Fox News holstered its conservative outrage last night just long enough to provide the public with its first extended glimpse of Fred Thompson's hot, comparatively young wife Jeri. Though an experienced backroom political hand who has laid low in her husband's campaign, Thompson has nonetheless gained a national reputation for her Rasputin-like powers and the jarring effect her photograph has had on political nerds in blogs across the Web.

With her first television interview as a prospective first lady (alongside the candidate himself), Jeri Thompson confirmed that she is indeed a pleasing visual counterweight to her husband's Predator-meets-Foghorn Leghorn countenance. Beyond that, viewers weren't permitted to learn much. Two young Thompson toddlers chirped and cooed adorably (hat tip: subtle, Thompson campaign team!) while smarmy attack-bot Sean Hannity interviewed his subjects in a manner suggesting the gentleness of a vicious lion delicately transporting a young cub in its powerful, cavernous jaw.

Thanks to this approach, we learned that the couple loves their children, their country, and met in line at a grocery store as Fred prepared to buy a can of beanie weenies and a tuna sandwich on the fourth of July. As for her role in the campaign, Mrs. Thompson demurred at the idea of playing the attack dog as other candidates' spouses have, claiming instead a desire to focus her energies on the issue of gender equality in Third World countries. Still, it seems doubtful that the ambitious political pro will shy away from any skirmishes during the upcoming electoral brawl. The candidate himself appeared hopeful that she'll be an active participant in the fight, remarking after one of her polished, husband-praising answers, "You're a better politician than I am!"