ST. PAUL, Minnesota -- Fred Thompson, a former rival of John McCain’s, praised the Republican presidential candidate Tuesday as a man of integrity and a reformer who challenged Washington’s status quo.

The former Tennessee senator and actor said McCain has the “kind of character that civilizations from the beginning of history have sought in their leaders.”

Republicans released excerpts of Thompson’s remarks slated for Tuesday night.

Thompson, best known as the gruff district attorney on NBC’s “Law & Order,” dropped out of the presidential race in January after his much-anticipated campaign failed to gain strong support among conservatives.

After Monday’s opening session of the convention was abbreviated and stripped of political red meat in deference to Hurricane Gustav, Thompson’s prepared remarks indicated politics was back on the agenda, with the actor highlighting McCain’s status as a maverick.

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He said the Vietnam veteran has traveled to Iraq eight times since 2003 “seeking truth, not publicity.

“This man, John McCain, is not intimidated by what the polls say or what is politically safe or popular,” Thompson said.

McCain restored people’s faith in government by pushing for reform during his time in Washington, Thompson said.

“Confronting when necessary, reaching across the aisle when possible, John personified why we came to Washington in the first place,” Thompson said.