Okay:
Posted on 07/10/2007 2:15:19 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Sunday's New York Times contains an article about the 2008 race that poses a different question than most other commentary thus far. It's not asking if America's ready for a woman president, or a Mormon, or an African-American. It's asking whether America's ready for a trophy wife.
The wife in question is Jeri Kehn Thompson, 40, who's married to Fred Thompson, the 64-year-old former "Law and Order" actor and Republican senator from Tennessee who's expected to announce a bid for the presidency. The Times describes her as having "youthfulness, [a] permanent tan and bleached blonde hair" and asks whether "so-called values voters" -- i.e., conservative Republicans -- would "accept this union."
This probably won't come as surprising to Kehn Thompson, whose age and appearance have earned her Internet abuse and a comment by Joe Scarborough asking if she "works the pole," during a segment about striptease workouts. But that doesn't mean it's excusable. (And as the Times put it, "It is hard to imagine a man, however handsome, suffering similar insult.")
Here are my questions: Why should the couple's age difference be blamed on the woman? (Fred was presumably a big part of that decision, too.) What does the appearance of a first lady have to do with her husband's bid for the presidency (or vice versa)? And, as always, why should a woman need to defend herself against accusations that she's a "bimbo" just because she's attractive? Even the Times plays into this, pointing out that Kehn Thompson is a former Senate aide and a spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee -- as if her blondeness needs to be offset by professional accomplishment. And, continues the Times, "she is not a homewrecker." Thanks. What, exactly, does that have to do with her husband's run for president? Even if their marriage had been preceded by an extramarital affair, why should Mrs. Thompson be the one on the defensive? Wouldn't that reflect just as poorly -- if not more so -- on her husband?
What's more, it seems as if people's obsession with Kehn Thompson has less to do with her objective age or attractiveness than the fact that she's with an older man. After all, Michelle Obama is a vibrant 43 -- not too far past Kehn Thompson, and an attractive person to boot. And yet no one's asking whether Michelle's too hot for the White House (perhaps those people are too busy asking whether she's too black for the White House). Yes, a 24-year age difference does turn heads, and yes, any candidate with a "trophy" spouse is going to attract attention. But why must the attention always focus on the woman?
The Times' headline was "Will Her Face Determine His Fortune." Let's hope that if push comes to shove, it's actually his capabilities, not his wife's appearance, that determine whether Thompson's fit for office.
Pictures please.
Okay:
That was mean.
Another thread, Destroyed.
It doesn’t matter how “hot” she is. All that matters is that she is a good wife to him.
I smoked my scroll button when I saw that picture.
I knew that Scarborough was a twit, I didn’t realize he was white trash. I think he should go spin on a pole somewhere.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
I can’t say I’m crazy about that dress. Too many pleats.
I know I’m going to take heat for this comment, but the fact is, that on the issue of personal/family life (which does count in an election, no matter how many rhetorical questions we ask about whether or not is should count), Romney wins.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
That doesn’t change what I said. I didn’t say that family wins elections. I said on the issue of personal family, Romney wins.
How did she learn to levitate like that?
lotsa folks thought Jackie K was hot too, and JFK got elected.
For later.
Ping for later...
Somebody also needs to add “Ann Coulter pics” to this as well.
perfect example Bill Clinton, nuff said there.
but to the second part of your statement vote for the candidate, not the wife does it work with reversal spouses aka Hillary and Bill....she seems to feel that without billyboy she has no chance.
Logic would tell us if Bill Clinton got elected then your wife’s looks really shouldn’t come in to play.
Just ask Hillary Clinton. People will vote for her because of her candidacy for the ‘08 Presidency and not because of her wife, Bill Clinton. (sarcasm off) I think I just threw your theory right out the window!
What’s wrong with Fred’s legs?
Looks like he’s walking around with shoes on his knees.
Does that mean that Hillary is to fat and ugly to be President
She’s an attorney and political consultant.
Damn trophy wife - just shut up and look pretty!
That’s just about the worst picture there is...
Actually, he is old enough to be her dad. :) I don’t know if the photos I see of her are a reflection of her fashion taste and I really don’t care. I do know women, who are half of the electorate aren’t going to be pleased with it, if it in fact does reflect her usual fashion sense.
Once women in general see just how smart Jeri really is as a person, then it won’t hurt Fred Thompson as much. It’s what: the MSM, all of the daytime talk shows, all of the late night talk shows, MAD TV, and Saturday Night Live end up doing with making fun of Fred Thompson and Jeri Thompson that I’m more concerned about. They will all do everything that they truly can to help get Hillary Clinton elected as the next POTUS.
She’s pretty, but hardly hot. Lost her body tone years ago.
Twit..she’s just had a baby..
The picture's shot with a very wide-angle lens, which makes their heads (nearer the camera) disproportionately large and their nether regions disproportionately small.
Wonder who took the picture, and how it ended up illustrating the gold-digging NYTimes reporterette’s story on Fred & Jeri?
“No candidate has ever won based on his wife’s attractiveness.”
Just ask FDR.
I think Duncan Hunter wins, but that’s me.
Let us fervently pray this holds true.
That is Mortitia’s red headed daugther.
Don't know much about Duncan Hunter yet, eh? One thing fr SURE is Giuliani loses hands down on that one. What a rotten father/husband that slimeball POS is!
‘I knew that Scarborough was a twit, I didn’t realize he was white trash.’
I think we should see a picture of Scarborough’s wife.
Lets see how much of a reason he actually has to be envious of Fred Thompson....(chuckle)
I agree, much better picture, more appropriate of an aging 40 year old mother of 2 and wife, rather than the leaves nothing to the imagination blue dress.
This one shows she is a typical 40 year old beginning to get the fat flabby upper arms. :)
You can say that again. ;D
That being the case, the picture would seem to have more potential to harm Fred than Jeri...
I’d rather look like Mortitia’s red-headed daughter than Gollum’s distant cousin!
Meow!
Nope just the truth Ma’m.
Ummmmmm......it’s called a perspective shot — and not a very flattering one.
I’ll bet he thinks twice before he asks for pictures again! LOL!
This particular picture is a little distorted - JMHO - I think it was taken with a wide angle lens — making Fred’s feet appear tiny, and the middle section of the picture, his torso AND hers, appear larger than they really are.
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