Another Fred staffer leaves

Posted: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 11:01 AM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
On the eve of Fred Thompson's official annoucement, another campaign communications staffer -- former FOX producer Jim Mills -- is exiting, the Washington Post's Shear reports. This news might not come as a huge surprise, given that Todd Harris and Karen Hanretty have taken control of Team Fred's press shop. But it's yet another staff departure...

Shear writes, "This from campaign manager Bill Lacy in a memo to the staff... 'Our new Communications Director Todd Harris is building an experienced and aggressive team of campaign professionals to help lead our press operation,' Lacy wrote. He added, 'This constitutes a substantial shift, not in our candidate's message, but in the way we support it and enhance it. Due to this shift, Jim Mills has informed me that he is leaving the campaign due to strategic differences. I respect Jim's decision and encourage all of you to join me in wishing him the best of luck.'"

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Comments

FRED THOMPSON, WHO IS THIS "OLD" FART ?

Y (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 11:54 AM)

"This constitutes a substantial shift, not in our candidate's message, but in the way we support it and enhance it."...Does Fred have a message??

PJ (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 11:57 AM)

Well at least fred can charge more on the lecture circut.Let the fights begin off with the gloves boys rudy get your best shots in Macain this is how it is going down like the setting sun,mittiy fred is just going to walk all over you the race is over long live king fred

kenn"George wants you"O) (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 11:58 AM)

Freddy is deaddy. BubyeBubye, thats all folks!

bb (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 12:05 PM)

In the history of the Republican party, during the time that Winston Churchill called waving the bloody shirt, when the Republicans needed a candidate they turned to a retired Army General. Now it appears that they now call Hollywood's central casting.

Robert Stelling, Chandler, AZ (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 12:05 PM)

The down side of Fred Thomson's candidacy is that as long as he is in the running the episodes of L & O in which he appears willnot be run...I can think of a few other reasons but it would be too cruel.

V Wolf,Trenton,NJ (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 12:16 PM)

Thompson is too old to be President. We need a younger President that can look to the future. Not an old man that can only look to the past. People don't really like him, they like the other Republicans less.

Gary (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 12:18 PM)

Someone should be asking if they know something the public should know. I don't get a good feeling about a candidate that can't hold onto help.

nuanced (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 12:19 PM)

Who would hire an actor to be our President? C'mon folks, this is serious business, not a place for a pretendor (actor).

George Smith, Cedar River, Iowa (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 12:28 PM)

hes a dead dud. 2 boring 2 be remembered.

G (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 12:35 PM)

BRAVO, Fred! Heres the NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

Sherry (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 12:39 PM)

I think Fred is a sleeper canidate who will give Rudy a run for the nomination - Either way it is a win win for the party - Rudy or Fred or a Fred and Rudy or Rudy and Fred ticket!!!!!

DJ, Allentown, PA (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 12:57 PM)

Not enough to beat Romney or Rudy. Seems like his makeshift team is pretty much gone, now he has to build from the ground up...but too little too late IMO.

CJ (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 12:57 PM)

If Fred is really in the race I would like to hear what he has to say. He had better have a strong message or he won't gwt my vote. I like a little class and so far Romney is the only class act I have seen.

Mike Manning (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:05 PM)

After they beat each other it will be easy to beat whoever is left standing .Dirty politics that Karl ROve is so fond of will get the republicans going after each other now lets sit back and watch,go fred thanks for adding spice.

kenn"welcome to the jungle"O (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:06 PM)

Its about time the Republicans get a candidate (Thompson) in the race that is worth voting for. Bye Rudy. Bye Romney. Here is the next President of the United States.

Mark Henderson, Littleton,CO (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:09 PM)

I'm listening Fred. Tell us in terms we can all understand and more interest will follow.

Glenna Alm, Hays, KS (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:11 PM)

In answer to George from Iowa; Who would hire an actor to be President? Well, WE DID IT ONCE! Why not again? Anyway, maybe this good ole boy can get the job done. Only one way to find out, tho'.

Cheri, Great Falls, MT (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:12 PM)

All republicans are deaddy just like freddy.
rudy gets the booty
mitts full of s$$t
mccains insane
the rest are not worthy of mention.

Blue state baby (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:13 PM)

FRED IS DONE GONE!!

F StLouis (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:13 PM)

Its about time the Republicans get a candidate (Thompson) in the race that is worth voting for. Bye Rudy. Bye Romney. Here is the next President of the United States...."

Mark Henderson, Littleton,CO (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:09 PM)

...in a new movie coming to a theater near you...lol
Please, please let him be the republican nominee.

Van

vanreuter, NY NY (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:21 PM)

George Smith, you're an idiot...Ronald Reagan was an actor before he became governor then President, and he was the best President EVER!!!!!!!

Red State!! (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:26 PM)

Um...wasn't Ronald Reagan an actor? Bedtime for Bonzo..and stuff.
I like Fred Thompson. I was thrilled when he said he might run for President. But I also have a problem with someone that can't hang onto the help. A previous article actually explained at least in part, this problem. This article was my turning point in my concerns for Thomson taking office as president.
You guys are calling him "old fart" etc. But have you fella's seen his wife? The first time I saw them together I thought, " Wow. Dude stopped stopped the "Fun House for Bonzo" on his way home picked up his own entertainment for the evening. Imagine my surprise!
Anyway..this article says she is the problem. Apparently she looks like 'call 1-900' but she's a real bip to deal with. Money hungry and riding the testosterone gravy train. I guess figure Fred is too exhausted and happy to try and control her.

Annita Clarke Charlotte, NC (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:28 PM)

Seems to me that Reagan was an actor and he did pretty well at being president. I mean we are still reaping the benefits of the Reagan Revolution. Just wait till we reap the benefits of Clinton's 8 Years. Can You say recession? Thank god i bought all that Haliburton stock 7 years ago or I would be broke now. LOL

Do It All Lakewood Colorado (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:28 PM)

TOM DODD FOR PRESIDENT!!
..heh

Annita Clarke (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:29 PM)

Does anyone really think that a rerun of Law and Order or some film Thompson made in the past 20+ years would hurt his opponents? People don't listen to what the candidates say for the most part anyway. They vote without knowledge of what the candidate really stands for and without understanding the implication of their vote. How else can we explain the illogical votes cast for the Shrub in the past 2 Presidential elections?

Brian Johnson, Tucson, AZ (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:29 PM)

Who would hire an actor to be our President? C'mon folks, this is serious business, not a place for a pretendor (actor).
George Smith, Cedar River, Iowa (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 12:28 PM)

RONALD REAGAN RING BELL

R J (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:30 PM)

Um...wasn't Ronald Reagan an actor? Bedtime for Bonzo..and stuff.
I like Fred Thompson. I was thrilled when he said he might run for President. But I also have a problem with someone that can't hang onto the help. A previous article actually explained at least in part, this problem. This article was my turning point in my concerns for Thomson taking office as president.
You guys are calling him "old fart" etc. But have you fella's seen his wife? The first time I saw them together I thought, " Wow. Dude stopped the "Fun House for Bonzo" on his way home picked up his own entertainment for the evening. Imagine my surprise!
Anyway..this article says she is the problem. Apparently she looks like 'call 1-900' but she's a real bip to deal with. Money hungry and riding the testosterone gravy train. I guess figure Fred is too exhausted and happy to try and control her.

Annita Clarke Charlotte, NC (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:31 PM)

amen to that Do It All lakewood Colorado, you've hit the nail on the head. Reagan is my hero and thank goodness for capitalism or I too would be broke. If we get another clinton in the office we can all hide from the RED HAMMER.

E2 (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:37 PM)

if that is the best then we are doomed

noomie va mn (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:41 PM)

Reagan WAS an actor. That's why he needed George Sr and Nancy:) But with George Jr. in office, I'm happy I decided to start selling burial insurance 6 years ago. It's finally starting to pay off! lehol!

The Yokes On U (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:41 PM)

Yeah right Regan didi a good job snowing you over-the 1980 Ronald Reagan presidential campaign had conspired with Islamic Republic of Iran to delay the release of 52 Americans held hostage in Tehran until after the 1980 U.S. Presidential election. In exchange for their cooperation, the United States would supply weapons to Iran as well as unfreeze Iran's monetary assets being held by the US government.
We don't need another actor and for those of you so in love with Reagan I hope you join him soon; because your brains are as dead as he is.

Tampa,FL (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:45 PM)

Nancy Reagan was the best president ever! Ronnie was OTL most of the time.

IMPEACG BUSH AND CHENEY (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:48 PM)

We need another actor to lie to us and tell us everything is going to be ok. All of the liberal media is telling us the world is coming to and end and all is lost when the exact opposite is true. Lets focus on the positive and maybe just maybe the the negative people will not win.

Do It All Lakewood Colorado (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:48 PM)

why not fred do we really have any good choices, or maybe just vote for a democrat. aren't we really just voting for actors anyway thats what they all are anyway just reading the scripts...

Belinda Middleton, Putnam, Texas (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:54 PM)

has anyone checked to see if fred still has a pulse? this cat looks worse everytime I see him, his trophy wife looks ok though

MK,MO (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 2:09 PM)

E2 another cut and run republican like reagun when he cut and run from lebanon,Bush administration blamed that and somoalia as reasons bin laden felt we were weak and could attack a little bipartinship blame leave it to Bush to bring both parties together as long as nobody Blames bush or his team we are all together

kenn"I knew the republicans shared the blame it was reagun"O (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 2:11 PM)

The reason Fred would never make as good a president as Reagan is because he only played one role. Reagan could play anything, a soldier, a cowboy, a business man, even a football player.

Blue state baby (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 3:18 PM)

Well, if Freddy's the up-and-coming 'star' then why all the quitters?

I agree with MK - Fred looks like he's in need of a ventilator soon.

M. Boley (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 3:26 PM)

Well, I've read all the comments with much interest. Love your straight-forward thoughts, and your 'side humor' too. I believe it is true that until recently, we may not have given deep thought to, or questioned, or even really remembered what candidates said by the time we hit the voting machine. Perhaps that's why our ship is being dragged out to sea now...tail first and head in the wind. We don't know what or whom to believe. It would do us all good if THIS TIME, we pay attention, ask the hard questions, and vote with conscience - not party favor. Our future as a whole is at stake, and we are all in this boat together.

Dianne McNair, Fort Washington, Maryland (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 3:29 PM)

For you Thompson supporters...looks like FoxNews didn't appreciate the snub. They are using their patented editorial bias against him in their articles. Here is an snippet.

"The moves mark a stark contrast to what earlier campaign officials had planned and advised him to do and give another reason for why Thompson appears to be losing his core of original supporters at a quickening pace."

CJ (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 3:40 PM)

And there is more love from Fox, Mills seems to be headed out too. Yup this plane is in for a crash takeoff.

"There are more major resignations of founding Fred heads looming over the way the "new media strategy" was supplanted by a "corporate" and "predictable" approach. They also are protesting the way so many people have been treated by the candidate and spouse."

CJ (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 3:44 PM)

FRED IS MORE MOOT THAN MITT!!!!!

HOT DAM (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 3:45 PM)

I grew watching Reagan...he was a nice guy and a competent president who weathered the natural end of the Cold War without pushing the button and that's about it. I also remember trickle down economics, defeciets, and Iran Contra. After Nixon and Carter I guess that would give the GOP fond memories. I don't understand why people want to idolize politicians..but I guess that's how baby boomers and older gen X'ers are. That's why Shrub is in office. Thompson wouldn't win an election but it's suprising to see people automatically throw loyalty to him b/c he reminds them of a past president in profession only....forget platform or competency. No..don't even have to debate, just throw him in there b/c he drives a pick-up and has a southern accent. Is that even sane.

CJ (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 3:59 PM)

What's the problem with actors in government? Time to face reality, kiddies. 95% of your politicians are nothing but second rate actors. Their staff people write their speeches, and they read them in front of the cameras. Other than that, they spend most of their time in photo ops, or pandering for re-election money from the special interests and puppetmasters who pull their strings. Show me a politician who writes his own speeches, and speaks his own mind, and I'll vote for him....or her.

Don Bo Virginia Beach, VA (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 4:34 PM)

Yeah, you don't wanna piss off the suits at Faux News, that's for sure! :P

Well, looks like Freddy is toast.

M. Boley (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 5:00 PM)

Fred waited to long to enter the race and he won't enter into debates. I'm not going to vote for a guy who won't debate.
Google "Ron Paul" to find a real republican

Michele (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 5:02 PM)

We had one actor for president (remember Iran Contra) what makes you think Freddie Boy won't f$&@ up as bad ad Ronnie Boy. PLEASE NOT ANOTHER ACTOR!!!

Anutkraker, TX (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 5:03 PM)

So new hampshire is peooed at Fred---quite a snub---I think he is just old and frightened-------he did have on a great pair of Gucci loafers at the Iowa fair----

HMT-MI (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 6:12 PM)

Mills isn't the only one with differences regarding FT. Thompson isn't lazy, he is cheap! He gets publicity by swinging on the coat tails of both republicans and democrats brave enough to stand up and say, I'm running for President and I campaign for the office! Thompson refuses to be seen with other candidates at the Fox debate and yet he issues all kinds of statements issues the day of the debate to get free publicity. He's a cheap shot, just like Bush.

M. D. Peckham, Concord, CA. (Sent Wednesday, September 05, 2007 7:25 PM)

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