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From what I've read, she doesn't like political campaigning and actually expects to continue her practice if she becomes First Lady.

If Dean gets the nomination, it will be interesting to see how the networks and the major media deal with her.

If Dean gets the nomination, it will be interesting to see how the networks and the major media deal with her.

If there should be political advantage in doing so, Dr. Judith Steinberg from New York will become Mrs. Howard Dean from Montpelier.

I wouldn't mind her treating herself to a makeover. Just a new hairstyle would make a huge improvement.

michaelt writes:
From what I've read, she doesn't like political campaigning and actually expects to continue her practice if she becomes First Lady.
If Dean gets the nomination, it will be interesting to see how the networks and the major media deal with her.

Good points, Michael -- more pertinent to this discussion that 95% of the drivel that's been posted so far.

It simply isn't appropriate to criticize Mrs. Dean because of her relatively plain looks, lack of makeup, etc. Less than inappropriate, it's irrelevant.

The relevant - and important - questions are _not_ being asked in this thread.

I sense that the reason Mrs. Dean has not played a visible role in her husband's political life is by _her_ choice, which the Dean campaign respects.

That's OK for the "non-political" wife of a governor, a senator, or a U.S. Congressman. These women can live away from the limelight and political spotlight if they so choose.

A first lady, however, _cannot_. Nor, for that matter, can the wife of a nominated presidential candidate.

Let us turn the tables for a moment, and play the devil's advocate. Suppose it was the wife of a _Republican_ presidential candidate who shied away from the limelight as does Mrs. Dean?

How long before the "mainstream media" would be ALL OVER THIS ISSUE, shouting why, _why_, WHY??

It is revealing of their hypocrisy that they do not ask important questions of Mrs. Dean.

I sense that Mrs Dean may actually be to the political left of her husband (insofar as that's possible), or that some of the aspects of her practice she may wish to keep in shadows. What's her medical specialty?

And does she _really_ believe that -- if Dean is elected president -- she can "keep her practice", remaining in Vermont?

What about the Secret Service? What about the matter of protection of the wife of the President?

How could she possibly practice medicine, which involves seeing patients? The access to the wife of the president must be controlled nearly as strictly as access to the President himself. How would Mrs. Dean maintain an "office", seeing old and new patients, people without clearance to be near the wife of the President? Are the patients going to be issued security clearances for each visit? What about _new_ patients, or referrals?

C'mon, help me out. I just can't see this happening.

The "job" of First Lady is a job in itself at the White House. If Mrs. Dean isn't going to be interested in doing it, or even interested in living _in_ the White House, who _is_?

Cheers!
- John