Like this wasn’t the biggest, most predictable political move in the last few months! Former Senator turned actor Fred Thompson has officially entered the Presidential race for the Republican party. Thompson entered the race from the set of The Tonight Show in what has to be a nod to the successful Gubernatorial campaign of Arnold Schwarzenegger (launched from the very same seat).

Whether that was Thompson’s purpose of announcing or not, I hope that a new person in these debates can help liven things up a bit. Frankly, the best parts of the Republican debates so far have been watching the candidates beat up Ron Paul and watching Ron Paul fire back with solid Constitutional fundamentals. You have to hand it to Paul with what he’s doing. We all know that Paul is a Libertarian at heart and that the Libertarian Party is too small to get any major media coverage. By running as a Republican, Ron Paul is bringing his ideological base to the forefront of many post-debate discussions. Frankly, it’s genius.

Sure, he’ll never get the nomination and he’s not even going to rise up the rankings, but he is exposing a point of view that you would normally not hear on a Republican dais.

Anyway, Thompson is now in the race and he’s got some decent videos up on his election website (Fred08.com). You may want to check out the video on federalism - it’s a quick, great perspective on how this country’s government was originally structured.

I wonder if anyone will come out of the woodwork for the Democrats now. Al Gore has had his name thrown around as has Wesley Clark, but I doubt either will run. Anyone know of anyone else that may come out for the Democrats?

And what about the 3rd Parties? What role will they play in the coming election? It’s going to be great political theater to watch!