It's not "nappy-headed hos," but I'm sure there are some out there who will try to hammer him for this.

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I have no problem with Fred marrying a trophy wife 25 years his junior -- it's one of the perks of being an actor. I just hope he doesn't run on a "traditional family values" platform. Him or Rudy.

Maybe Jeri has a thing for "basset hound-faced" men?

(Nicole: Steve Benen weighed in a post of his own, which I've copied below the fold)

Last week, I had an item detailing the bizarre interest in some media circles with the presidential candidates' (and their spouses') appearance. Apparently, the craziest example hadn't come yet. Consider this exchange on MSNBC this morning, between Joe Scarborough and CQ's Craig Crawford.

SCARBOROUGH: Have you seen Fred Thompson's wife? CRAWFORD: Oh, yeah. SCARBOROUGH: You think she thinks she works the pole? CRAWFORD: That's what a Hollywood career will do for you, I guess. SCARBOROUGH: What do you mean? CRAWFORD: You get wives like that.

I'm not even sure where to start with something like this. This level of misogyny is uncommon among major national media figures, especially on the air.

I can vaguely understand joking about Thompson marrying a much-younger woman. This seems like standard fare for those looking for a cheap laugh related to the presidential race. At the time of their marriage, Thompson was 60; his wife was 35. It's entirely irrelevant, but if someone's looking for something to tease him about, this is going to get some attention.

But even this joke is not about the candidate, but his spouse, who has nothing to do with politics at all.