by Jill Zuckman
Todd Harris, former flak for John McCain, Jeb Bush and Arnold Schwarzenegger, will take over immediately as Fred Thompson's communications director, Harris confirmed this evening.
Thompson, the former Tennessee Republican senator, is expected to officially announce he is running for president after a long, drawn out flirtation.
Over the past several months, the Law and Order star repeatedly has reshuffled campaign staff and suffered from poor reviews as he has visited Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and other early primary spots.
Most recently, he parted ways with a communications director from the Chamber of Commerce and said goodbye to a campaign manager.
Republican activists have complained that Thompson has had little of substance to say on the stump. But with the GOP nomination fight increasingly competitive, Thompson has shown promise in the polls, leading his competitors in Michigan and South Carolina and edging out McCain in New Hampshire, which was once thought to be McCain's strong suit.
Harris, a California native, got his start in presidential politics as a press secretary aboard the "Straight Talk Express'' in the 2000 election -- helping McCain win an early spree of primary fights before losing the nomination to George W. Bush.
He has served Schwarzenegger in California. And most recently, he has worked for the Navigators, a Republican consulting firm led by Mike Murphy, a former media adviser to McCain. Both Todd and Murphy campaigned for former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida.
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Comments
Get down on your knees and give praise, hosannas and hallalueas - Fred is coming save us!
Maybe?
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 29, 2007 7:22 PM
Thompson-Romney, Romney-Thompson.
Great possibilities, hey?
Of course, against Hildy-Bama, Laurel and Hardy would look good. Add Bill Clinton to H and O to make it a troika and the Three Stooges could make it a runaway.
Posted by: Duluth | August 29, 2007 7:35 PM
This guy's crash and burn is going to be spectacular. Bank on it.
Posted by: kb | August 29, 2007 9:50 PM
Fredrick's Of Hollywood Thompson is here to save life, liberty and the Wingnut way.
I hope he brings his daughter...I mean trophy wife.
Posted by: John E | August 29, 2007 10:16 PM
Bring it on, Grandpa Fred:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWfRuUvWObg
Posted by: John E | August 29, 2007 10:31 PM
Republican activists have complained that Thompson has had little of substance to say on the stump. But with the GOP nomination fight increasingly competitive, Thompson has shown promise in the polls,
Just goes to show how desperate the GOP is. Bring that trophy wife having old zombie on!!! I bet he creaks when he walks. Vote for change. Vote Democrat in 2008.
Throw the corrupt republican bums out.
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | August 30, 2007 9:10 AM
At least with him we will all be lucky to see his wife and not the ultra ugly Michelle Obama and almost man like HIllary. I somewhat like HIllary but she is not to high up on looks. So now hopefully they will put pic of his wife with him in all his articles.
Posted by: Vinny | August 30, 2007 9:28 AM
Vinny,
Congratulations!
You are second only to Rush Limbaugh comparing (at the time) 13 year old Chelsea Clinton to a dog in sleazy classlessness!
Please post a photo of yourself on the net so you can take all the credit you so richly deserve!
After you do that, I'll be contacting Wikipedia to update the definition of scum.
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 30, 2007 10:47 AM
I somewhat like HIllary but she is not to high up on looks. So now hopefully they will put pic of his wife with him in all his articles.
Posted by: Vinny | August 30, 2007 9:28 AM
Ya got a point there Vinny. Trophy chicks are hot. Republicans are not.
Posted by: Force of Darkness | August 30, 2007 10:51 AM
Wait, wait - why don't you just elect an independent ticket of Fred Thompson's and Dennis Kucinich's wifes. American politics at its finest!
Posted by: British Alien | August 30, 2007 1:33 PM
Sorry if the truth offends you. I could care less about Thompson. I like Guliani and Clinton. IF either one wins the nom they have my vote. If they both due then I will have to decide. I lean towards Guliani right now. Anyway if you are disputing that Michelle Obama is hideous that is your opinion, but to me she is as unattractive as can be. SHe makes Condolizza look hot. Those pics of her in the Sun Times made me truly question Obama's judgement. If his judgment on women is this bad what does that say about the rest of his decisions. I dont know if it is her hair or if she just has an ugly mug.
Posted by: Vinny | August 30, 2007 1:57 PM
Nothing sells the true meaning of Republican family values like the 60- year-old divorced actor guy married to the 30 year old hottie. Good luck, Mr. Harris.
Posted by: Tom O | August 30, 2007 5:23 PM
Vinny,
Spare me the patronizing, condescending crap.
Grab yourself by your BBs and go to an Obama event and tell the Senator what you've said here and let's what your photo looks like before you see the plastic surgeon.
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 30, 2007 6:41 PM
Tom O:
Fred' is almost 65 and his wife is 40. That, by the way, is less of an age difference than the one between Dennis Kucinich and his wife. I’m sure, however, that I'll never hear a word about D.K. from you folks. And that's because you guys are nitpicking.
Posted by: John W. | August 31, 2007 12:02 AM