One has to give it to Fred Thompson. For a candidate the media dubbed "lazy" even before he entered the race -- because he didn't like the procedural nonsense of the Senate -- the media sure is fascinated with him, at least today. Here's a roundup of Fred Thompson stories floating around:

"Role of a Lifetime" (Emily Nunn, Chicago Tribune)

"Thompson Keeps it Short, Not So Sweet" (Joseph Curl, Washington Times)

"Senator Turned Actor Strolls Back On to Political Stage" (Tim Reid, Times of London)

But perhaps the big Thompson news today is that he discussed the Terri Schiavo case while in Florida, having earlier said he didn't know too much about it. (John Frank, St. Petersburg Times; Marc Santora, New York Times)

In Fresno, Hillary Clinton sees all. (Garance Burke, Associated Press)

The media continues its endless fascination with candidate spouses. (Lois Romano, Washington Post)

Don't answer that question. "Sometimes I ask myself, 'Am I whistling past the graveyard here?'" wondered Joe Biden, who isn't the only dark horse candidate betting it all on Iowa. (Christopher Cooper, Wall Street Journal)

The third rail. Iowans are noticing the candidates don't say much on gun control. (Jason Clayworth, Des Moines Register)

Pity poor John Edwards, who's trying to find his place in a field of "firsts." (Los Angeles Times)

A nice bio on Rick Davis, seemingly the one guy who survived the McCain summer meltdown. (Michael Cooper, New York Times)

And one on Joe Trippi, Edwards' guy in charge. (Chris Cillizza, Washington Post)

Barack Obama is all about ethics these days. (Shira Schoenberg, Concord Monitor) But someone should tell him that we don't bow to anyone in this country. (Associated Press)

Unfunny for a change. A new Bill Richardson ad is getting some play. (Associated Press)

The RNC has decided to get tough on those wayward primary states. (USA Today) Of course, with this delegate stuff sometimes a bit confusing, we could all use a refresher course. (Reid Wilson, Politics Nation)

Get these and today's other election stories at RCP's Politics and Election page.