Papa’s Little Fred-Head Hams It Up

Christine Byun reports: Four year-old Hayden Thompson knows all her “papa’s” lines.

Republican candidate Fred Thompson stood in front of a boisterous audience at the Sticky Fingers BBQ restaurant with his wife, Jeri, and two young children at his side. He started his stump speech with a familiar joke: “I asked her the other day if she knows her mother’s middle name. She said, ‘Yeah, Jeri Lynn Thompson.’ And I said, ‘Wow, that’s pretty good, do you know your papa’s middle name?’ And she said …”

“Fred ’08 Thompson!” chirped Hayden.

Thompson often uses the joke at different campaign stops and usually doesn’t have his comic sidekick accompanying him. He laughed along with audience: “Fred ’08 Thompson … she’s already jumping my punchlines!”

While the former senator was touring a gun show, Hayden spent the morning playing princess with a group of other girls at a local children’s museum. Baby Sammy –- making a rare campaign trail appearance –- ran around in the toddler’s playground, chasing plastic balls.

Mrs. Thompson chatted with other mothers as she walked from room to room, following Hayden.

“We’re in trouble if he doesn’t take naps,” Mrs. Thompson said, as she held Sammy. “But he likes to stay up late. He’s a night person, just like Papa.”