Republican

Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson on Sunday joined the crowded field of Republicans running for the White House in 2008 and proclaimed himself the “reliable conservative” in the race.

Thompson, who was health and human services secretary during President Bush’s first term, also said he is the only GOP candidate who has helped assemble both a state and federal budget.

Since announcing last year he was forming a presidential exploratory committee to raise money and gauge support, Thompson has lagged behind better-known rivals.

Rupert Murdoch, , who controls global media conglomerate News Corp, wants Republican foreign policy hardliner Newt Gingrich to run for president next year, saying the former house Speaker would lend important gravitas to the campaign.

The News Corporation chairman and chief executive also wants (former Democrat) New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg to run, saying his brand of “clean and efficient government” would be good for the US.

But Mr Murdoch was ambiguous about Hillary Clinton, describing the New York senator and Democratic frontrunner as a “very intelligent, very considerable lady” but also “very calculating” and “divisive”.

His comments came during an interview with Business Week editor Steve Adler in New York. When Adler said he did not have a clear picture of how Mr Murdoch regarded Senator Clinton, the media baron said: “Nor do I.”

Pressed about a fundraising breakfast he hosted for her last year, Mr Murdoch said he did so on the advice of a colleague. He was not supporting the former first lady’s presidential bid but avoided giving an answer when asked if that could change.

Mr Murdoch said Mr Gingrich’s ideas would liven up the presidential race. “I think he would lift the debate,” he said. “He would make all the primaries a lot more serious.”

Murdoch also called Mr Bloomberg a “genuine public servant” and said he would poll well on the east and west coasts.

-Reported by David Nason, New York correspondent

The headline on a pro-life website muddles the conundrum: Rudy Giuliani Says He Backs Pro-Life Laws But Supports Legal Abortion.

“I think you have to have a judicial bypass. If you do, you can have parental notification,” he said.

Will these concessions and apparent flip-flop on partial-birth abortion be enough to gain the support of pro-life advocates?

Connie Mackey, senior vice president of the legislative arm of the Family Research Council says no.

There are some who say, ‘Well, all we need from Giuliani, for instance, is a promise that he’ll put in a judge that will be a good constitutionalist,’” she told Congressional Quarterly on Friday. “And we would disagree with that.”

Tony Perkins, the president of the Family Research Council, was more blunt.

He says he thinks Giuliani is too pro-abortion to deserve support form the overwhelming majority of Republican voters who are pro-life. Perkins also says he doesn’t think he will be able to capture the party’s nod. Should Giuliani get the party’s nod for president, Perkins said it would likely hand the White House over to the Democratic candidate because pro-life voters would have no one to support.

The last several elections have been between pro-life Republican and pro-abortion Democratic candidates and a Giuliani nomination would change that dynamic.

“If by some chance Giuliani were to gain the Republican nomination it would set up a very similar scenario that we had last November,” Perkins told CBN. “An unenthusiastic Republican base which will suppress turnout and set up a Democratic victory.”

Republican voters have previously turned away pro-abortion candidates from capturing the primary nod, including former California Gov. Pete Wilson and Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter. Republicans haven’t had a pro-abortion nominee since Gerald Ford in 1976.

Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney are the top two candidates in the polls apart from Giuliani.

Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee are also running and drawing significant support from the pro-life community.

Other potential Republican candidates include pro-life former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, pro-life Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, pro-life Reps. Duncan Hunter of California and Tom Tancredo of Colorado, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, and former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson.