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CNN’s Carol Costello: Cindy McCain ‘Stepford Wife’
NewsBusters ^ | May 22, 2008 | Matthew Balan

Posted on 05/22/2008 4:35:00 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

CNN correspondent Carol Costello compared Cindy McCain to a "Stepford Wife" due to her "low key" role in her husband’s campaign so far, in a segment on Wednesday’s "The Situation Room." Costello, detailing Mrs. McCain’s recent photo spread in Vogue magazine, stated the feature "projects an image quite unlike the Cindy McCain we see on the trail," and a talking head described this "Cindy McCain we see" as "low key... taking the traditional role of standing by her husband's side at events." Costello then quipped, "A role critics say makes Mrs. McCain look like -- well, Glenn Close in the movie ‘The Stepford Wives.’" [audio available here]

On the other hand, Costello described Michelle Obama’s Vogue spread more glowingly: "...Michelle Obama chose a traditional black dress with pearl earrings for her Vogue spread. As The Washington Post described it, it was if Michelle Obama was saying 'I am not some scary other.... I am Camelot with a tan.'"

Twice in her report, Costello emphasized that most people "don't really know much about Cindy McCain," except that she’s "really, really rich." After making this point the second time, Costello continued by bringing up the issue of Mrs. McCain’s tax returns. "What voters do know about her -- well, she's enormously wealthy, and she says she won't release her tax returns ever -- which says to voters, you're not one of us -- hence Vogue and the jeans."

Costello followed this portrayal of Cindy McCain by comparing it to Michelle Obama’s Vogue spread. "Interestingly, while Cindy McCain chose jeans for her Vogue spread, her likely competitor, Michelle Obama, chose a traditional black dress with pearl earrings for her Vogue spread. As The Washington Post described it, it was if Michelle Obama was saying 'I am not some scary other.... I am Camelot with a tan.'" The Washington Post quotation came from a May 18 piece by Robin Givhan which described the two Vogue features. In her article, Givhan also used the "Stepford wife" term.

Let’s get this straight: Mrs. McCain’s refusal to release her tax returns makes her some kind of elitist, but Michelle Obama, the millionaire, wearing a "traditional black dress with pearl earrings" is an attempt to connect with average voters? As if we needed another indication that CNN leans towards the Obamas.

The full transcript of Carol Costello’s segment, which first ran at the end of the 6 pm hour of Wednesday’s "The Situation Room:"

WOLF BLITZER: John McCain's wife Cindy is taking center stage in a whole new way. She's featured in a spread in Vogue magazine -- a move possibly aimed at a very specific goal. Let's go back to Carol. She's looking at this story for us. What are you seeing, Carol? What are you hearing?

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, you know, most of us don't really know much about Cindy McCain, except she's really, really rich. But if you take a peak at Vogue magazine, you may get a more well-rounded view.

COSTELLO (voice-over): Ooh la-la -- Cindy McCain in Vogue magazine looks spectacular, lounging at her seaside condo, sans John McCain -- feet bare, wearing size zero jeans. She projects an image quite unlike the Cindy McCain we see on the campaign trail.

SUSAN MACMANUS, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA: So far, Cindy McCain has been low-key. She's been sort of taking the traditional role of standing by her side -- her husband's side at events and clapping and smiling and being supportive of her husband.

COSTELLO: A role critics say makes Mrs. McCain look like -- well, Glenn Close in the movie 'The Stepford Wives.'

GLENN CLOSE (from "THE STEPFORD WIVES"): Well, that's all marvelous.

GLORIA ROEMER, REPUBLICAN CONSULTANT: Well, you know, there's that saying that's been going on for years, you know, don't hate me because I'm beautiful. And that may apply here, because, you know, she is very attractive. You know, she can't help it.

COSTELLO: Roemer says Mrs. McCain's exterior belies who she really is. Mrs. McCain isn't perfect. She suffered a stroke four years ago and worked hard to overcome its affects. She donates tons of time and money to charitable causes. What voters do know about her -- well, she's enormously wealthy, and she says she won't release her tax returns ever -- which says to voters, you're not one of us -- hence Vogue and the jeans.

MACMANUS: Jeans are as all-American as apple pie, and in the fashion world, no matter what they look like, they're in fashion, and so it's no surprise that Cindy McCain would choose a spread with jeans and a nice shirt.

COSTELLO: Interestingly, while Cindy McCain chose jeans for her Vogue spread, her likely competitor, Michelle Obama, chose a traditional black dress with pearl earrings for her Vogue spread. As The Washington Post described it, it was if Michelle Obama was saying 'I am not some scary other.... I am Camelot with a tan.' Whether these images will sway voters one way or another remains to be seen. But we're still in the 'getting to know you' stage.

COSTELLO (on-camera): And, in short, expect both would-be First Ladies to be much more visible in the near future, so you can get to know them -- Wolf.

BLITZER: All right, thanks very much. I'm looking forward to reading that article and seeing the pictures. Carol, see you tomorrow.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Extended News; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; cindymccain; elections; idiotsinmedia; mccain; michelleobama; obama; pl
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To: potlatch

You’re welcome again potlatch


101 posted on 05/23/2008 6:01:45 PM PDT by devolve ( -- -The_Project_Islamic_Hope_website_banner no_longer_features_Barack_Hussein_Obama_Junior)
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To: FARS

Thanks, FARS.

I am not taking it lightly. The woman and her associates scare me.

A Freudian slip, perhaps?


102 posted on 05/23/2008 6:02:14 PM PDT by Rushmore Rocks
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To: devolve

I would start a “Thank You - You’re Welcome” thread but I have to run to the store!! Sorry, lol.


103 posted on 05/23/2008 6:06:58 PM PDT by potlatch (MICHELLE OBAMA - The gift that just keeps on giving....!)
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To: Rushmore Rocks
A Freudian slip, perhaps?

A peek into the soul.

104 posted on 05/23/2008 6:07:30 PM PDT by Golden Eagle
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To: FARS

I have pointed out as early as Feb 5 2008, that were Obambi to select Hillary as VP he would be Arkancided on or shortly after Jan 20 2011. Enough time so that she will get to run for re-election twice and be president for 10 years.


105 posted on 05/23/2008 6:10:00 PM PDT by Ouderkirk (DemocRATS....the party of Slavery, Segregation, Secularism, and Sedition)
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To: Michael.SF.

Great graphic!~


106 posted on 05/23/2008 6:26:27 PM PDT by Rebelbase (McCain: The Third Bush Term ?)
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To: Golden Eagle

.....”a peek into the soul”......

It may be so.


107 posted on 05/23/2008 6:30:23 PM PDT by Rushmore Rocks
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To: Liz
It's a good thing conservatives are really, really nice compassionate people. Conservatives are s-o-o-o-o nice----we would not even mention that Cindy was arrested a few years ago for ripping off a non-profit "medical charity" she founded.

I went to your link and it reads only like the musings of a disgruntled loser motivated by grand extortion dreams and grandiose delusional schemes.

108 posted on 05/23/2008 6:31:51 PM PDT by higgmeister (In the Shadow of The Big Chicken — in the Gem City of the South!)
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To: FARS

Yikes !!!!!


109 posted on 05/23/2008 6:53:33 PM PDT by Irish Eyes
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To: FARS
"Don’t take the Hillary “assassination” remark about Obama too lightly http://noiri.blogspot.com/2008/05/hitlery-infers-obama-may-be.html"

You could be right.

But it's also worth considering that if she were planning an assassination, making a remark like this one would be beyond stupid. And whatever else she is -- including cruel, ruthless and evil -- Hillary Clinton isn't stupid.

110 posted on 05/23/2008 6:59:57 PM PDT by Bokababe ( http://www.savekosovo.org)
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To: Sir_Ed
"Yup...she’s a drug addict who ripped off pills from a clinic, then ruined the person who tattled on her.

Plus, she committed adultery with McCain when he was married to his first wife...the one that raised his kids when he was in a POW camp, fought fiercely for the POW’s and then was in a horrible accident.

What happened to conservatives believing people had to have higher moral standards than pill-popping, thieving adulteresses???

I don’t get it...it’s like we dare not voice Truth anymore."

I am with you there.

My cousin sent me this "glowing" email on "modest Cindy", and I gave him an earful!

111 posted on 05/23/2008 7:05:08 PM PDT by Bokababe ( http://www.savekosovo.org)
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To: FARS

Man, that is a longer list than I remember.


112 posted on 05/23/2008 7:26:58 PM PDT by The Mayor ("A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" (Prov. 16:9))
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Mrs Cindy McCain is a class act and would make a fine First Lady in the same mold as Laura Bush and Jackie Kennedy..She is intelligent, refined, cultured, great with kids and is wealthy and comfortable around people with wealth..A very charming woman..

It is despicable to describe her as a drug addict...Like all human beings she had a weak point and fell but she got the help she needed and is in good shape now...She is charitable and loving- the kind of wife John would most appreciate...Good choice he made...

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cindy_Hensley_McCain


113 posted on 05/23/2008 8:32:19 PM PDT by billmor (The American Voter--the Sleeping Tiger)
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To: FARS

Thanks for the ping!


114 posted on 05/23/2008 9:14:58 PM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: FARS; All

“Don’t take the ‘assassination’ remark about Obama too lightly.”

I don’t, in fact I have been wondering for months if, given the level of animosity I’ve heard around, if either Hillary or Obama would make it to the White House if elected. I bitterly remember the assassination years.


115 posted on 05/23/2008 9:17:49 PM PDT by gleeaikin
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To: Bokababe

Reverse psychology in cold-blood but apparent heated action


116 posted on 05/23/2008 10:51:56 PM PDT by FARS
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To: gleeaikin; All

Interesting comment from visitor to AntiMullah

http://noiri.blogspot.com/2008/05/obamas-roots-and-mentality.html


117 posted on 05/23/2008 10:54:39 PM PDT by FARS
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To: FARS; AdmSmith; Berosus; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; Ernest_at_the_Beach; Fred Nerks; george76; ...

Heh... and CNN would have us believe that Hillary *isn’t* a Stepford wife? The First Enabler is unsafe at any speed. My metaphors are mixed — shaken not stirred. Thanks FARS.


118 posted on 05/23/2008 11:03:28 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/_______________________Profile updated Monday, April 28, 2008)
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To: FARS; All
"Don’t take the Hillary “assassination” remark about Obama too lightly"

From the first moment I heard her statement today - I think it's a thinly-veiled threat to the DNC ... choose Hillary or else. Remember, Bill Clinton openly stated in front of witnesses that he considered it "okay to kill people who hurt you". A lot of dems have turned their back on Hillary (hurting her campaign). And .. everything Hillary does is CALCULATED .. nothing is done by chance. She knew exactly what she was saying and I continue to believe it was directed toward the DNC. According to Druge, she said it once before in March.

119 posted on 05/23/2008 11:50:05 PM PDT by CyberAnt (Yon: "The U.S. military is the most respected institution in Iraq.")
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To: FARS

If I was Obama I would be looking over my shoulder all of the time. A threat like that from a Clinton is not to be taken lightly. In my life I would take that threat so seriously it would require a preemptive strike.


120 posted on 05/24/2008 5:25:45 AM PDT by mad_as_he$$ (Will this thread be jacked by a Mormon?)
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