U.S. Republican hopeful wants Iraq vote on troops

By John Poirier

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former Bush cabinet member Tommy Thompson said in announcing his presidential candidacy on Sunday that he would urge the Iraqi government to hold a vote on whether U.S. troops should stay.

"Nobody has ever asked that government, duly elected, to vote," Thompson, who has served as U.S. health and human services secretary and Wisconsin governor, said on ABC television's "This Week."

"And if they vote that they want the United States in their country, it immediately gives a degree of legitimacy," he said.

In declaring his White House bid on the show, Thompson said his presidency would be "tremendously" different from President George W. Bush's administration.

However, he said he agrees with Bush's plans to veto congressional legislation setting a timetable for a withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

Thompson joins a crowded field of Republicans seeking the presidency for 2008. Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Arizona Senator John McCain are among the 10 or so Republican hopefuls.

"I am the reliable conservative," Thompson said.

In November Thompson announced he would form an exploratory committee for a potential White House bid. He has said his experience as a former governor and cabinet member during Bush's first term would be valuable.