Challenger To Barrasso Declares Intent [AUDIO]

There's a candidate throwing his hat in the ring for Sen. John Barrasso's U.S. Senate seat. Author and Lusk resident Thomas Bleming announced his intention to challenge Barrasso in 2012.

Bleming's curriculum vitae:

"I've spent the last 40 years traveling around the world. I've held about 150 different jobs. I am an international photo journalist and author; I've written two books. I've been involved in a lot of international intrigue. I fought in Asia, in Vietnam, an Army paratrooper. I've won the Silver Star. I'm a disabled veteran. I later on went and soldiered all over the world as a civilian. Some people say I'm a mercenary; I'd rather be termed a soldier of fortune."

The difference, says Bleming, is a mercenary doesn't care which side of a conflict he fights for, and Bleming said he has only fought for good causes. Mr. Bleming says he was inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement, which started a month ago with a dozen demonstrators.

Groundswell of political angst:

"In 982 cities across the United States, millions of people marching, in 81 countries, who would've thought a month later. The political landscape of this country is going to change, and it's going to change very very much insofar as the American people are going to be finally represented, and this is one of the things that I'm hoping to do."

Bleming acknowledges that Sen. Barrasso has a financial advantage because he's got corporate money behind him, and Bleming says he won't be accepting PAC money or corporate sponsorship.

Under corporate sway:

"John Barrasso, for one, is a corporate puppet. He's gotten a lot of money from corporations, and I don't plan to get, I don't plan to ask for nor accept corporate funding."