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Thompson Camp Tight-Lipped About Wife Jeri

Fred Thompson's "testing the waters" campaign hasn't done itself any favors by being so evasive when it comes to questions about Mrs. Thompson.

Perhaps if the topic weren't so shrouded in mystery, Newsweek magazine wouldn't have created a mini firestorm with its story this week suggesting Jeri Kehn Thompson may have been married before - and possibly never divorced - since her name pops up in public records as Jeri Kehn Alvey, which is the last name of her ex-boyfriend.

"It's unclear exactly when she may have been married or when she may have gotten divorced," the magazine wrote. "When asked directly about it, the campaign would neither confirm nor deny a previous marriage."

Why the secrecy?

It certainly piqued the interest of other political reporters who wondered why the campaign wouldn't have simply said "No, she has never been married before" if, in fact, she had never been married before.

The Post, in an in-depth profile of Jeri Thompson in Sunday's paper, reported that the would-be first lady lived with a guy named Bernard "Chip" Alvey and, in court judgments against her, used Alvey's last name. The paper attributed Alvey as saying the couple had never married.

By mid-day Monday, a Thompson spokeswoman confirmed to the Washington Post's Alec MacGillis, who co-wrote the Thompson profile, that Fred Thompson is indeed Jeri's first husband. But the Thompson camp provided no comment whatsoever for the Post profile of Mrs. Thompson that ran on Sunday.

Today, Fred Thompson, in an exclusive interview with the National Review's Byron York, provided a hint as to why his operation is so secretive when it comes to Jeri. Thompson spun it this way:

"I think the problem is that Jeri refuses to go out in public and behave like a candidate's wife before I'm a candidate. The fact that she's not out there promoting herself seems to greatly concern some people in the media, so they have gone back to old boyfriends, the families of old boyfriends, high-school classmates, basically anything that can be dredged up to fill this void that they perceive has been created."

The 64-year-old former senator also defended his 40-year-old wife's heavy-handed role in his presidential exploratory effort, whose early staff shakeup was partly the result of tension between aides and Mrs. Thompson. The way Thompson tells it, his wife was just following orders.

He said while he was disengaging himself from his radio and television contracts at the same time that his exploratory committee was getting underway, "I asked her to do certain things for me. She did what I asked her to do."

Meanwhile, asked when Mrs. Thompson would be playing a less mysterious and more visible role on the campaign trail, Thompson spokeswoman Linda Rozett said, "Sorry, I don't have a comment today."

Asked if the campaign had an official policy against answering questions about Mrs. Thompson, Rozett replied: "No. But for today, you'll have to say we declined to comment."

By Mary Ann Akers  |  August 6, 2007; 5:35 PM ET
 
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Comments

We have a word for people like Jeri Thomsons....they're called gold diggers.

Posted by: John | August 6, 2007 7:04 PM | Report abuse

An evasive answer to an easy question? What does this say?

Posted by: Anonymous | August 6, 2007 7:13 PM | Report abuse

Did you get her credit report from Chuck Schumer?

Posted by: targetrichenvironmentdotnet | August 6, 2007 7:14 PM | Report abuse

This Jeri Thomson sounds like a typical wh0RE who sleeps with some older men to gain access to the good life.

Posted by: Drew | August 6, 2007 7:21 PM | Report abuse

It's so hard to keep all of these Republican candidates' wives and ex-wives straight. These moralistic, family values hypocrites just jump from bed to bed and woman to woman. It makes your head spin.

You got to love it, particularly when someone like Sen. David Vitter (R-Diaperland) gets exposed for the slimebag he is.

To put things in perspective, Fred Thompson already had graduated from law school when his wife was born.

Posted by: reporter1 | August 6, 2007 7:37 PM | Report abuse

Although it is clear that there appear to be some issues with her credibility and propensity to marry a man she probably has very little in common with, there is no reason to stoop so low as to call her such derogatory names as the earlier poster did.

Posted by: Herson | August 6, 2007 7:41 PM | Report abuse

When you get to be our age and have as much money as we do; who cares if your wife is intelligent or at least thinks she is. Good job, Fred!

Your pal,

Heff

Posted by: Hugh Heffner Not | August 6, 2007 7:46 PM | Report abuse

I believe you never corrected the information you gave us that Jeri is a lawyer? Care to tell us how you came to print that lie as a fact? Who was your source? (Journalism 101: source confidentiality does not apply to people who use you to get a lie in print.) I wouldn't be surprised if you never corrected it (there certainly isn't a correction attached to the original post), given your track-record of mindlessly repeating Republican-insider spin and unprofessional reluctance to correct factual inaccuracies (at least when they serve the interests of the Republican establishment).

Posted by: mz | August 6, 2007 8:02 PM | Report abuse

Herson, just calling a spade a spade. If it hurts you, then you must be a loser yourself.

Posted by: Drew | August 6, 2007 8:02 PM | Report abuse

Don't tell me you never retracted your original claim that Jeri was an attorney. That's not very sleuthy. Your ombudswoman is probably very unhappy w/ you....oh, wait, that's right, lil Debbie, nevermind.

Posted by: Johnny Cumlately | August 6, 2007 8:17 PM | Report abuse

Regardless of his wife's, uh, attributes, no 64 year-old man should be the father of little children. Does he care that he'll probably croak before they are out of elementary school? Who wants a man with judgment like this for president?

Posted by: Vanessa Prouty | August 7, 2007 1:59 AM | Report abuse

If the Thompson Camp gets any more secretive, maybe the NSA better eavesdrop and give us a few more details in the National Intelligence Estimate.

Posted by: Jane Blonde I mean Bond Jane Bond | August 7, 2007 6:30 AM | Report abuse

Jane Bond - that was positively inspired. Gonzales may be the only guy in the world with info on whether Mrs. Thompson was married before.

Imagine the power...

Posted by: Jen Q | August 7, 2007 8:27 AM | Report abuse

This is the society we've become. Someone calls her a filthy name, others call her gold digger. Why can't anyone believe that sometimes age doesn't matter. One doesn't choose whom they will love. It just happens, for whatever reasaon. But one thing we desperately need is to get rid of hypocritical Republicans. They have divided the US; they have politicized departments; corruption is rampant; they have told the congress they can have nothing...not testimoney, not evidence, not oversight etc., everything is cloaked in "national security and executive privilage." In other words, Bush can do what he wants and no one can challenge him. To make matters all the worse, the congress just gave Gonzales sole discretion over spying on US Citizens. In case you missed it, the law said he only has to believe the calls he taps into are coming from overseas. If we aren't careful, Bush is going to name himself commander in chief of the world as Will Ferral said in parody. He has all the courts up to the supreme court wired so he can't lose.

Posted by: jathanas | August 7, 2007 9:29 AM | Report abuse

Goodness if it turns out to be true, that makes Mrs Thompson a bigamist (or perhaps some kind of feminist Mormon.) and Mr Thompson an adulterer.
BTW, was it your own home you were supposed to wreck, in order to run for president as a Republican, or will another families do?

Posted by: Dijetlo | August 7, 2007 9:31 AM | Report abuse

JATHANUS - But, the monkeys love to be distracted by every shiny thing that catches their eye.

Besides, Jeri is the closest we'll ever get to Anna Nicole Smith as First L...whatever.

Posted by: roooth | August 7, 2007 9:37 AM | Report abuse

That's offensive what Fred Thompson said --if the wife hadn't been so conniving as to put her former boyfriend's name on the court judgment against her in the hopes of making him liable for it, the press would not even know about the old boyfriend she played gold diggger with before him. And she's never paid the judgments. What class.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 7, 2007 10:42 AM | Report abuse

Jathanas apparently believes that there are no hypocritical Democraps who ever politicize anything in government, and none are corrupt or participate in corrupt practices. Get real. Die hard Democraps and Repulsicans are political animals. Their political power and their egos are more important to them than the nation's well being.

Bushman is gone in 17 months. He won't be commander & chief of anything. He certainly doesn't have the popularity, charisma or silver tongued tell 'em what they want to hear glibness of Clintax, so he won't make nearly as much money ripping people off with speaking engagements.

Repulsicans have been taxing productive Americans to death over an ill conceived war. The new Democrap regime will tax productive citizens to death to support unproductive, lazy, won't make an effort people who will vote Democrap. Either way, if you are productive member of this society, your efforts will reward those who are truly undeserving.

Posted by: r man | August 7, 2007 11:45 AM | Report abuse

Pimps Up!!!

Posted by: The Bishop Don Juan | August 7, 2007 11:55 AM | Report abuse

Drew: Assuming that you like women; did Jeri Thompson shoot you down for a date; you're pretty bitter. Why?

Posted by: Brewster | August 7, 2007 1:40 PM | Report abuse

Since when is Thompson even a serious contender? He is the Wes Clark of the Republican '08 line up. He is there to siphon votes from Mitt Romney while serving some other propaganda purpose. Do the American people truly believe that Thompson is qualified to be President? I think this represents a low tide mark for the Republicans. Why does the Washington Post report on a candidate who is not even a candidate? I think this is so much nonsense.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 7, 2007 1:46 PM | Report abuse

If Jeri Thompson was married before... at least it wasn't to Rudy Giuliani. Just saying...

Posted by: Bingo | August 7, 2007 1:57 PM | Report abuse

Jeri Thompson is a poster child for bad behavior.

I can only wonder what kind of message her ascendance to the throne will send to young girls everywhere.. what I do know is that the sales of breast implants will soar.

Posted by: BackDrop | August 7, 2007 3:04 PM | Report abuse

There was a similar controversy about the wife of another Presidential contender from Tennessee: Andrew Jackson and Rachel Donelson.

He won.

Posted by: Mike Deal | August 7, 2007 3:36 PM | Report abuse

Ho Ho HO! More fun with the "boobalicious" Jeri! (sorry, soullady, I had to borrow your hysterically funny term!)

And Philip said " she doesn't have a JD, but it looks like she has a couple of DD's....maybe she could be an ALJ? Hee! Hee!

Get that Creature and his trashy sleezy wife out and OFF THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, WILL YA? Go and look at what "Sen. Fred" did for his state whilst he was Senator-zippo, zilch, nada-he was too busy feeding his ego trying to be the big movie star-eeeuuuw-dead ringer for the Creature from the Black Lagoon indeed! Go back to your lagoon, and leave us alone!

And while you're at it, get that thug Rudy Giuliani and HIS creepy second wife who lied about being married before out of our sight as well-it's no wonder that Giuliani's OWN daughter came out and said she was an avowed "Obama girl" Ha! Ha! LUV Republicans and their unique version of "family values!"

Posted by: Anonymous | August 7, 2007 4:03 PM | Report abuse

Gosh, wish all of the above comment contributors will get a life. I think Fred and his lovely wife will make a fine President and First Lady. Guys eat your heart out

Posted by: cleo | August 7, 2007 6:58 PM | Report abuse

Gosh, wish all of the above comment contributors will get a life. I think Fred and his lovely wife will make a fine President and First Lady. Guys eat your heart out

Posted by: cleo | August 7, 2007 6:58 PM | Report abuse

Hey Cleo-if you want a do-nothing, gigantic ego idiot Prez like Fred, and his boobacious bimbo wife, fine! Join the 50 or so like-minded people and vote for the horse's ass!

Posted by: Anonymous | August 7, 2007 7:26 PM | Report abuse

Brewster asks, "Why does the Washington Post report on a candidate who is not even a candidate?"

They aren't! They are reporting on the -wife- of a guy who isn't even a candidate. That's why so many people think the Post has hit a new low with this trash.

I'll bet three-quarters of the people in here tossing around the term "trophy wife" voted for the trophy husband in 2004. Just sayin'.

Posted by: Bob H | August 7, 2007 9:22 PM | Report abuse

Why do I get the ever increasing impression that she wants to be First Lady much more than he wants to even run for President? Is that the real reason for the delay in announcing?

Posted by: BeenThereMan | August 8, 2007 1:54 AM | Report abuse

Seems to me that Mr. Thompson is a wee bit better qualified to be President than was the Great Decider when he first ran --certainly smarter. Not only that, he's head and shoulders above Mort and Google. Let's hear it for McCain already

Posted by: OldDoc | August 8, 2007 12:11 PM | Report abuse

Thompsons wife is not the problem
THE ISSUE IS THAT THIS MAN IS ANOTHER PUPPET FOR BIG MONEY [LIKE BUSH] AND THIS IS WHY HE WOULD BE ANOTHER BUSH.
HES NOT REAL BRIGHT SO HE FITS THE REPUBLICAN MOLD.

Posted by: tom mcclain | August 8, 2007 12:28 PM | Report abuse

There are many harsh critics of Thompson's wife, but this does not reflect on their views on important issues such as poverty. 78% of Americans agree that fighting poverty is the best way to combat terrorism. What do the Thompson's plan to do about that? The Thompson's personal life do not currently affect their views on these issues.

Posted by: Erica | August 8, 2007 1:36 PM | Report abuse

So, will you ever correct the lie you printed saying Jeri is a lawyer? And will you explain openly how you came to print that lie? Or is the neo-con Post really that far gone?

Posted by: mike | August 8, 2007 2:36 PM | Report abuse

Why is the media harping so much on the age difference? In the interest of that golden blogosphere virtue transparency, shouldn't we be discussing the 17? 18? year difference between you and Mr. Isikoff?

Posted by: Rich | August 8, 2007 4:44 PM | Report abuse

Jeri "heavy-HANDED?" I would have thought "heavy-SOMETHING ELSE."

Posted by: Philip V. Riggio | August 8, 2007 5:07 PM | Report abuse

So let's see....Ms. Akers has yet to own up to her boo-boo in stating that Jeri Thompson is a lawyer when she is not--even in a related story such as this one that would have provided a golden opportunity to mention it.

Then today, on MSNBC, catching the end of an interview with Ms. Akers, did I really hear the "Sleuth" refer to John Edwards as "not the most genuine" of candidates? And this gratuitous opinion was based on what, exactly, Ms. Akers?

Posted by: Anonymous | August 8, 2007 5:19 PM | Report abuse

I'll take Fred Thompson over anyone else, you can bet your sweet bass on that. As for the rest of you thoughtless fops, none of you have the balls to say any of this to his face, or his wife's.

As for Fred Thompson's leadership and qualifications..... he's got more in the tip of his 'pinky' than the rest of the Democratic field, combined.

Left wing, Liberal Democrats: if you wanna mix it up alittle, let's see what you can bring to the game. Your disrespect towards Mrs. Thompson and their family only confirms your Liberal bias towards all Republicans, regardless of any truth. You have no class or respect for anyone, especially yourselves.

The cut and run kids..... you will be the first ones to run and hide when the goin' get rough. Your Party is 'in' and they still can't get it done.

See ya in November.

Posted by: Ted | August 8, 2007 6:13 PM | Report abuse

You SURE got that right, Tom-big money, and another not-very-bright Republican hack-eeeeeuw! Quoth the raven, NEVERMORE!

Posted by: Anonymous | August 8, 2007 9:26 PM | Report abuse

well ted
weve kicked about half the republicans out of office in the last election and we will get rid of many more next election.
If you gop people want to stay in power, you need to find someone that is competent and a few ethics. Im glad you refer to me as liberal for i would be insulted if you caalled me a republican and i assure you that we will bring it on so crawl back in your hole.

Posted by: tom mcclain | August 8, 2007 9:53 PM | Report abuse

As usual, Erica the povery harpy, continues to go on about poverty and says, "78% of Americans agree that fighting poverty is the best way to combat terrorism." Unfortunately Erica, that means that 78% of Americans are either as stupid, uneducated, or ignorant as you. The biggest (tallest?) baddest terrorist of them all is purportedly worth $200 million or more and is well educated. At one point all but one of 189 armed conflicts and terror related actions going on in the world involved Muslims. Being financially well off is not the driving issue for their terroristic behavior. Creating a world order based on Sharia law is. This means killing or enslaving non beievers. So Erica, do you and the 78%want to convert to Islam, be slaves or be dead?

Posted by: r man | August 9, 2007 8:26 AM | Report abuse

went to high school with Jeri, have been waiting for all of this to come out. She was never an "up and up" kind of a girl.

Posted by: starlette | August 9, 2007 1:32 PM | Report abuse

Well Tom,

You certainly have a high opinion of yourself. The Republicans kicked themselves out of office, along with the help of those in their own party. You've got a short memory, my boy. Don't get over confident.

This isn't about staying in power. It is about common courtesy.... something the left lacks, greatly. This man hasn't even declared and yet you are all over him and his wife. Where are the ethics, Mr. Mcclain? You couldn't kick the can.

Your buddy, the Raven, has a short memory too. Never say never flyboy. If you think we're going to let you give away the store, you need to up your 'meds.' Your party is the one that got us into this mess to begin with. You wouldn't know the truth if it was right in front of your nose. Show me, both of you, how much better off we are now, with the people you 'elected in', Tommy boy. You are all pissed off at them, all of you, because you thought it was going to be so different.

The left is all about the power my boys... you both need to go back to class and pay attention this time. The 'not so bright' are the ones who carry the fight to our enemies, while you left wing crybabies sit back and complain about all of the injustice in the world.

Let me tell you, neither one of you are as pissed of at the Republicans as I am, I can assure you. Raven, the 'big money' is flowin' in and it ain't commin' from me. Your remark only confirms that you have the depth of a teaspoon. You don't have a clue about what it means to be Republican. And your not alone. Your buddy there thinks he's got it all figured out.

I crawled out of my hole a long, long time ago Raven and I don't plan on returning. It's gonna' be a dog fight to the bitter end. How bright is the light in your hole?

Posted by: Ted | August 9, 2007 9:37 PM | Report abuse

Anything else tight?

Posted by: Philip V. Riggio | August 9, 2007 9:51 PM | Report abuse

"Why the secrecy?"

Because it's none of your friggin business?

Posted by: upyursliberal | August 10, 2007 12:56 AM | Report abuse

(((LMAO)))

They're tight-lipped because once little Jeri gets her 15 minutes, she's going to dump Fred so fast he wont need plastic surgery to hunt for another little girl. Eyes WWWWWWWIDE shock!

Posted by: Anonymous | August 10, 2007 4:43 PM | Report abuse

"Why the secrecy?"

Coz these pigs have got no morals.

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