Posted on 09/27/2007 12:33:01 PM PDT by RobFromGa
The Thompson fund-raising event was at the private residence of William & Christine Barr. Mr. Barr was Attorney General under Bush 41 and their home is wonderfully full of mementos like photos with the Pope, Pres. Reagan, and a host of other notables.
We got there promptly at 6pm and they valet parked our car, and we went inside where we met our hosts, the Barrs, and talked to them as people arrived. They are warm, wonderful and normal people.
At about 6:20 there were about 125-150 of us in their "library" and there was a buzz in the room that FRED was in the building. We spotted that familiar tall man through a few rooms out in the entry area making his way back. He worked his way through three rooms stopping briefly to chat and shake hands with people in these rooms. At about 630, he worked his way into the library, and I got to talk with him for a few seconds and shake his hand.
I told Fred that I was all the way from Atlanta as a friend from Georgia, and that I felt we would have no trouble delivering Georgia to him. He was warm, and friendly and energetic and very much alive and engaged in the whole event.
After about thirty minutes of meeting and greeting, Fred moved to the front of the library and at this point they introduced Jeri (his beautiful wife) and his 4 year old girl. The baby was at home. Then Fred gave about a 35 minute talk where he expounded on his reasons for running, his theme of SECURITY- PROSPERITY- and UNITY, and then he ended with an optimistic tone about what he thought could be accomplished with a THOMPSON presidency.
Then he took questions from the audience (about 6 questions in all). They ranged from Iraq, to Iran, to economic growth, to how to communicate best with the American people and get around the media filter. It was candid, honest and refreshing. And not once did Fred seem to be at a loss for words.
The entire time he came across as totally in command of his message and he was able to plainly deliver that message which I believe is going to resonate with the American people.
During the Q&A he referenced his good friend "Sen. Allen" there in the back, and there he was smiling and happy to be in good company.
At the end, we got a chance to get a quick picture with Sen. Allen and then with Fred, and I got him to sign a quick thing for me. And then we talked to a few more people, and left at about 815 to go grab some BBQ for a late dinner.
I flew home at 630am this morning and it was a day I will always remember.
Here are some pictures...
Fred Speaking
Jeri putting her name tag on
Jeri attending to their child (not shown)
RobFromGa with Sen. Allen
Fred smiling at us
RobFromGa and Fred
RobFromGa and Fred 2
A good one of Fred!
Fred looking right at us
Fred in front answering questions
Fred and Jeri
OOPS!!! Wasn’t wearing my spot sarcasm glasses ;-)... Sorry.
Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
WARNING: If you wish to join, be aware that this ping list is EXTREMELY active.
Bump!
That was sarcasm.
Shoulda read further myself. . . .
um, maybe you just haven’t seen his natural hair color up so close, as in these nice big clear photos from Rob. nice attempt at a cheap shot, though. you never disappoint.
Fred is going to have to withdraw from the race because of illness.
go back and read her tagline.
Did your Ouija board tell you that?
Good grief. He looks great. Fred is in to win. I support him 100%. The alternatives are frankly disappointing either in campaign efforts or flipflops not to mention the ones with scary positions and frightening liberal pasts.
Great post, Rob! I’d love to meet Fred in person.
Check his tag line. It says all.
He does look great in these pictures, but he is even better in person. He does not have any lack of energy, and he does not appear at all to be unhealthy.
And I was very pleasantly surprised at what a class act Jeri seems to be. She is nothing at all like she is portrayed by the catty pundits. Fred and Jeri are both classy people and Fred is doing this because it is the right thing to do for America.
You;'ll be eating those words on Jan. 20, 2009 when President Thompson is sworn in as the 44th President. :)
| 44 4 44 |
On Iraq and Iran, I totally agree with him.
I agree with him on taxes and economic growth. Haven’t seen any policy details in respect to Social Security and Medicare to comment.
But all in all, I like what I hear thus far.
Thanks for that report. Fred looks good!
Thanks!
no. lori morgan.
Why did you post a picture of Lorrie Morgan and label it Jeri. Did I miss something?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.