Brownback Jumps Into Presidential Race

ABC News’ Teddy Davis Reports: As forecast in ABC News’ The Note earlier today, Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) has announced that he is forming a presidential exploratory committee.

"He is someone who is capable of reuniting the Reagan coalition," David Kensinger, Brownback’s former chief of staff, told ABC News. "He is a principled conservative who understands like Reagan did that conservatism is strongest when it has a smile on its face, when it is welcoming and optimistic and inclusive." 

In announcing the formation of his presidential exploratory committee today, Brownback said "issues of life," fiscal restraint, and tax reforms would be core components of his presidential bid.

"I have decided, after much prayerful consideration, to consider a bid for the Republican nomination for the presidency," Brownback said in a statement released by his office. "There is a real need in our country to rebuild the family and renew our culture and there is a need for genuine conservatism and real compassion in the national discussion."

The Iowa Republican caucuses loom large in Brownback’s 2008 strategy.

Although he starts behind Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA) when it comes to tapping donors and signing up political operatives, the Kansas Republican is hoping that his pro-life views will catch fire in the Hawkeye State.

"Iowa is a great fit for him," said Kensinger. "It’s a good fit geographically. It’s a good fit culturally. It’s somewhere where he would be positioned to do very well; it’s somewhere where he needs to do well."

Now that he has filed his paperwork with the Federal Election Commission, Brownback is expected to open an office in Alexandria, VA which will be staffed by his current chief of staff, a fundraiser, and a grassroots specialist. He will then move his full operation to Kansas in January in time for his more formal announcement of candidacy.