The actor-turned-politician isn't "officially" running, but he sure acts like he is.

Thompson opened a campaign office this morning at the Fall School Building in downtown Nashville, and tonight he is partying with his friend Mike Curb, owner of Curb Records (home to LeAnn Rimes).

Even the New York Times' Caucus political blog took note.

He hasn't officially announced his run for president and insists the office space is another exploratory step.

Last Wednesday, in The Fred Thompson Report for ABC News, the former senator cited Washington Times' reporter Audrey Hudson's findings on CAIR's tax stubs saying, "The good news is that the financial support CAIR claims to have among American Muslims is a myth. We know this because The Washington Times got hold of the group's IRS tax records."

Rumor has it that he will formally enter the race next Tuesday.

This Fishwrapper searched for the location of Thompson's new building and found another complex, "Thompson Fred Reelection Campaign," almost a mile away from the new office's location. (See map here.)

-- Brandon Leonard, intern, The Washington Times