Can I ask about Candidate Wives? They are all neat ladies....but which

[KoKo]

one would you vote for if they were running by themselves. I'm not looking for "flame bait," here. Since Hillary was so controversial and Laura is the "Garden Nome" and Babs was the "Dragon Lady" and on and on.

I'm looking at the ones I've seen or read interviews with. Only one I'm missing is Clark and Gephardt's wife. But, I've seen Gep's wife on the campaign trail for years on C-Span and she's very likeable in talking with voters when they do their "knock on door" campaigns for his re-election. I'm sorry I missed her on C-Span, though.

The others all seem to be close to Hillary's mold of well-educated, feisty, opinionated women. Dean's wife is shy and into herself, but I think would be neat to know. And, she would "work her way into being first lady" and probably be quiet but important in health care related causes. (Volunteering in Anacostia area of DC?)

If you want the Kennedy Social Whirl with entertainment and arts emphasis, I think Kerry and Theresa would fit that bill. They have worldwide connections and interests and have the money to support many causes. Theresa said Arts and Environment are her top priorities.

They would seem to me to be the most social of all who are running. I wonder about Clark and his wife. I don't see much publicly of Clark and would love a link to interviews with his wife.

Edwards wife is very savy, might be closer to Hillary in that she seems very strong in her opinions and I think in spite of her younger children would be a strong influence and outspoken. She is also a lawyer which means she's very savy and knows how to handle herself like Hillary did.

Kucinich, unfortunately doesn't have one. :-(

On Edit: Haddassah Lieberman seems a lively and vivacious person. We all remember her supporting Joe when he ran with Al. She seems like a fun person.

I'm just wondering if anyone has seen or read interviews with them all and which one is your "Ideal First Lady?" Not a flame please or talk about their appearance if it goes "over the top" and negative. They do have different personalities and "styles" though and maybe we can say what that is without doing a job like we do on Laura.

Tipper is my all time favorite. Next is Lady Bird Johnson, with Rosalyn, my third. Just so you know where I'm coming from.

[KaraokeKarlton]

1. I'm a substance over image kinda gal

So I'd definitely prefer Judy Dean. She's a dedicated doctor who still does house calls. That means she works hard, is intelligent and cares about other people. Those are the best three qualities in a person you could hope for.

[KoKo]

2. I could see her doing alot of work with Washington Inner City for Health

Care. She could make a real "practical" difference in how we get back to truly caring for people in our society today. She might not be glamorous in the sense that those who want "pizazz" back in the WH, but she might be exactly what we need after the Decade, and more of Greed.

[blm]

23. Are you familiar with the work Teresa has done in Africa

to promote healthcare and preventive medicine there?

In the inner cities of America?

She links healthcare with the environment. The arts are important to her, but do not receive priority over those bigger human issues.

[Cocoa]

3. I don't have a deep knowledge of any of them

so I'll give a superficial impression, which you specifically asked us NOT to give. :-)

I have a strong negative impression from the few times I've seen Teresa Heinz Kerry, and I just saw Judith Steinberg for the first time and thought Dean is missing a big asset by her not joining him more often. I also loved that picture of her in sneakers.

[poskonig]

4. Judy Dean seems like a real person.

She seems more independent and less like a "yes master" kind of wife.

[NashVegas]

9. Aye

I can easily picture women all over America seeing her as she appeared in the rally tonight and thinking, "she looks like ME." The question is, do American women want a first lady who looks like a typical American woman, or do they want a first lady who looks like numero uno on the social ladder?

[LuminousX]

5. I don't know, I haven't been studying spouses, only candidates

[sandnsea]

6. Teresa Kerry is not a socialite

She has done an enormous amount of work for a variety of causes. She works with revitalizing cities with energy independent sustainable buildings and creating community. She works on early childhood education. She's created numerous programs for women to help them become economically independent. They would definitely be fascinating and bring a real international and cultural flavor to Washington, but they'd also be absolute dynamos in creating the foundation for change throughout the country. I'd definitely vote for her as President over the rest.

[Eloriel]

7. My "ideal First Lady" is

whoever happens to be married to my Ideal First Man.

I am thoroughly annoyed with the whole subject -- whether it's a thoroughly sexist thread dissing Laura Bush (whom I too despise) for her appearance, the Media and Queen Dowd "worrying" over Dr. Steinberg's non-involvement with Dean's campaign, or even considerations like this.

I'd like to remind everyone that this is 2004, not 1954. Women are no longer appendages to men and their careers. We're SUPPOSED to be beyond that.

And that means I think the "job" of "First Lady" ought to be left to the woman involved to do with it whatever the hell she wants. Or DOESN'T want.

Sadly, I suspect it will take a woman President with a husband as "First Gentleman" who doesn't "do" tea parties for the message to get through to some people.

[KoKo]

14. El! I would defintely want to know everything about the President Hubby!

Really! I don't feel this is sexist...unless it becomes "flame bait."

They both really represent the US. I think it's fair to know about both of them? :shrug: Females should be under the same scrutiny as males when both are being voted on. They both really are being voted on. The media will definitely make it an issue.

Many President's wives have been the "power behind the office." I think this is a fair question?

[ecstatic]

8. Definately Dr. Judy Dean

She has it all together: She is a successful doctor, with a successful practice. She has a successful marriage, and has raised two successful kids, one of which is in college. I think she has achieved the balance that many women strive for.

[Maddy McCall]

10. Hillary was only "controversial" because she didn't kowtow to gender

expectations.

Personally, I like Teresa Heinz Kerry best. She has quick wit and a brilliant mind.

I think she would make a great First Lady.

[Leilani]

11. Gert Clark worked for years

on military family issues; in the service, she was head of Family Relief, & a bunch of things. You can probably get lots of info on her at Clark's web site.

I know she is campaigning for him; she has her own schedule. Whe you are the wife of a high ranking officer, there's all sorts of obligations on your time.

[MariaS]

12. I think that Gert Clark

is the closest to the average American woman. She work along side her husband all thru his military career and as a military wife was required to pick up and move her household something like 31 times in 34 years. Considering the working mans salary that they lived for most of their married life it couldn't have been easy. She seems very easy going and friendly from the different appearances I have seen on Cspan and from seein her in the American Son video. She still retains her Brooklyn accent and seems like the perfect mate for General Clark. I think a lot of woman will be able to relate to her. I think Elizabeth Edwards seems very down to earth too.

[KoKo]

13. Heres a little "snip" from article on Candidates Wives in NH Campaigning.

http://www.politicsnh.com/archives/pindell/2003/june/6_12
(SNIP)
Enter the political spouse and children.

When your candidate can't be the state particular week, as the case with Joe Lieberman this week, maybe you can send his wife. Hadassah Lieberman was on a two-day trip around the state Tuesday and Wednesday.

During her trip she visited museums and attended small luncheons where she could talk one-on-one with activists and voters. She could visit a barbershop, for example, and not have 15 reporters flooding around a guy getting his hair cut waiting for his impressions of the candidate later.

She also can substitute for her husband to meet with campaign interns at campaign headquarters where there was a hand-made sign reading: "Heinz may have ketchup but I relish Hadassah" referring to John Kerry's wife Teresa Heinz Kerry, an heir to the ketchup company.

Oddly, though, trips like that of Hadassah and her step-son Matt Lieberman have done are rare. The only other candidate wife to visit the state on her own is Elizabeth Edwards, where she did many of the same things on her trip. Dick Gephardt's campaign said they are hoping to get Gephardt's daughter Chrissy to New Hampshire in the next few weeks. Gephardt's wife, Jane, often travels with her husband on trips, but rarely campaigns alone. Howard Dean's wife has made it clear in media accounts that she is fine with her husband running for president as long as she can keep practicing medicine in Vermont. Bob Graham recently took his wife to campaign events in Iowa.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

http://www.politicsnh.com/archives/pindell/2003/june/6_12

[Moderator]

18. KoKo01

Per DU copyright rules
please post only four
paragraphs from the news
source.

Thank you.


DU Moderator

[izzie]

15. None will pass for the GOP

That is one of their big things. Get women to say home and smile like Bush's wife. That is one of the big Christian things. Dean's wife is taking some job from some man. Upperty women from the North at that. I can not even see how it is done but when you get done reading what they say you know it is set up to be a white mans govt. I keep thinking it is how I come at things but over and over I read others read it the same. It is like this. I lived in the South after they took black and white off bath rooms but they always had two and every one used the right one. I never learned and some times black women would say, go in the other one.It is some type double speak that goes right over my head. Dem wifes will not make it with these people, and I will take bets on it.Many work and they have good educations.

[KaraokeKarlton]

16. Judy Dean already looks the part in this picture!

[Clark Can WIN]

22. With all due respect intended (because I do not condone attacks on

pickles appearance or dress, let alone attacks on candidates wives for the same)

If Pickles stepped out of an airplane looking like that there are certain DU wanna be Mr.Blackwells that would be all over her like a pack of dogs. I can hear the commentary right now on her hair, how the sweater set looks like it came off the close-out rack at Wal*Mart. FRUMP FRUMP FRMUP they would say.

I think she looks like a nice lady but you really can't tell by a persons looks now can you? I find the whole subject of the appearance of candiates wives very small.

[LandOLincoln]

17. I met Gert Clark last weekend

when she subbed for the General at rallies here in New Mexico. She's very down to earth, very friendly, very funny, and one of the most charismatic people I've ever met. I'm thinking she and the General together must give off enough sheer human wattage to light a small city.

I'm also thinking they'll be the most admired First Couple since Jack and Jackie.

Oh yeah--she's very attractive, has wonderful cheekbones and the figure of a 20-something, very slim but busty. Pretty impressive for a woman in her late 50s.

Okay, I'm going to go do some situps now...

[Padraig18]

19. This is a toughie!

they're all lovely people and women of accomplishment in their own rights; you don't have a successful marriage to a strong man unless you're an equally-strong woman, IMO. Any way...

I would probably have to go with Theresa Heinz-Kerry for glamour and wit, and with Judy Dean for accomplishment. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE remember that those statements are NOT 'put downs' of the other wives, but simply my assessment. :)

[AP]

20. Elizabeth E.: all things said above PLUS a committed Democrat. A REAL lib

Just like us on DU.

Is Theresa a real Dem? I bet she gave nice speaches about her first husband's politics once.

Is Judy a real Dem? Who knows.

Elizabeth Edwards IS a real Dem. She said on the blog she knew Charlie Dean in college because they were in the same Dem activist groups.

rtsp://real.JohnEdwards2004.com/v1/1034/2973/20031109-keene-elizabeth.rm

[maxanne]

21. the role of First Lady

needs to be redefined - urgently. The numerous "June Cleaver" posts on this board of late are an indication of the wretched and inequal way women are still regarded in this country - and this board is populated by people who are supposed to have a more progressive thought process.

I have not met Judith Steinberg Dean - but I totally love the way she and Howard are handling the campaign. If anyone can help to begin redefining the job description, this is the pair to do it.

Elizabeth Edwards is wonderful. I have met, and spent some time with her. She'd be a great president.

Theresa Heinz Kerry - I liked very much till I heard her speak up here last week. Her outright nastiness toward another candidate didn't do anything for me - or for most of the people in the room.

Haddassah Lieberman was a real prima donna when she was here. Ick.

I have met and spent some time with Jane Gephardt. She's great - everything she appears to be. I also spent some time with Chrissy, their daughter. I liked her very much.

I haven't met Gert Clark - and have no opinion on her.

I loathe the expectations for first ladies. No one could ever outdo Nancy Reagan in the "look adoringly at hubby" sweepstakes - save for maybe Eva Peron. Laura Bush makes me bilious. Hillary - well, Hillary tried to redefine the role - but her naked ambition was too much for too many. We'd admire her drive and ambition in a man - but in a woman? No way. :eyes:

As long as we keep first ladies in the same box of expectations, so do we oppress all women.

[AP]

24. Funny thing is, Nancy looked the most traditional, but was probably the

one with the most control over her husband (to the extent that either Reagan had control -- I think Schultz and Bush really ran that government).

And Hilary seemed like the one with most control over her husband, and probably had the least, in some respects.

And, furthermore, the first lady who made the biggest difference to the cultural and political life of America was first lady SEVENTY YEARS AGO!!!

Lord.

[newsjunkie]

25. Judy Dean...of course!

She seems so nice and down to earth and not concerned with posturing or fake pandering. I'm not surprised Howard would have a great wife like her,strong in her OWN identity,but taking good care of her family and patients too.It will be so cool to have 2 accomplished doctors living in the WH!

[mzmolly]

26. Judy Dean. I'm ready for a first lady who doesn't feel she has to

be an ornament. Someone with a life of her own.

Judy Dean for First Lady!