The Chattanooga Times Free Press has endorsed Fred Thompson for President even though Senator Thompson is still mulling a potential run.  In making the endorsement, the Free Press wrote:

It is significant that while there are many actively seeking the presidency of the United States, there is one outstanding individual who is not — but is being sought because he has demonstrated many unique qualities of sound principle, possesses wisdom gained from proved experience, has admirable qualities of character and has displayed a cooperative spirit of good will that could inspire a great majority of Americans to unify enthusiastically to elect him.

Prominent Missouri Republicans Peter Kinder (Lt Governor) and Carl Bearden (MO House Speaker Pro Tem) endorsed Fred for President over the weekend, reports the Hotline.

In his endorsement, Kinder wrote:

Listen carefully to Thompson as he fills-in these days for radio master Paul Harvey, and you’ll hear echoes of the great Reagan magic. (Reagan also turned to enormously effective radio commentary during his out-years ‘76-’80.) I smiled the other day as I heard Thompson conclude the Harvey show he’s been doing lately. Just a simple, “Let’s get together again tomorrow,” he gently urges his listeners, and the program is over.

What comes through is a genuine, Tennessee neighborliness you can’t fake. It’s also the kind of friendly discourse we speak in the border-state and Midwestern precincts I call home, where any candidate will need to prevail next year.

Fred Thompson is the man.

Regarding his endorsement, Bearden was quoted as saying:

“For 2008, Republicans are looking for strong, proven conservative leadership, and that’s why I urge Senator Fred Thompson to enter the presidential race,” Bearden said in a press release. “When you compare the field of candidates and potential candidates, Fred Thompson clearly stands out with his consistent conservative record and his unwavering Republican values.”