Obama Focuses on Rural Policy

Democratic presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., and his wife Michelle embrace after she introduced him at a campaign event at the fairgrounds Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007 in Atlantic, Iowa. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green) (M. Spencer Green - AP)

Thompson's 1995 letter to abortion opponents pointed out that he voted for an amendment banning federal funding of abortions except in cases of rape, incest and when the mother's life is in danger.

That wasn't mentioned in his letter to abortion supporters, although it did say he opposed "the use of taxpayer funds to promote or perform abortions" and didn't believe health care workers should be pressured into performing abortions "against their personal convictions."

A staff-compiled list of Thompson's "record on abortion" cited seven pieces of legislation on which he worked to limit abortions in 1996 and none to support it.

An archive file on 1994 campaign issues contained this statement: "As your U.S. senator, I would oppose federal funding of abortions. Taxpayers' money should not be used for this activity. Also, I will support the state's right to impose reasonable restrictions such as waiting periods and parental notification. I do believe that the decision to have an early term abortion is a moral issue and should not be a legal one subject to the dictates of the government."

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) _ Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe will endorse Hillary Rodham Clinton, a former Arkansas first lady, next week in her bid for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination, sources said Friday.

Sources close to Clinton's campaign told The Associated Press that Beebe would make the announcement at an event Monday in the state Capitol. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid pre-empting Beebe's public announcement.

Clinton has already won the backing of top Democrats in Arkansas, where her husband Bill Clinton served 12 years as governor before beginning two terms as president in 1993.

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CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) _ The Republican Party's big spenders were thanked on Friday with a barbecue lunch with President Bush and first lady Laura Bush at a ranch neighboring the president's Texas home.

The event, which attracted 308 major donors from across the nation, was held under overcast skies that let go a few raindrops at Stan and Kathy Hickey's Broken Spoke Ranch, a 478-acre spread. Three protesters stood outside the entrance with signs that read: "Impeach," "Support Our Troops Bring them Home" and "No More Troops, No More $$."

The GOP contributors dined in air-conditioned tents on bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin and barbecue brisket, smoked turkey, St. Louis-style ribs and sausage. The meal, served family-style, also included black-eyed peas, okra and tomatoes, blue cheese mashed potatoes and blackberry and apple cobblers topped with ice cream.