DES MOINES, Iowa — A lot of people didn't notice him as he slipped into the back of a diner in Newton, Iowa. But it was clear the man in the black hat and shiny velvet coat was not your usual backer of Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson. John Rich, half of the rockin' country duo "Big & Rich," joined the former Tennessee senator stumping across central Iowa on Monday.
He told us this was all his idea. At age 33, he had never lifted a finger in politics. But he made a whole bunch of phone calls trying to volunteer his services because, well, he's sick of music-industry folks and Hollywood types from the other side of the political divide getting all the attention
Said Rich: "Fred is the only consistent conservative in this entire race, and it really has bothered me over the years that the only entertainers I ever hear really barking loud about a candidate were always on the left. I never hear anybody barking about a conservative candidate — ever — not in my recollection. I can't remember one that really stepped up for anybody big-time on the conservative side."
