Dean's wife Judith Steinberg Makes Rare Outdoor Appearance

Redding News ^ | November 2, 2003 | nwrep

[nwrep]

Howard Dean's wife Judith Steinberg accompanies Dean and their son Paul to a courtroom hearing last month. This was a rare public appearance by the former first lady of Vermont. Shown at right is a publicity photo released by the Dean Campaign.

[HitmanLV]

So for many women, cheap shots about the looks of a lady who so far has the image of being quiet, hard working, stay in the background, and apolitical is perceived as an attack on their looks, demeanor, and image.

I really can't agree here. I know in my life, women have been more brutal about mocking other women's looks than men are. How many women do you actually know?

[Mo1]

She is the only one in the family making an honest living. Dad is a bloodsucking politician and sonny is ripping off country club liquor lockers. Legal talent is expensive.

Kind of reminds me of the Clinton family, except for the honest living part

[F.J. Mitchell]

LOL! Poor Phylis. They took me home in a doggy bag.

[Nita Nupress]

And of course, we'll make an exception for you, Pardek. In fact, we may even pay YOU to post because you 'flow' so well. :-)

[Diddle E. Squat]

Apparently more than you. You don't realize the double-standard, that in general women react differently to hearing another female mock a lady's look, as compared to a man doing so?

[Calvin Locke]

...to change her name.

If I'm not mistaken, the name on an MD degree is sort of engraved in stone. Can't change it and still be able to get
a license to practice medicine.

I heard that the many people get their names changed before they graduate from med school. The busiest time for it, actually.

Haven't you ever wondered about doctors' names and their specialites?

[Syncro]

LOL...She has a grate sense of Humor that Diller.

And BTW, my post 19 is the same as post 20, I stuttered and posted twice...

[Syncro]

Oh dang, I won't be able to afford to post anymore...Thanks a lot!

LOL

[F.J. Mitchell]

That's flow discrimination, Nita.

[af_vet_1981]

Thank you Dr. for taking a stand for what is right.

[browardchad]

Who in their right mind would want to do the kind of stuff that spouses of candidates have to do. To me, that would be pure hell.

It goes with the territory, and the marriage -- unless, of course, Dean became a candidate against her wishes.

I think the question of why she is not seen in public very often is a legitimate one, considering the family secret that Dukakis was hiding, and the fact that First Ladies are necessarily part of the package, whether they like it or not.

[Queen Jadis]

Is she out of the limeligh because she is busy with her own career, or is she out of the limelight because Dean wants to keep her under wraps?

There is no denying that she is an unattractive woman. She dresses nicely so in that way she looks presentable. Of course you do not need to be attractive to be a doctor. However good looks helps most careers. It is unusual to see a pairing of a relatively handsome man with an unattractive woman. Why do you think he would want to keep her under wraps (if that is indeed what he is doing)?

[michaelt]

I'm not offended - I've done it myself. But it can be taken too far, and to say so doesn't mean I'm politically correct. I hate political correctness.

But I guess the larger point is that the Democrats often resort to personal attacks, attacks on looks, etc. because they've got nothing else - they don't know how to argue, and they don't have good arguments. They have to attack motives or looks or religion or whatever.

We don't need to resort to that.

Disparaging someone's looks can be fun, it can be all in good fun, like I've said I've given in to the temptation many times, but then we shouldn't complain then when people make fun of Bush's ears, or speech patterns, Linda Tripp's looks, etc.

And I think the bigger issue regarding Dr.Steinberg/Mrs. Dean is her lack of presence on the campaign trail, why that is, and what that means for Dean's campaign and their expectations on what they expect life in the White House to be like.

[Loyalist]

If I'm not mistaken, the name on an MD degree is sort of engraved in stone. Can't change it and still be able to get a license to practice medicine.

Incorrect. My sister practiced medicine for 2 1/2 years under her maiden name (before her marriage to another doctor), and now practices under her married name.

[Syncro]

Looks like Affirmative Action to me...

[Miss Marple]

She has never been involved in politics, since Dean was originally a lieutenant governor who became governor due to the death of his predecesor.

However, most men who had wives who kept their own careers brag about it. Susan Bayh worked for Eli Lily's legal department, until she became pregnant with their twins. Lynn Cheney has always had a separate career. And of course, let's not forget about Hillary Clinton and her "career." In all these cases the spouse has been quite visible.

On the other hand, Dr. Steinberg is almost invisible. No real touting of her accomplishements by the Dean campaign. No interviews. Nothing.

I am forced to conclude that the Dean campaign views her as a negative asset, and as such are keeping her under wraps.

By the way, another who has done this is John Edwards, who had NO pictures of his wife available. Word from North Carolina is that he finally sent her to a fat farm.

I think it is interesting when one contrasts it with the treatment of someone like Barbara Bush. There is no doubt that Mrs. Bush looks somewhat older than the former president. She isn't at all glamorous. But he is proud of her and had her right out there campaigning with her.

The way Dr. Steinberg and Mrs. Edwards are treated reflects on the shallowness of their husbands and of the campaign managers, in my opinion.

[demkicker]

Disparaging someone's looks can be fun, it can be all in good fun, like I've said I've given in to the temptation many times, but then we shouldn't complain then when people make fun of Bush's ears, or speech patterns, Linda Tripp's looks, etc.

You won't find me complaining.

And I think the bigger issue regarding Dr.Steinberg/Mrs. Dean is her lack of presence on the campaign trail, why that is, and what that means for Dean's campaign and their expectations on what they expect life in the White House to be like.

Dollars to donuts she's not on the campaign trail because of her looks. There, I said it and probably offended you again.... Sorry.

[AmishDude]

Yes, I wonder if Howard is the stable, even-tempered one in that family.

[reg45]

Why are her appearances rare?

Vampires don't like sunlight!

[JohnnyZ]

No comments from the PC crowd on good Senator Edwards, who sent his wife away to Fat Camp to prepare for his presidential bid?

There's a sensitive male for ya . . .