THE FRED FILE: MONEY AND THE JERI FACTOR

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I couldn't continue adding updates to the below post, so I just made a new one. This story had enough new material to constitute a separate piece. A few relevant quotes:

Sources close to the presumptive campaign tell NBC News that Fred Thompson's fundraising is down "markedly." One claimed it has "slowed down big-time." The pace is described as a consequence of the delayed announcement to enter the race.

"The Friends of Fred, Inc." will report to the IRS its revenue by July 31st. Sources reveal to NBC News that number will be in the range of about $3 million. Five million dollars had been the talked-about June goal. Sources describe an early burst of donations in June and say the summer fundraising has fallen off. While additional fundraisers are planned, sources say the scheduling of fundraisers was "frozen" for a time while the team was going through some internal strains.

I wonder what those "internal strains" might involve? Forgetting or misleading about pro-abortion lobbying, for starters.

Trouble fundraising as a result of indecision. What a surprise? He's struggling to pull the trigger? Why wouldn't his donors do the same? Now, for the Jeri Factor:

Some sources describe the role of the presumed candidate's wife, Jeri, as vast and powerful. Sources say "she's integrally involved in every decision" and that Fred Thompson has "set it up so everything goes through her." Critically, that was cast as "running it like a congressional campaign" and from the "kitchen table."

Sources also describe Jeri favorably as smart, and that her level of involvement could be an asset. However, they also claim she is "reluctant" to shift to the eventual front-stage role she would have to assume as the candidate's spouse with her own events and public responsibilities. An interpretation of Jeri's role was described as a "scattershot management style" that "lacks prioritization."

At present, those close to the planning say Jeri is involved in hiring, salaries, schedule, office assignments at the two headquarters, and small details like the color of bumper stickers. Some sources defend her, adding that "it's easy to say she's controlling things." Sources describe that she, like many in Washington, knows many people in politics. They acknowledge Jeri meets with and interviews senior staff candidates and is clearly a key adviser.

Just what is Jeri's role? "Scattershot management style" sounds like Dick Cheney in a board room. "Friends of Fred, Inc." appears to have too many friends or cooks in the kitchen.

Mitt Romney, in contrast, has proven leadership skills. There's no question whom all the decisions go through in his camp. Definitely, he's got his able team, but he's the man! Doesn't appear the same for Fred.