Tommy Thompson in '08?

Wisconsin's former governor is entertaining a run at the GOP slot for President in '08:

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, who served as Health and Human Services Secretary in President Bush's first term, said Wednesday he intends to form a committee to explore a possible run for the White House in 2008.

"I intend to do so after the first of the year," the Republican said in reference to establishing an exploratory committee.

Thompson made the comments in Iowa, where he met with about 100 members of a group called Iowans for Wellness and Prevention. The state holds the first votes of the presidential nominating process.

Thompson, who will turn 65 on Sunday, spent nearly four decades in politics and government, including 14 years as governor. He resigned as HHS secretary in December 2004 shortly after Bush won a second term. His tenure at HHS was marked by anthrax attacks, a flu vaccine shortage and passage of the Medicare prescription law.

Having lived in Wisconsin during the Thompson administration, I can say that he was a successful governor that garnered votes from both sides of the political spectrum.

The main reservation with Thompson is that he is by and large a "big government" republican. For my personal druthers, I'm ready for another Reagan conservative.