Dole Institute director joins campaign

Monday, August 13, 2007

The director of the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics will take a leave of absence to become the committee manager of a presidential exploratory committee for former Sen. Fred Thompson.

The director, Bill Lacy, will join Friends of Fred Thompson, a “testing the waters committee.” The committee measures public support and finances to consider the possibility of a presidential campaign.

Linda Rozett of Friends of Fred Thompson said the committee was excited to work with Lacy. The committee was aware of his success with past political campaigns.

Lacy has served as the GOP national political director in 1984, the White House political director for President Ronald Reagan and a strategist for U.S. Sen. Bob Dole. In 1994, Lacy worked as a manager for Senator Thompson’s senate campaign.

“Senator Thompson was behind 20 points in the polls in 1994,” Rozett said. “Bill joined and made the campaign have a complete turnaround, and Senator Thompson was elected.”

Chancellor Robert Hemenway also supported Lacy in his new role with the committee. Hemenway commended Lacy’s work in a press release.

“Bill has been an extraordinary leader and visionary for the institute so it’s no wonder Fred Thompson is seeking his services again,” Hemenway said in the release.

Liz Stuewe, Lawrence senior, said the news that Lacy was leaving the Dole Institute was still sinking in. As a member of the Dole Institute of Politics Advisory Board, Stuewe worked closely with Lacy on events such as “Pizza and Politics” and political study groups.

“Bill has such a great rapport with the students,” Stuewe said. “He is so friendly and involved that I wasn’t surprised at all that he joined the committee.”

In a letter attached to the press release, Lacy mentioned the importance of being involved in politics.

“You have heard me speak often of the need for all Americans to take a greater role in politics and their community,” Lacy wrote. “I am taking a leave of absence to fulfill a public service obligation.”

Since joining the Dole Institute in 2004, Lacy has organized notable speakers such as Gen. Richard Myers, Sen. Howard Baker, former Secretary of State Madeline Albright and other well-known political and military leaders and journalists.

— Edited by Dianne Smith

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