Anita Creamer: Primary objective -- Bash wife of candidate

[Khephra]

Anita Creamer: Primary objective -- Bash wife of candidate

By Anita Creamer -- Bee Staff Writer

Published 2:15 a.m. PST Sunday, January 18, 2004

They're already bashing the wife.

Even though the Iowa caucuses are Monday, and the New Hampshire primary is Jan. 27, the campaign for president still feels far away. California doesn't come into play until early March: Out here, we've been in welcome respite from attack ads and sniping politicians, with only the memories of last fall's recall campaign to haunt us.

So maybe you haven't been paying much attention to the primary coverage so far. And maybe you're not aware that, at least according to some reports, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean's wife, Dr. Judith Steinberg, is emerging as a campaign issue.

How fun. It's already time for what's become a traditional presidential campaign moment, the attack on the uppity wife.

more.................

http://www.sacbee.com/content/lifestyle/story/8123174p-9055186c.html

[DaisyUCSB]

1. Uppity is definetly the wrong word

invisible is really the word to describe it.

[GCP]

2. You're probably correct, but the slant has been to make her seem uppity

I heard it many times on talk radio last week, from Imus down to Barnicle. It's "does she think she's too important to take part in his campaign, or is it a real (nudge, nudge, wink, wink) marriage?

That's what's been going on.

[Khephra]

4. I know this is about a specific wife

But I hope that what's been happening with the Deans on this topic will make everyone angry and not gleeful.

If for no other reason than your candidate's wife could be next. Oh, they'll have to come up with some other angle. But after the Deans and the Clintons having to go through similar BS, I'm now convinced that there won't be a single candidate's wife that won't be raked over the coals this election.

[GCP]

24. I agree with you completely, Kheph

It is all BS. I'm angry as hell about it, I like the Deans a lot, and this crap that's being thrown at them is just the usual MOD of the repukes.

[KittyWampus]

3. I Have Great Respect For Dr. Dean & Admire The Dean Family

However, it is possible to recognize that her COMPLETE absence is an Issue without detracting from her or her choices.

It was posted that Judith relucantly attended 2 Inaugural Balls and after that Dean held Open Houses which Judith didn not attend.

There is simply NO EXCUSE for her not being willing to attend an OCCASSIONAL State function.

She has the position and MONEY to afford whatever help she would require. Be it a baby sitter or someone to help her choose clothing or learn the social graces.

I myself had to learn how to recieve guests and entertain. I prefer small parties (12-15 people) over lasrge gatherings especially if there is alchohol. My own gatherings are usually centered around doing art or craft projects... dyeing Easter eggs or carving pumpkins or whatnot. I can relate to being somewhat shy or not comfortable in crowds.

However, my business required that I learn how to function in larger, formal settings. Most of it is putting on a show... that's why they call it ENTERTAINING. Also, there is learning how to focus on YOUR GUESTS! Ask them questions and appear interested even if they are boring the crap out of you.

But I'm thinking that my post here will be called "bashing" or expecting Dr. Dean to be "eye candy" or a barbie doll

[Khephra]

5. She's stated that she'll make more appearances once the

campaign season is a bit further down the road. Personally, I'd respect the choice from any of the candidate's spouses.

[AP]

6. With Dean, it's always, "we'll fix that tomorrow." Where's the tax plan?

Would like to know about it today, you know, before people start voting.

[Khephra]

16. Are you saying that her making the choice to work

instead of being on the road right now is a situation that needs being "fixed"?

[maxanne]

25. I don't believe

that's the topic of this thread, AP.

[KittyWampus]

12. Understood. But This Didn't Even Have To Be An Issue.

Dean has been running for President since at least 2000, when Gore persuaded him not to run. Frankly I think Dean has intended to run since he announced for Lt. Governor. but that's another topic.

All Dr. & Gov. Dean had to do was STAGE an occasssional brief appearance.

Example, at Inaugural Ball:

Dr. Dean comes in after it has started on the arm of her son.
She and Howard dance once or twice
She talks with a prearranged group of friends for 20 minutes
She announces she has to get back to ..........................

That is all it would have required. And the people of Vermont would have enjoyed seeing the photo op I am sure.

But apparently, the Dean's have decided to do it THEIR way. That is their decision and there ARE consequences.
Whether the consequences end up being fair or not... is not entirely relevant considering the Mediawhores and how they operate

[spooky3]

7. but that's YOUR business

She is not in politics. Entertaining is not required in her business. Why should women be any more concerned about what's fashionable and choosing their wardrobes accordingly than are men. And would we be raising any of these concerns if the candidate were female and her husband were the doctor, keeping things going at home with the 2 kids while his wife was busy on the road?

That's what is sexist about the argument you are making.

You have no basis for concluding that she is not able to do the things you would like for her to do.

Further, it is not our business what arrangements he and she have about their involvement in each other's work.

[janx]

8. Thank you. You said it before I did.

Judith Steinberg Dean is not June Cleaver.

[KittyWampus]

10. No One Mentioned Dr. Dean Being June Cleaver

and that some go to an absurd extreme in discussing this seems to indicate a weak spot.

[KittyWampus]

9. Governor Dean's Business is POLITICS and Judith Is Married To Him

There is an unquestionable role for a policitian's wife.

Dr. Dean and Gov. Dean choose to ignore it.

That was their decision. They have to live with it.

And yes, it would look equally ODD for a husband NOT to appear publically on occassion to show support.

[spooky3]

13. no, that is YOUR idea of what the

right role is. Please do not try to impose that role on everyone else.

[KittyWampus]

14. Actually, It Seems Dr. & Gov. Dean Are Trying To Impose THEIR Idea

does it not?

Marriages are supposed to be about partnerships and mutual support.

Occassionally showing public support is expected. Sorry, but to say otherwise is to ignore the Reality.

So Dr. Dean and her husband are attempting to CHANGE what the public would expect of a politician's wife.

They may or may NOT succeed.

But please acknowledge that most of us on DU are simply talking about an OCCASSIONAL appearance no matter how staged or brief.

We are NOT talking about a fawning, June Cleaver type clinging vine

[MidwestMomma]

19. The difference is, nobody would 'expect' a husband to appear

If the husband did campaign at a female candidate's side it would be seen as a bonus...not something taken for granted. If he wasn't there, nobody would care or notice. Heck, I don't even know if Carol Mosley-Braun has a husband.

We've never had a 'first husband' and the way things are going in this country, we probably never will. But if we ever do reach that age of enlightment, I seriously doubt anyone would expect the first husband to do tours of the Lincoln bedroom and host schoolchildren around the Christman tree. In fact, I'm pretty sure they would not call even call him that.

Hilary Clinton is intensley disliked because she would not follow the rules of 'First Wifely' behavior. I resented it then and I resent it now. I may have problems supporting Dean :-) but I have no problem saying this is crap!

[eileen_d]

22. Frankly, if the candidate was female, I would feel the same way

I agree with cryingshame's assessment. If the candidate was female and married to a man, I would expect the "First Gentleman" (or whatever the title would be) to make appearances, so I don't see the argument being presented as sexist.

A First Lady doesn't have to be June Cleaver, but you can show up / make an appearance without being June Cleaver. I respect Dr. Judith Dean's right to choose her level of participation, but that doesn't mean I agree with it.

[sandnsea]

11. Teresa's been bashed since day one

All kinds of things have been written about her. She makes fun of her husband. She's a loose cannon. They have to stand by her and watch what she says. She called John Heinz "my husband" and "her one true love". The prenuptial stuff. Tons of things. And most of it repeated right here at DU over and over again.

[Khephra]

15. It's horrible when it happens to any spouse

You can have faith in me when I say that I've never said word one about Teresa. I personally wish spouses were off-limits and unimportant, but it seems like some of us in this culture want a "Prom Queen" to accompany our "Prom King".

[janx]

17. Same here. I love it that our candidates have strong and

bright women for spouses. That in itself says a lot.

[dsc]

18. Go look in those threads

and you will find me and many other Dean supporters calling those threads the shameful crap they were. Someithing I see you didn't do here.

[Jerseycoa]

20. Many have, myself included

I hate this. I hate it when it happens to Kerry's family. I hate it when it happens to Dean's family. Any candidate's family.

[sandnsea]

21. Yes I have

I recall just yesterday somebody put up a poll about an article and I said I hadn't even read it because it sounded stupid to start with. And that isn't my point anyway. Who started this thread? How much support of bashing Judith is there? I saw people starting posts and using everything they could to bash Kerry, even by disparaging his wife, repeatedly. And getting lots of help doing it. I'm sorry, DSC, many, many Dean supporters have been beyond belief. I think I can say I've got 20 people on ignore right now so I don't have to read the filth anymore. Hope I don't get alerted for that. You really have no idea.

[eileen_d]

23. Slightly OT - is "Anita Creamer" a bogus name or what?

Reminds me of "Amanda Hugandkiss." ;)

[maxanne]

26. how appropriate

this thread has turned into a rant against Dr. Steinberg - and now delves into criticism of the female writer, on the basis of her name. The way women are treated here at DU never ceases to dismay.