The Tommy Train Heads National

It appears Tommy Thompson is taking the first steps toward running for president in 2008 by planning to form an exploratory committee after January 1.

I, for one, welcome Thompson into the race on the GOP side. Not because I think he'll win or because I want to see him lose, but because he plans to make health care an issue in the race. This will, in turn, force the other GOP contenders to at least formulate and articulate a position on it, as well.

It's already a given that health care will be an issue in the nomination battle on the left, but without someone like Thompson, there's no guarantee the same would be true on the right.