MADISON, Wis. -- Ex-Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson ended months of speculation on Sunday by formally announcing that he's running for president.

Thompson, 65, made the announcement while making the rounds on the Sunday morning talk-show circuit, WISC-TV reported.

"I think my record shows that I'm reliable," said Thompson. "First off, you know, I have been. I'm the only one who has put together a state budget and a federal budget. And I've put together state budgets for 14 years, all of which were balanced, and all of which did not have an income tax or a sales tax increase."

While he admits he doesn't have the name recognition of some of his opponents, Thompson called himself the "reliable conservative" in the race.

The former governor and former secretary of Health and Human Services said that he's focused on his campaign strategy in Iowa, which hosts the nation's first presidential caucuses.

Thompson said he's optimistic about his prospects in Iowa despite receiving single-digit polling.

"In Iowa the polls last week came out that I was in fifth place and moving up at 5 percent," said Thompson. "So I'm telling you, things are started to coalesce and I feel very, very optimistic about my future."

Thompson also said he plans to offer a different strategy for Iraq.

He said that he would demand the Iraqi government vote on keeping the U.S. troops in the country.

Thompson added that if the answer was no, he would get them out.