Blackburn defects to Thompson

And the Thompson juggernaut continues....

Would-be candidate Fred Thompson has stolen his first major backer away from one of the already-announced contenders.

After endorsing Mitt Romney in January, third-term Rep. Marsha Blackburn (TN) said in a statement today that she will get behind Thompson if he gets in he race. Romney had dubbed Blackburn a "senior adviser" when he announced her support.

In a statement released by the Draft effort, Blackburn made no mention of Romney but instead praised Thompson. She said she and her husband have known the former senator for 30 years and that he "literally lived two doors down from" them.

Blackburn joins the rest of Tennessee's GOP delegation in getting behind the Thompson effort.

Significant endorsement as Blackburn is superb.