The other Thompson.

Enough about Fred Thompson. What about Tommy Thompson?

Tommy G. Thompson took a major step toward a presidential bid when he said Tuesday that he will formally announce his candidacy in several weeks, kicking off his campaign in Wisconsin and Iowa.

We need some Wisconsin in this thing. Russ backed out. So bring on the Tommy.

On the issues. First, he's got a plan for Iraq:

He'd have its 18 provinces set up their own governments. "Shiites would elect Shiites, Sunnis would elect Sunnis, Kurds would elect Kurds," he said.

He'd also divide up oil revenue among an Iraqi federal government, the territorial governments and its citizenry.

Second, he finesses abortions exactly like Romney and Giuliani:

"I am pro-life, and I think that's the way to be," he said.

Pressed by Blitzer about the issue of overturning Roe vs. Wade, Thompson responded that the real question is what he will look for if he were to appoint a new Supreme Court justice - and that's a "strict constitutionalist."

Typical Republican finessing of the gay marriage issue: leave it to the states.

So, what do you think? Does Tommy have a chance?