Posted on 08/03/2007 8:13:33 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
One Friday afternoon last month, Jeri Kehn Thompson took attendance at the testing-the-waters presidential campaign headquarters of her husband, Fred D. Thompson. Mrs. Thompson checked to see which staff members were working at their desks, said a Republican close to the campaign, and went on to chide those who were A.W.O.L.
The spot-check is just one of many indications that Mrs. Thompson, a former political consultant herself, is taking an active, hands-on role in the effort to propel Mr. Thompson, a former Tennessee senator, into a presidential candidacy.
Admirers say the role makes sense, not only because of her background working in political campaigns but also because there were things that were not being done properly that needed to be corrected. Detractors say that her role has caused friction within the campaign and that she was the reason several top aides resigned last week.
What is not in dispute is that Mrs. Thompson is playing a central role in the nascent campaign, involved in everything, including her husbands travel schedule, fund-raising focus and staffing decisions.
She thinks, and I agree with her, that she should have a very integral role right now, said one close friend and an adviser to the campaign. She also has a keen understanding of competence and incompetence, and when you point out to people that things are not going as they should, people say you have sharp elbows.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Right. I think this is a mistake even though it’s an article by the NY Slimes to make her seem so powerful. We sure don’t want another Bill/Hill. And Fred’s wife should be smart enough, if this is really the case; to atleast butt out.
You GOT it!
LOL
Sorry, didn't realize the "ick" factor was so high.
Of course I got it. I have four children. :p
LOL! Bigger than Nancy Reagan but better than Beth (Mrs. Dog) Chapman.
I agree with your..that was my first reaction. I don’t have a problem with the wife of a candidate helping, as in the style of Laura Busy but me thinks Mrs. T has ideas of grandure not unlike the Red Queen herself ( or will we be calling her, HRC that is, Czarina...
Here in Vermont both mine are out and married, now waiting for grand kids!
Son just married in Japan on July 11.What a trip!
My parents have 13 grandchildren from 3 of their 4 children.
We’re a prolific bunch. LOL
Maybe you should know something about the woman before making nasty slurs.
DARN!
That's quite a remark. What evidence do you have that would lead you to arrive at such a conclusion? Newspaper stories, perhaps?
The fact that Jeri Thompson was telling slackers to get back to work bothers you? Funny, I find it refreshing, showing a committment of wasting neither time nor contribution money.
Either provide solid rationale for drawing a parallel between Jeri Kehn Thompson and Hillary or be prepared for others to think of you as just another squirrelly Fred detractor.
Ditto, and Ditto..
Rudybots cant help themselves. They stalk our Fred posts just to invade and be nasty. They reek of “no confidence” for their candidate, very sad.
Where’s your backup for that comment? You obviously DO NOT support Fred so why don’t you start a thread for your own candidate? Attempting to tear down Fred or his wife WILL NOT make yours look any better.
“Her critics point out her focus on trying to control spending, urging thrift after the campaigns early fund-raising successes began to taper off and even more so after the campaign of her husbands friend, Senator John McCain of Arizona, was rocked by the news that it had spent all it raised.”
Wow, that criticism really hits the mark. Can’t have any fiscal responsibility in a presidential campaign!!
Doncha know? Folks might get the idea that you might promote fiscal responsibility in GOVERNANCE!! We can’t have that, can we?!?
Nah, he’s for Slick Willard...
FDT = Fred/Duncan Ticket!
I think it probably would have been better if Jeri had asked the person(s) who the AWOL employees understood to be their immediate boss(es) to talk to them about being absent when they were expected to be at their desks. I can see where it might be irritating to people if they feel someone other than the person they report to is getting involved in personnel matters, especially if that someone does not have a clearly defined role in the campaign.
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