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
Great report Rob!
I’m sure Fred is keeping some other candidates wide awake at night.
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.
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Here's my conclusion: You support some other, less successful candidate.
I just recalled one light and funny moment-
Fred was in his intro and he got into his standard spiel about how they said it would cost $100 million to campaign this year, and so by delaying his entry he had saved $50 million dollars.
And then he said to the crowd, and that’s YOUR $50 MILLION we saved, so remember that a little later when we need you to give again! (This event was $1000 a person, so most people here are probably already maxed out for the primary but it was still funny anyway)
Awe.........Fred looks great. Thanks.
I can assure you that there was nothing trampy about Mrs. Thompson last night. She looked great, was great with Fred and her daughter, and she would make a great First Lady. It would be fun to have some kids running around the Oval Office!
and this:
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It sure would!
Just just like FDR couldn’t be a good prez because of a health concern???
JERI THOMPSON:
He will be able to go back to his donors, while some of the others in the top tier are: firing campaign fund mgrs, tapping their own bank account, or just plain going broke.
After Feb 5th when he has a lock on the nomination all that missing “Republican donation” cash will flood in.
BTW... Senator Allen looked like a fine VP in those photos.
I think Jeri Thompson would make a wonderful First Lady. She would follow in the footsteps of the gracious Laura Bush just fine. I, too, think it would be fun to have children running around the White House. (Though I think Barney has been a joy to watch)
what a gorgeous pic!
Allen for Veep might work!
It was a compliment. I still believe I'm right. He looks a lot better than those pix at the county fair.
Purely frivolous observation here, but Rob, you’re almost as tall as Fred! Nice to know that. And the guy in the 9th picture with the gray suit and full head of gray hair, he looks like he is as tall as Fred. Plus George Allen is almost as tall as Fred too! It is nice to see that some people can stretch up to the Fred standard.
Thank you so much for the report, and the pictures. Fred looks great in indoor pictures.
I’m sorry there were none of Hayden.
Apparently I’m wrong, I’m sorry. I’ll double check next time. I got that picture a month or so ago from a FreeRepublic page.
I am a big Thompson fan and think he is our best chance to win. He would tear Hillary up in a real debate.
Unfortunately what are called debates are actually joint interviews (by Liberal questioners).
People keep asking for the second coming of Ronald Reagan. That we don't need, which is a good thing, because there isn't another like the original.
I believe Thompson may be what the doctor ordered...may be...because he has legitimate conservative credentials, and seems to have excellent command of most of the issues.
If he can be Reaganesque exuding optimism, he will be a formidable candidate. I believe he will be hard to beat by RINOs and other Democrats. Just as important, he will have coat tails long enough to sweep those surrender monkeys further down Pennsylvania Ave. from power.
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