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
I’m 6’1 and Fred is about 4-5 inches taller.
And the camera does add fifteen pounds, I ‘m only 60 pounds overweight in real life! (I am working on that though and I hope to post slim pictures with Fred at the Inaugural)
Sorry for the dupe.
GO FRed !
Just a few photos:
Great the Indians won but now its time for the Browns to get of their butts
Once a Browns fan always a Browns fan
I understand your school-girl crush on Fred, but the man does not look well. After a few months on the campaign, anything that is wrong with him will show up in spades.
And should I remind you that FDR died in office?
Wrong.
Great pix and report Rob. But...but...his shoes! What about his shoes?!
:^P
See my post #78
Great report and thanks so much for sharing your pictures. So happy for you that you got to meet Fred! I am just looking forward to seeing and hearing him speak in person. Want to find a good link to his schedule so I don’t miss getting to see him when he comes to Florida again. Guess it was a fundraiser event you went to, and I hope his report this campaign cycle is excellent and showing that he is receiving lots of support. I just made another donation, and this cycle ends on Sept.30th. Hope other supporters were able to send a donation too!
What you said about FT’s illness could be true, and I don’t have a problem with that....we can’t tell when nature is going to take its course - look at Tony Snow. What I take issue with is the context of your comment - we were looking at pics of an exciting event and then you make this dour comment - you sound like you’d be a bit gleeful if your prediction turned out to be true.
You lucky dawg! You made my day, thanks.
Ping.
What a lovely library.
Hmmm - I don’t think that lipstick on his cheek in the first, fourth and fifth pictures is Jeri’s color. Do we have a potential scandal here??? LOL!
“It seems to me that it is preacher’s attempt to besmirch the future First Lady by making her looking... gee, what’s the word I want... trampy.”
The picture is that of Lorri Morgan, country singer, who dated Fred at one time. Why the person stated it was a picture of Jeri Thompson, I do not know. Actually I don’t think Lorri Morgan looks trampy since she was performing at the time. Most country singers dress in jeans/etc when performing. :)
I feel so bad with every mention of George Allen. He’d still be in the U.S. Senate and we’d have control of the upper chamber had he not “caved in” over the “Macaca” thing and apologized and groveled at the media’s feet a thousand times.
Just goes to prove that in the 21st Century political arena you better have the ‘nads to say “Yeah, I said it; what of it?” Will that ever happen? Nah; not in the GOP ranks.
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