Actor and former US Senator Fred Thompson was the keynote speaker as hundreds of Connecticut Republicans gathered for their annual fundraising dinner in Stamford.

Some conservatives are hoping the Tennessee Republican will join the race for the party's presidential nomination.

But Thompson avoided the issue Thursday night of a possible White House run and instead centered his message on core Republican values - less government and strong national defense. He said he wasn't at the dinner to make a pitch for himself, but came to support the Connecticut GOP.

About 600 guests attended the dinner. They paid between $250 and $1,000 for a chance to meet Thompson, who stars as prosecutor Arthur Branch in the popular NBC show ``Law and Order.''

Thompson's supporters say he is the only conservative in the mold of former President Ronald Reagan, who was also an actor.

Some conservatives are critical of candidates who have already declared, including Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney.

The Prescott Bush Awards Dinner is named for President Bush's grandfather, who was a US senator from Connecticut from 1952 to 1963.
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