Republican Fred Thompson to announce his candidacy for president

Republican Fred Thompson, whose entry into the 2008 presidential race has been long anticipated, will officially launch his candidacy Sept. 6 in a webcast on his campaign site, followed by a five-day tour of early primary states, the Associated Press has learned.

The campaign of the former Tennessee senator and "Law & Order" actor is to disclose details about how he will formally enter the race in an afternoon conference call. A tour of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina will quickly follow the Internet announcement, with stops in Florida as well, and a homecoming event in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. On Sept. 15. (AP)