Morning Buzz: Sept. 6, 2007

Opera star Luciano Pavarotti died this morning. The famous tenor had been diagnosed last year with pancreatic cancer and passed away at his home in Modena, Italy, surrounded by his wife, four daughters, sister, and other family members. He was 71.

And he's in. Former Tennessee senator and Law &Order actor Fred Thompson announced his candidacy for the presidency last night on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.  He also uploaded a video on his website  and YouTube giving his reasons for seeking the White House. 

The other eight GOP candidates took to the stage at the University of New Hampshire last night, where Rep. Ron Paul,  the lone antiwar candidate, sparred with the others on Iraq. The Republicans also poked fun at Thompson for skipping the debate in order to announce on Leno. "Maybe we're up past his bedtime," kidded Sen. John McCain.