Gilmore Exploring Presidential Run

Former Virginia Republican Governor, Jim Gilmore, will explore a 2008 presidential bid.

Decrying the lack of a true conservative among the potential Republican candidates, Gilmore said he will form an exploratory committee in January:

"There is not a committed conservative in the field who can put together a national campaign. I am and I can. I have people on the ground right now in Iowa and in South Carolina," Gilmore, 57, said in a telephone interview from New York.

His comments were directed not only at others preparing for a GOP presidential run, including Sen. John McCain of Arizona, former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and departing Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. It's also yet another of his many slaps at lavish federal spending by the current Republican administration and Congress.

"I am not someone who has to evolve as a conservative. I don't have to evolve my position," he said.

Gilmore headed a Congressional commission to investigate the threat posed by terrorism. Gilmore continues to speak about the nation's readiness for terrorist attacks and major disasters. He formed a nonprofit organization, the National Council on Readiness and Preparedness, to continue his preparedness work.

With Gilmore, there are again 24 potential 2008 presidential candidates.