DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) - As Fred Thompson officially hits the campaign trail, he's making a pitch to conservative Republicans nervous that the 2008 presidential race could lead to a Democratic president - and even one named Clinton.
Thompson says he's the candidate who could prevent that from happening by campaigning on true conservative values.
"To my Republican friends, I point out that in 1992, we were down after a Clinton victory," Thompson said in a video announcement posted to his campaign Web site Thursday morning.
"In '94, our conservative principles led us to a comeback and majority control of the Congress. Now, you don't want to have to come back from another Clinton victory. Our country needs us to win next year, and I'm ready to lead that effort," he said.
Full story: Thompson: I can stop Hillary Clinton