recent endorsements here - showing that Fred Thompson not only plays to the south, but to the middle as well.

Move over Mitt and McCain. House Speaker Pro Tem Carl Bearden, R-St. Charles, has endorsed former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tennessee, for President of the United States...

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau announced today in an editorial that he will back former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson for the Republican presidential nomination.

[The Rest of the Story]

“I call on my fellow elected officials and other Missouri Republicans to join me in encouraging and supporting a Fred Thompson presidential candidacy by signing our petition,” [Missouri] Speaker Pro Tem Bearden said. “Fred Thompson possesses the character, the charisma, and the vision to win the White House and lead our great country.”

Missouri Lt. Gov Kinder believes Thompson's staunch conservatism and potential mainstream appeal as a movie star are reminiscent of former President Ronald Reagan. "Fred Thompson is the real deal, the closest thing to a natural we've had (or are likely to see) since Reagan," wrote Kinder in his editorial.

Courtesy of Columbia tribune Politics Blog

This is a key state in the general election - if you go back and read the analysis of any of the prior presidential elections since about 1960, you'll see that Missouri is considered a bellwether state. For Sen Thompson to be running well here without even declaring is very indicative of a viable national candidate.