Notes from the Campaign Trail (Updated)

*  The Politico reports that Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, introduced Fred Thompson at the secret meeting of the Council for National Policy this weekend.  Thompson reportedly spoke about the rule of law.  Here's an excerpt from the report: 

Thompson said his cues in public life come from the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

“They include a recognition of God and the fact there are certain rights that come from Him and not the government,” he said.

Actually, God isn't mentioned in the Constitution.  Thompson highlighted his role in counseling then-Supreme Court nominee John Roberts through the confirmation process.  Thompson said that that process was a reminder about "how desperate the liberal community is to keep the deck stacked in their favor."  And here's the lede from a story in today's Washington Times: "Several leading Christian conservatives say they will rally to former Sen. Fred Thompson, who they expect to announce 'in a matter of weeks' that he will seek the Republican nomination for president next year."  UPDATE:  A brief Hotline on Call report on Thompson's CNP appearance is here. 

ANOTHER UPDATE:  The text of Thompson's speech to the CNP is here.   

* John Edwards launched a new website called "Support the Troops. End the War."   It calls on citizens to volunteer, pray, and speak out on the war during the Memorial Day weekend.  (Via Election Central)

*  60 Minutes did a spot on Mitt Romney last night.  Among other things, Romney said: "What's at the heart of my faith is a belief that there's a creator, that we're all children of the same God, and that fundamentally the relationship you have with your spouse is important and eternal."   It's interesting that Romney would stress his belief that marriage is "eternal," given this common belief  among Christians.  And Romney's repeated reference to these Bible verses (Romney said: "And that, there's a great line in the Bible that children are an inheritance of the Lord and happy is he who has or hath his quiver full of them.") is notable given groups like this one.  The video of the 60 Minutes segment is here.

*  "Rudy Giuliani said Sunday that his selection of Supreme Court justices would not be based on their positions on abortion, as the Republican presidential contender worked to reaffirm his support for abortion rights."  The story is here.   (Via How Appealing.)