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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: mass55th
'I am not some scary other.... I am Camelot with a tan.

They are starting this crap again.

21 posted on 05/22/2008 5:03:24 PM PDT by BARLF
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To: indylindy

nay=may, sorry


22 posted on 05/22/2008 5:03:51 PM PDT by dforest (I had almost forgotten that McCain is the nominee. Too bad I was reminded.)
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To: The_Republican

Cindy is an awesome speaker.


23 posted on 05/22/2008 5:04:03 PM PDT by golfisnr1 (Democrats are like roaches - hard to get rid of.)
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To: The_Republican

Cindy is an awesome speaker.


24 posted on 05/22/2008 5:04:24 PM PDT by golfisnr1 (Democrats are like roaches - hard to get rid of.)
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To: americanophile
Bingo. Of the three spouses, I would take McCain's (And I'm not a McCain supporter).

The other two are both ‘Two for one’ types. With Obama we get what you described. With Hillary we get you-know-who.

What a GD’ed mess!

25 posted on 05/22/2008 5:07:24 PM PDT by TCats
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To: mass55th

Very good point.


26 posted on 05/22/2008 5:08:30 PM PDT by 1035rep
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Barak Hussein Obama makes gaffe after serious gaffe and he’ given a pass ... remember Dan Quail and his mispelling potato? The liberal lame stream media derided him for weeks.
Same thing here with presidential candidates wives, just a few weeks ago the media was comparing Obama’s wife to Jackie Kennedy. McCain's wife will never get the same treatment ...
27 posted on 05/22/2008 5:14:20 PM PDT by BluH2o
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Comment #28 Removed by Moderator

To: golfisnr1

What they say about tree falling in the forest.......ain’t no point in saving her....now is the time....use or lose.


29 posted on 05/22/2008 5:26:00 PM PDT by The_Republican (Ovaries of the World Unite! Rush, Laura, Ann, Greta - Time for the Ovulation!)
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To: BARLF
Sorry, Michelle. This is Camelot with a tan (sun-kissed Jackie). Notice her warm, open smile, Michelle. Take some notes.
30 posted on 05/22/2008 5:32:09 PM PDT by Cecily
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To: Cecily
An even better picture of the stylish Jackie:
31 posted on 05/22/2008 5:34:48 PM PDT by Cecily
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To: Morgana
Time has not treated her well. Drugs, booze, wanton sexual relations with unkowns usually does that to a person:

Keep in mind, this picture is at Cannes, and is madonna at her best. I would hate to see what she looks like at 7:00 in the morning after a rough night out.

32 posted on 05/22/2008 5:36:24 PM PDT by Michael.SF. ("They're not Americans. They're liberals! "-- Ann Coulter, May 15, 2008)
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To: BunnySlippers

The McCain’s home is in Architectural Digest this month. Hokey, but expensive, Southwest style.
_______________________________________________
Oh, really? Which one? He has nine.


33 posted on 05/22/2008 5:36:43 PM PDT by soupcon
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
It's a pretty weak complaint when they have to resort to,

"She's perfect in every way."

34 posted on 05/22/2008 5:40:10 PM PDT by bannie (clintons CHEAT! It's their only weapon.; & Barry/Barack has two faces.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Sounds like Carol is having hot flashes.

It’s not easy keeping that job on the CNN bod squad when you’re pushing 50.


35 posted on 05/22/2008 5:41:32 PM PDT by Snickering Hound
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To: Michael.SF.

Okay, she is botoxed to the hilt but she looks great for fifty and she is in great shape for a person her age./Just Asking - seoul62......


36 posted on 05/22/2008 5:41:38 PM PDT by seoul62
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To: Mr. Mojo

Isn’t Cindy mcCain a high powered executive in her own right? What are these people smoking?


37 posted on 05/22/2008 5:46:09 PM PDT by Hildy
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To: 2ndDivisionVet; AuntB; Tennessee Nana; KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle; Czar; potlatch; TADSLOS; ...
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.

Those darn liberal papers said Cindy ripped-off the "medical charity" to get money for prescription drugs like Vicodin she was hooked on----and that she bought drugs illegally in the names of her employees.

The DEA was preparing to seek prosecution of Cindy for stealing drugs from the nonprofit when McCain cut a deal with Clinton to call off the dogs. He was extremely cooperative with Clinton from that point on.

Darn liberals NEVER print the whole story. Cindy also lied about drug treatment she claims to have undergone. The poor, poor girl. She's the subject of viscious rumor-mongering. I'm all broke up about this---sob.

SOURCE http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:2jDn-E-rcfQJ:www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1994-09-08/news/opiate-for-the-mrs/

38 posted on 05/22/2008 5:46:23 PM PDT by Liz (Without the brave, there'd be no land of the free. Senator Fred Thompson)
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To: americanophile

Ya, if only Mrs. McCain were a caustic, preachy, America-hating, b*tch like Michelle Obama, then we could support her!

Don’t jump on that Mrs. McCain bandwagon to quick- she’s an ex drug addict who stole her drugs from a charity. She has a few skeletons in that big closet of hers that no one should want to open.


39 posted on 05/22/2008 5:47:53 PM PDT by bigred41 (Don't mess with Texas)
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To: Liz

Very old news.


40 posted on 05/22/2008 5:49:43 PM PDT by Irish Eyes
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