LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) _ Former US Senator Howard Baker presented the Dole Leadership Award in Lawrence last night.

Baker told a crowd at the Lied Center that political dialogue needs a little more humor like what former Kansas Senator Bob Dole used to disarm critics and amuse supporters.

The Dole Leadership Award is presented annually to someone who promotes politics as an honorable profession. Baker was also a presidential candidate and President Ronald Reagan's chief of staff.

Baker told a University of Kansas crowd of about 750 that it's too early for anyone to really know how the 2008 campaign will unfold.

Baker says he's trying to get former Senator Fred Thompson from his home state of Tennessee to run for president in 2008. Kassebaum Baker's choice is John McCain.