Bauer calls for support of Thompson

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson's bid for the Republican presidential nomination got an added boost this week from social conservative leader Gary L. Bauer.

The Washington Times reported Saturday that Bauer has urged his supporters to back Thompson's electoral campaign due to the former Tennessee senator's stance on several key issues.

"I hope pro-family, pro-life Christians will continue to keep an open mind about Sen. Thompson's candidacy, even as we work with him to strengthen his stand on some key issues," Bauer said to his supporters in a recent e-mail.

While Bauer's comments do not represent a formal endorsement of the "Law & Order" actor, the political move was still criticized by Redeem the Vote Chairman Randy Brinson this week.

"The release of an implied endorsement of Sen. Thompson by Gary Bauer is totally against the spirit of the accord made by the majority of political active Christian conservative groups," Brinson said.

The Times said Brinson was referring to an agreement by top social conservatives to avoid publicly supporting a presidential hopeful until after Oct. 21.