News and Notes: Presidential Contenders

Newsy bits about some of those angling to sit behind the desk in the Oval Office:

Fred Thompson (R-TN) - Chris Cillizza reports that a Thompson candidacy looks increasingly likely as another Washington insider, this time former FEC Chair Michael Toner, has been brought into the camp. An AP story just out says much the same.

Hillary Clinton (D-NY) - The Democratic front runner will hold a 12:15 pm ET press conference with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) to announce an amendment to the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2007 that would remove barriers to reunification for spouses and minor children of lawful permanent residents.

Mitt Romney (R-MA) - Watch the former Massachusetts governor's new TV ad, to run in New Hampshire and Iowa, here. Called "Tested, Proven," the ad boasts that Romney stood up to liberals (picturing Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) and former Gov. Michael Dukakis (D-MA)) in the most liberal state in the nation.

John Edwards (D-NC) - The Edwards campaign promises a "muscular speech" on terrorism and the use of military force by the U.S. today at Council of Foreign Relations in New York City. And this news bit is hard to figure - the Edwards campaign has confirmed an expanded ad buy in Oregon. Oregon?