It’s official.  Fred! is in.

Thompson announces ’08 bid, Hollywood-style

Actor makes long-awaited declaration on taped ‘Tonight Show’ appearance

Fred Thompson — veteran actor, former Republican senator — launched his bid for the presidency Hollywood style.

“I’m running for president of the United States,” Thompson told Jay Leno in a taped appearance on NBC television’s “Tonight Show” airing Wednesday.

Thompson also will announce his candidacy in a 15-minute Webcast set to air at midnight, around the same time that he will be seen on the “Tonight Show.”

Now this bit takes some serious attitutude:

He is to call attention to his bid hours earlier with a 30-second ad during the eight-man Republican debate in New Hampshire that he is skipping.

“On the next president’s watch, our country will make decisions that will affect our lives and our families far into the future. We can’t allow ourselves to become a weaker, less prosperous and more divided nation,” Thompson says in the ad that will air on Fox News.

Hehe.