Will Trophy Wife Cost Fred?

May-December romances are standard in Hollywood—just ask Jack Nicholson—but Fred Thompson's sexy, stylish, 25-years-younger wife, Jeri, has the Beltway all abuzz.   Commentators are wondering aloud whether a “trophy” wife—even one who’s a former GOP spokeperson—will  prove a liability for the almost-declared candidate.

Photos of her in tight-fitting gowns have spread on the Internet, and MSNBC commentator Joe Scarborough (inadvertently) compared her to a stripper. But others say the talk is just gossip mongering. “The spouse of the candidate matters in less than 1 out of 100 votes,” says Republican pollster Frank Luntz. "It will have no impact whatsoever.” (More Jeri Kehn Thompson stories.)