THOMPSON GIVES THUMBS UP TO DOLE

Bob Dole's presidential campaign got a boost today when Tommy Thompson, who earlier this year had flirted with the idea of a presidential candidacy of his own, gave his endorsement to Dole. "I consider him as sort of the third senator from Wisconsin for all his support of agriculture, not only in Wisconsin but in the Midwest," Thompson said. The three-time Wisconsin governor became the 16th of 31 Republican governors to endorse Dole, and several other GOP governors are reportedly close to backing him, including Mississippi's Kirk Fordice. Just three governors have endorsed other candidates: George W. Bush of Texas and Fife Symington of Arizona have pledged to support Phil Gramm, while Tennessee governor Don Sundquist has endorsed Lamar Alexander.