Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback (news, bio, voting record) formally kicked off his bid for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination Saturday at a rally in Topeka by advocating what he calls a compassionate brand of conservatism.

This is hardly a new notion, as George W. Bush labeled himself a “compassionate conservative” during his 2000 campaign for a first term in the White House. But Brownback, a social conservative who opposes abortion, embryonic stem cell research and assisted suicide, made it clear that his view of compassion extends to these issues.

“Something most people feel deeply in their hearts is the need for a culture of life — a culture that doesn’t allow the strong to exploit the weak — a culture of compassion instead of a culture of convenience,” Brownback said. “Life is beautiful. We all know this. Let’s start following our hearts and work to protect all innocent human life.”

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