FlashReport heard today from longtime FR friend, Orange County attorney and veteran presidential adviser, Ken Khachigian, confirming that he had signed aboard the Fred Thompson campaign as a national adviser.
Since I had a chance to ask a couple of question, I started with the obvious one, why Thompson?
“I’ve known Fred for nearly 35 years and, beyond our personal friendship, have always had enormous professional respect for him. Winning the presidency in 2008 will require a candidate who can blend focus, presence, leadership, experience, command, knowledge of issues and an ability to communicate. That pretty much defines Fred Thompson.”
I asked if his decision to back Thompson was a reflection on the other GOP candidates. Ken wouldn’t bite…
“On a bad day, the top tier Republicans are better than any of the Democrats on their best day. Look, I’ve worked for three U.S. Presidents and have been involved in eight presidential campaigns. I’m seeing the next decade as requiring a president who can see around corners… who can come up with the kinds of historic foreign policy initiatives we saw in the ’70s and the economic and tax policy breakthroughs of the ’80s. Thompson has the depth and stature to pull those off.”
I’m sure that we’ll be hearing more from Ken, as a friend of the FlashReport… In the meantime, good luck in your latest endeavor, and, of course, great pick-up for the former Tennessee Senator…