Posted on 08/10/2007 6:03:14 PM PDT by bruinbirdman
JUDITH GIULIANI likes to have an empty seat next to her on the campaign plane for “Baby Louis”—her Louis Vuitton handbag. Jeri Thompson is a “trophy wife” with a taste for low-cut dresses and gold-lamé wedge sandals. Ann Romney has five children and ten grandchildren. Elizabeth Kucinich sports a tongue-stud.
These are just a small sample of titbits about would-be first ladies culled from the press. There is nothing new in Americans taking an interest in the spouses of potential presidents, or in the media being cruel to them. How better to find out about a person's true nature than to observe their mate? And it is hardly surprising that they should be fascinated by Bill Clinton. Mr Clinton is potentially both America's first first husband and the first ex-two-term president to make it back into the White House. He is also, shall we say, a larger-than-life figure in his own right.
But the level of interest in the spouses goes far beyond anything observed before. The current Vanity Fair has a long hit-piece on Mrs Giuliani, and Elizabeth Edwards, who has incurable cancer, is getting better reviews than her husband.
One reason for all the interest is Republican hypocrisy. Mitt Romney, a Mormon and the great-grandson of a polygamist, is in fact one of the few Republicans who has stayed married to the same woman, his high-school sweetheart. Rudy Giuliani is on his third marriage, as is his wife, and has strained relations with his children. Cindy McCain and Mrs Thompson are both second wives who are, respectively, 18 and 24 years younger than their husbands. Newt Gingrich, a perpetual possible candidate, is also on his third marriage.
Old-fashioned human interest plays a part, of course. Mrs Edwards and Mrs Romney are both struggling against dreadful diseases—multiple sclerosis in Mrs Romney's case. Mrs McCain was once addicted to painkillers. The Giulianis had a year-long affair before Hizzoner announced their relationship to the world—and to a surprised Mrs Giuliani the second—at a news conference. Mrs Kucinich, 29, is a lithe redhead who likes quoting from the movie “Kama Sutra”. How did the diminutive and unprepossessing Mr Kucinich (60) get so lucky?
The biggest reason for all the coverage, however, is that the spouses are upfront partners-in-power. Most of them are career women who are used to getting their voices heard. Mrs Edwards is a former lawyer. Michelle Obama first met the young Barack when she was assigned to mentor him at their law firm. Mrs Thompson was a former spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee.
All these formidable women are now criss-crossing the country making speeches and raising money. Mr Giuliani has made his wife a campaign consultant. Mrs Thompson is widely regarded as the fire in her husband's belly; she presides over every detail of her husband's nascent campaign, from interviewing potential staffers to choosing the colours for the bumper-stickers. Mrs Romney became her husband's most vocal (indeed, his only) defender when America learned that he had once packed the family dog on the roof of his car for a 12-hour journey.
As for Mrs Edwards, she is almost a co-candidate. She weighs in on big policy decisions, and has encouraged her husband to speak from the heart rather than running a cautious, consultant-driven campaign. She is a familiar face in Iowa and New Hampshire, and has not hesitated to lay into both Ann Coulter, a right-wing polemicist, and Hillary Clinton.
The growing role of candidates' spouses raises tricky questions. How do they fit in with the rest of the campaign? Mrs Edwards often overshadows her husband. She also has much more liberal views on gay marriage. Mrs Giuliani's expensive ways and high-handed habits are providing grist for her husband's enemies. Mrs Thompson's imperious style has led to the departure of the campaign manager and other functionaries.
And what will they do if they get into the White House? It is unlikely that such politically savvy women will be content with just handing out the canapés. Mr Giuliani has even declared that he will allow his wife to sit in on cabinet meetings. But can presidents be relied on to tell their wives when they are messing up? And should such unelected figures be given big responsibilities? Mrs Clinton's health-care plan was one of the biggest disasters of her husband's presidency; she was eventually reduced to producing books about the first pets, Socks and Buddy.
No more first housewife But two things are clear in the swirling debate about the spouses. First, there is little chance, in a world of assortative mating, female careers and political power-couples, of a return to the model of the first-lady-as-first-housewife. That model was always a bit of an illusion. Bess Truman may have stayed at home in Missouri, and Mamie Eisenhower may have turned the lamb chops while Ike ran the country. But Woodrow Wilson's wife, Edith, helped run the country when he was ill. Eleanor Roosevelt was a force of Nature. Betty Ford was outspoken on everything from abortion to marijuana use. Ronald Reagan called Nancy his closest adviser. Traditional spouses like Laura Bush have always been hard to find.
It is clear, too, that the big winners from the debate will be the couple who pioneered the “two-for-one” model of the presidency. The array of second and third wives on the Republican side makes it more difficult for the Republicans to dwell on Mr Clinton's indiscretions (at least the couple stayed together). The Giulianis will provide a particularly rich target in any tit-for-tat claims of spousal abuse. And the fact that all the candidates are giving their partners a big role in their campaigns makes it less remarkable that Mrs Clinton is relying on the former president. The gods are smiling on the Clintons once again.
Barf me out.
There have been several colorful first ladies. Dolly Madison was well-known for, among other things, being very built (since this is a family-friendly site, I won’t elaborate).
Of all the first ladies, Hillary Clinton was the worst.
>How better to find out about a person’s true nature than to observe their mate?
Cough. Bullsh*t.
Elizabeth Kucinich sports a tongue-stud.Is that what all the Daily Kos Ho's are calling him these days, a tongue-stud?
it diverts attention from the sleaziest spouse of them all...now who that might be?
America learned that he had once packed the family dog on the roof of his car for a 12-hour journeyAt least he didn't drive off forgetting it was still tied to the bumper.
>>>>As for Mrs Edwards, she is almost a co-candidate>>>>>
That’s about right. She is almost immune to attacks what with her cancer and all, so she is on point to — repeatedly — remind us that her husband is not a fag, but he is too a real man!
Seems to me that a two-term limit to a presidency combined with a two-for-one presidency during the two clinton terms, Hilary! should not technically be eligible to serve as president.
Its obvious that their spouses are going to be an with the exception of Romney. Some of these age gaps are ridiculous. I dont think Guiliani and his wife are an unusually large age gap; they have other issues. Some of the others appear foolish. I think even McCain’s wife is 19 years younger as he is 70 years old now. Then again in the category of ridiculous relationships look at Bill & Hill. He has completely slimmed down and rumoured to be out with the women again.
Whats a titbit?
Not more Hillary BS Please!!!!!.....She is everywhere I tell yeh!!!!!!........We are doomed I tell yeh!!!!....
When on earth did this sort of thing stop being a disqualification for candidacy in the Republican party? They just decided to go moderate I suppose?? Not the base though, and I think, at least IMO, that is a big mistake.
If people here insist on worshiping celebs rather than the real conservatives, we’re going to have to except some controversial spouses.
Not very far for me.
The most disgusting woman in the history of The United States of America.
I think Roslynn Carter was a pretty close second. No class with that one.
Good for you. I think that’s a wonderful insight. We should investigate if everyone agrees that Hitlery were co-president then she can not run.
“One reason for all the interest is Republican hypocrisy.”
Ah just throw it out there with no further elaboration as if it were just a given. Dontcha love the liberal press?
When a large portion of the American people became totally depraved, mere adultery and divorce became relatively virtuous. At least none of these candidates are a pedophile (I hope!).
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