August 29, 2007
Posted: 08:21 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Friends of Fred Thompson committee has moved swiftly to replace Linda Rozett, who resigned from the campaing earlier this week.

Thompson's new communications director is Todd Harris.  In 2000, Harris was traveling press secretary and spokesman for Arizona Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign.  In 2002, Harris was the communications director and spokesman for Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's reelection campaign.  In 2003, Harris was a communications strategist for Arnold Schwarzenegger's successful California gubernatorial campaign.

Thompson, a former U.S. Senator from Tennessee, is expected to formally launch his 2008 presidential bid around Labor Day.

–CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart

Filed under: Fred Thompson


Tricia M Charlottetown PEI   September 1st, 2007 12:09 am ET

Now if there was just someone to replace Thompson! Someone that could actually get a vote I mean.

Rick, Chicago Illinois   August 31st, 2007 8:47 am ET

Pretty soon, there'll be nobody left to replace but himself.

David, Salinas, CA   August 30th, 2007 9:54 am ET

The resignations in the Thompson campaign are widely believed to be the result of clashes with Thompson’s wife Jeri, herself a high paid Washington political consultant. Jeri Thompson has a reputation for not working well with others.

I wouldn’t write the campaign off so soon, though. Thompson is a skilled performer and he’s staked out the hard conservative line. Since the other leading GOP contenders all have their own flaws, (Giuliani’s lack of national experience, liberal social positions, and personal issues; McCain’s courageous but politically problematic position on immigration; and Romney’s long record of flip-flops on multiple issues), the race is still wide open. If Thompson keeps playing the fear card (illegal alien gay terrorists are coming to take your guns and your cigarettes) he’ll get some votes in Iowa and South Carolina. He’s in second place in the national polls right now, behind Giuliani, but ahead of Romney and McCain.

Pat, Huntington Station, NY   August 30th, 2007 9:50 am ET

Hopefully with someone who'll tell him to butt out of politics and return to his day job…acting.

Tony, Enterprise, Alabama   August 30th, 2007 7:55 am ET

Amazing, former Senator Thompson forms an exploratory committee and everyone starts to keep track of him.

By my reckoning he still hasn't announced, but is working on his fourth campaign staff. Does this mean that his executive skills are so well developed that he doesn't need a staff? Or more believable, that he doesn't know how to hire a staff.

Yes Lord, we need someone like that for President…oh, sorry guess that is what we had the last 6 plus years…

Myron, Honolulu, Hi   August 30th, 2007 12:14 am ET

Is this guy even running? or just collecting fund raising money?

Lance, Monrovia, CA   August 29th, 2007 10:50 pm ET

I'm glad to see that his wonderful, inspiring campaign is really picking up speed. This is maybe the third person to resign in a few weeks.

He's imploding.

Anonymous   August 29th, 2007 10:30 pm ET

He is not even running. Why does he get attention?

James in Shanghai   August 29th, 2007 10:18 pm ET

I give Thompson 3 weeks before his newly appointment communications director (or any other staff, for that matter) submits their letter of resignation.

All the resignations from the Thomspson campaign are pretty obvious signs that there's something about him that people don't like. And this is all happening before he even announces his candidacy.

Maybe that's just it….maybe all the resignations are because they don't see Thompson as having the drive to actually get things done. It's taken him almost 6 months to announce his candidacy…how long will it take him to fulfill his responsibilities if elected president?

Nobody wants a lazy president who lacks organization and drive.

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