Tommy Thompson running for president

MILWAUKEE, April 4 (UPI) -- Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson officially is running for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination.

Thompson entered the race Wednesday during an appearance in a Milwaukee high school in which he positioned himself as a "reliable, common sense conservative," the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

In a speech pointed directly at Iowa, Thompson highlighted his Midwestern work ethic. "We don't just talk about solving problems, we get our job done in these parts," Thompson said.

The newspaper said political analysts consider Thompson a long shot in the GOP field.