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Thompson defends wife's role in presidential campaign
AP via KnoxNews ^ | 9/7/7

Posted on 09/07/2007 7:56:22 AM PDT by SmithL

WASHINGTON - Republican presidential hopeful Fred Thompson on Friday defended his wife's role in his campaign, saying she has only been doing what he had asked her to do.

"If some people who got their feelings hurt anonymously now want to go after her instead of me because they might feel like she's an easier target, there's nothing I can do about that," Thompson said.

"But I don't have any further need for explanation for anything that she's done. Thank goodness she's there," the former Tennessee senator said in an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America."

Thompson's initial efforts to get the GOP presidential nod were plagued by high-profile staff departures and lackluster fundraising. Some critics have blamed the rocky start on the active role played in the campaign by his wife, Jeri, a former political and media consultant.

Thompson explained that his campaign started out "around our kitchen table a few months ago" with "Jeri and me and a couple of friends."

"She is smart and I confide in her," Thompson said. "She helps me in things that I want to do and I asked her to help me do this and be the intermediary."

Thompson said he was busy at the time trying to "disengage" from his obligations as an actor, a radio talk show host and a member of a State Department advisory board.

Thompson, 65, who disclosed in April that he was diagnosed in 2004 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a highly treatable form of cancer, also sought to allay any concerns about his health.

"My latest checkup was 100 percent," Thompson said. "If I thought I had any problems I assure you I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing today. I haven't been sick a day in my life from this. It's a good kind of thing to have if you can say such a thing."


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: fred; fredthompson; jerikehn
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1 posted on 09/07/2007 7:56:24 AM PDT by SmithL
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To: SmithL

And she’s innocent!


2 posted on 09/07/2007 7:56:55 AM PDT by RexBeach ("Americans never quit." Douglas MacArthur)
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To: SmithL

Clinton is in Texas campaigning for his spouse Hillary.


3 posted on 09/07/2007 8:00:08 AM PDT by edcoil (Reality doesn't say much - doesn't need too)
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To: jellybean; girlangler; KoRn; Shortstop7; Lunatic Fringe; Darnright; babygene; pitbully; granite; ...
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket


4 posted on 09/07/2007 8:01:08 AM PDT by Politicalmom (Of the potential GOP front runners, FT has one of the better records on immigration.- NumbersUSA)
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To: SmithL
She is smart and I confide in her,"

hmm...

That's scary right there.

5 posted on 09/07/2007 8:02:10 AM PDT by Clint N. Suhks ( BUILD THE WALL, ENFORCE THE LAW!)
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Comment #6 Removed by Moderator

To: SmithL

I’ve been working on and around campaigns for 20 years. Involving the candidate’s spouse in campaign operations is just a bad idea for so many reasons. It’s not necessary and it’s counterproductive. Send her out to talk to groups and organizations. If she’s a pro, then get her on the phone making money calls, but keep her away from the people who have jobs to do and know what they are doing.


7 posted on 09/07/2007 8:04:32 AM PDT by ElkGroveDan (When toilet paper is a luxury, you have achieved communism.)
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To: edcoil

President Clinton is defending his wife’s role in this next election.


8 posted on 09/07/2007 8:06:08 AM PDT by usmcobra (I sing Karaoke the way it was meant to be sung, drunk, badly and in Japanese)
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To: SmithL

This is silly.


9 posted on 09/07/2007 8:06:18 AM PDT by The Ghost of FReepers Past (Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light..... Isaiah 5:20)
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To: SmithL

Pix plz


10 posted on 09/07/2007 8:06:39 AM PDT by italianquaker (Is there anything Ron Paul doesn't blame the USA for?)
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To: SmithL
"She is smart and I confide in her," Thompson said. "She helps me in things that I want to do and I asked her to help me do this and be the intermediary."

***************

Jeri is a supportive wife, and Fred is right to be proud of her. There aren't nearly enough like her out there these days.


11 posted on 09/07/2007 8:06:59 AM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: arbooz

Hey! Where’d you come up with the shot of me and the wife on our camping trip?


12 posted on 09/07/2007 8:08:45 AM PDT by stormer
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To: SmithL

Meanwhile, Edwards and Obama are not having to defend the role of their wives in their campaigns. Just thought the MSM would like to know that.


13 posted on 09/07/2007 8:13:09 AM PDT by Enterprise (I can't talk about liberals anymore because some of the words will get me sent to rehab.)
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To: italianquaker

14 posted on 09/07/2007 8:16:31 AM PDT by mollynme (cogito, ergo freepum)
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To: mollynme

I love that picture.


15 posted on 09/07/2007 8:17:34 AM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Clint N. Suhks
Yup, I agree. There is nothing as frightening as a man who actually talks to his wife, confides in her, or listens to what she has to say. That "healthy marriage" thing is scary, scary stuff! A true presidential candidate makes snap decisions without getting opinions from any other source, let alone one he trusts enough to sleep next to at night. I'm sure having second thoughts about ol' Fred now, boy, lemme tell you!
16 posted on 09/07/2007 8:23:20 AM PDT by Jokelahoma (Animal testing is a bad idea. They get all nervous and give wrong answers.)
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To: mollynme

Thnx but who needs that hack Jay Leno


17 posted on 09/07/2007 8:26:11 AM PDT by italianquaker (Is there anything Ron Paul doesn't blame the USA for?)
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To: SmithL

Is his Edmund-Muskie-Moment coming soon?


18 posted on 09/07/2007 8:27:54 AM PDT by TomGuy
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To: ElkGroveDan

Good advice for the Thompson campaign. I too know first hand the deleterious effect a candidate’s spouse can have on a promising candidacy. A campaign can dissolve by degrees until it becomes unsalvageable. As you have pointed out, there is necessary and vitally important work that a wife can do. Fred’s wife has the unique experience of being involved in political campaigns and is obviously an exceptional asset to her husband’s Presidential race. However, the most talented person in the wrong position can do more harm than good.


19 posted on 09/07/2007 8:29:07 AM PDT by mountainfolk (Member of the Free Republic Bush Underground--God Bless President Bush)
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To: SmithL

If Hillary can have her Bill to garner support, then Fred can call on his spouse for assistance as well.


20 posted on 09/07/2007 8:30:40 AM PDT by blitzgig
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