GOP Leadership Moving to back Thompson

Robert Novak reports that Fred Thompson’s progress toward becoming a Republican presidential candidate will take a step with the return of Congress from its Easter break when he meets privately with a large group of Republican House members. They had been moving toward support of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, led by former Speaker Dennis Hastert’s endorsement of Romney. But many have stepped back from Romney and are looking hard at Thompson. One member of the GOP leadership who had been prepared to endorse Romney is holding his fire while he considers Thompson.

Chattanooga Times Free Press Endorses Fred

Fred Thompson has not yet said if he is a presidential candidate, but a Chattanooga editorial page has joined a "draft Fred" movement with an endorsement of the actor and attorney 19 months before the election.