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."
And she’s innocent!
Clinton is in Texas campaigning for his spouse Hillary.
hmm...
That's scary right there.
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.
President Clinton is defending his wife’s role in this next election.
This is silly.
Pix plz
***************
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.
Hey! Where’d you come up with the shot of me and the wife on our camping trip?
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.
I love that picture.
Thnx but who needs that hack Jay Leno
Is his Edmund-Muskie-Moment coming soon?
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.
If Hillary can have her Bill to garner support, then Fred can call on his spouse for assistance as well.
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