Without raising a single campaign dollar or giving a single stump speech, Thompson threatens to knock one or more of the 2008 candidates out of the top tier — and his 6-foot 6-inch frame will crowd out long-shot candidates who hope to emerge as the choice of social conservatives.

Thompson is moving toward announcing his candidacy in early July, according to two Republicans close to Thompson.

He plans to file paperwork June 4 with the Federal Election Commission that will allow him to begin raising money for a potential bid, and associates say he wants to start his campaign with a fundraising splash that will demonstrate his status as a viable candidate.

-Ashley

-Posted by ???

Obama’s first promise as a presidential candidate was that he would sign a universal health care plan into law by the end of his firm term in the White House.

-Ben

The U.S. Secret Service expects to borrow more than 2,000 immigration officers and federal airport screeners next year to help guard an ever-expanding field of presidential candidates, while shifting 250 of its own agents from investigations to security details.

I had not previously realized that potential presidents needed that much protection–especially from the secret service–before being elected.

Its $110 million-plus budget for campaign protection — two-thirds more than the record $65 million it spent for the 2004 election — was prepared when the service did not expect to be guarding Obama or anyone else until January.

-Ashley

-Ben

-Colleen

-Matt

-Matt

-Mineko

-Mineko