DES MOINES, Iowa -- Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson promised on Wednesday to become a familiar face in Iowa in his quest for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination.

He told The Associated Press at Des Moines that he'd be in that state every week, at least one day.

Thompson said that he'd develop a field organization and a grassroots campaign like "you haven't seen before."

Thompson was in Iowa to meet privately with key activists. He said that he's betting heavily on his showing in a straw poll of Iowa Republicans in August and the state's leadoff precinct caucuses in January 2008.

He concedes that he doesn't have the fundraising clout of better known GOP rivals such as U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona. But, he said, money shouldn't be a problem.

Thompson said that he'll stress his status as a neighbor to Iowa.

He said that he describes himself as a grassroots conservative, but his experience as a former U.S. secretary of health and human services gives him a background in crucial issues such as health care and welfare reform.