D-day for Tommy Thompson

By Rick Pearson

AMES, Iowa—Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson exhorted supporters to vote for him in today's Iowa Straw Poll, delivering an address tinged with melancholy 'thank yous" as his presidential campaign faced decision day.

"I love you, I thank you and we had a great ride, ladies and gentlemen," Thompson told his motorcycle-riding backers who rode Milwaukee-made Harley-Davidson's into the straw poll grounds at Iowa State University.

Thompson has said that unless he finishes in the top two in the straw poll balloting, he's ending his run for the White House.

"Today's our day. Today's the beginning of really, the travel to the White House, and I need each and everyone of your support," Thompson told a couple of hundred people beneath a tent at the edge of the straw poll grounds. "I thank you and I love you and I want you to vote today and if they give you two ballots, I won't look."

Thompson said the straw poll was "a tremendous opportunity to show the country that Iowa--not the political punsters, the political pundits in Washington--make the selection. You make the selection and let's make it happen."

"I think he'll make a very respectable showing," said Patricia Hackett, a volunteer helping the Thompson effort from Madison, Wis. "I think he'd be open to a (vice presidential) bid from one of the other candidates.

Hackett, however, said it was too early for her to decide on another presidential contender if Thompson bows out after the straw poll. But, she said, it's unlikely she'll be backing another former governor in the race.

"I was not impressed by Mitt Romney," Hackett said. "I think he's a lot of spit and polish and flash."