The reason we talk about family values so much is that we don't have them. Americans are the only people I know who raise their children to leave the nest. Face it: We value individualism and freedom over family, tribe or personal obligation. In countries with real family values, India or Italy, for example, people don't have to talk about it all the time.

There is, of course, nothing new about spouse-power in the White House. Abigail Adams was there to tell her husband, John, not to forget the ladies. Dolley Madison saved Gilbert Stuart's painting of George Washington and important state papers when British troops set fire to the White House in 1814.

Edith Wilson executed the only successful coup d'etat in American history, governing secretly after her husband, Woodrow Wilson, suffered a debilitating stroke in 1919. Eleanor Roosevelt was Eleanor Roosevelt, God bless her. Nancy Reagan worked in private -- pillow talk -- to take positions outside President Reagan's comfort zone and to try to make him stop listening to aides who had agendas she believed were different from those of her guy, Ronnie. Hillary Clinton screwed up chances to get universal health care while her husband was president in 1991.

So it goes. But it shouldn't always be that way. A spouse or a brother or children are inevitably part of any presidency, but I prefer the ones who deal with that at home. They obviously have the president's ear and can act as the chief's eyes and ears in places he can't go. Their most valuable contribution is quiet counsel involving personnel. Wives (and husbands) have a nose for smelling disloyalty and usually have only one constituency, the president. That's good.

What's bad is the monarchy Franklin feared so long ago. The Clintons introduced the two-for-one presidency -- not a good idea. Many of Bill Clinton's men and women kept truth away from the boss because they were afraid to cross the queen. If we want a queen, we should choose Helen Mirren.

For the moment, the 2008 presidential campaign debate is too first-spouse heavy. Judith Nathan will be answering questions now instead of her husband, the candidate. Pundits are defining John Edwards' candidacy by the tragic reappearance of Elizabeth Edwards' cancer. Mitt Romney will have to defend or persuasively explain the old Mormon tradition of polygamy.

Then there is the prince consort himself, former President Bill Clinton. Hillary, in my mind, has redeemed and totally validated herself by being elected twice to represent New York state in the halls of the republic. But others are convinced (foolishly) that she takes orders from her mate. I doubt that. Advice is not orders, and there is no candidate who would not take Bill's counsel if offered.

A spouse's place in public policy should be inside the White House, or working on their own lives and careers, like Cherie Blair or Dennis Thatcher in England -- or Stockard Channing in "The West Wing." We have, as Lyndon Johnson said when the going got real rough, only one president at the time. Let the president be the president, and forget about the relatives, always a mixed bunch.

(END)

Yawn.........

Gesundheit!

Oh! He means the presidents' wives......

For a sick minute there I was thinkin' he was gonna say somethin' about preferin' sloppy 4ths-or 5ths........(shudder)....

My bad!

Not me, I hate them personally. Except Roslyn, 'cause she let Jimmy read Playboy, so you know she's cool...

I have disliked them all - except Lady Bird Johnson.

Lady Bird

Now there's a Texas woman.
Class act.

Eleanor Roosevelt and Hillary RC were the best two in my time. Third would have to go to (shudder!) a Repubber: Betty Ford. For the bottom of the scale (still my shift, mind you, the last hundred years) Nancy Reagan was probably a little worse than Jackie Kennedy. But it's close. herm

I now realize that I had posted the following to the wrong blog entry:

"Outstanding! First Ladies are not anywhere mentioned in the Constitution. The concept of First Ladyhood dates back to when women were basically property of their husbands and they were they to just look good and entertain. It is totally outdated and useless in the 21st century."

Clearly someone who never heard of Jacqueline Kennedy.

Or Elinore who ran the white house for years

So you don't find it disturbing that "Elinore ran the White House for year" when it was her husband who was elected to run the White House.

I also have a problem with the term "First Family". These people are not royalty god dammit! Let's stop treating them as if they were. The President is not a King/Queen, (s)he is a Constitutional officer, period.

The President is not a King/Queen, (s)he is a Constitutional officer, period.

Posted by member2586

Too bad that ship sailed long ago. The modern age of celebrity gives the power to the individual.

It's like when people refer to those out of office by the titles of the offices they once held. The impulse to get down on a bended knee, or both knees, or perform the full kowtow never seem far enough away.

"First Ladies are not anywhere mentioned in the Constitution"

This is always the most lame argument. There's all kinds of stuff that's not mentioned in the Constitution, but is statutory or simply tradition.

Lady Bird Class act.

Posted by DATA at 2007-04-03 09:23 PM | Reply

While her husband screwed everything around him, Lady Bird pretended not to know.

And Hillary! always said that Elenore was her role model! I guess she means just the dike part.

While her husband screwed everything around him, Laura pretended not to know.

How very true.

Ever considered how Bush is like Jefferson???

Both had a black mistress.

Vernon,

So it would be okay, if Rudy were elected president for Mrs. Rudy to have a hand in policy making?

So does this guy think Hillary should be president because she used to fuck Bill Clinton or not?

And Hillary! always said that Elenore was her role model! I guess she means just the dike part Posted by vernon

As usual Vermin, wrong again. I didn't realize Elenore Roosevelt was :

dike- an earthen mound which holds back water

oh, did you mean "dyke" ?

oh, my bad. You know, Vermin, I didn't realize you could make mistakes.

"the dike part.

Posted by vernon at 2007-04-04 09:25 AM"

Ignorant in more ways than one.

Vernon:
Don't think, don't spell.
What do you do?
Don't think, don't spell.
What do you do?

With the heartbreak open
So much you can't hide
Put on a little makeup makeup
Make sure they get your good side good side

Goody two goody two goody goody two shoes
Goody two goody two goody goody two shoes
Don't think don't spell - what do you do
Don't think don't spell - what do you do
Subtle innuendos follow
There must be something he's hiding

(Sorry Adam A.)

Marilyn by far was the best if you believe it happened in the WH.

So does this guy think Hillary should be president because she used to fuck Bill Clinton or not?

Posted by Sully


What I think is funny is that this guy implies Hilary will be President. Problem is, that Hilary doesn't know when to shutup (or what to say, when) Even Bush did better than her in that department!

If she'd just shut up, she'd win. But that ain't gointa happen.

Ever considered how Bush is like Jefferson???

Both had a black mistress. Posted by danni

That is just so wrong Danni...


Jeff Gannon is not black.

"If she'd just shut up, she'd win. But that ain't gointa happen."

To me, it is a problem when she opens her mouth because she can't help but be an obvious phoney. She can't be sincere.

Why would she need to say she's a Cub's fan when in Chicago and THEN feel the need to say she's a Yankees fan when running in NY? Does she have an uncontrollable urge to be a patronizing liar at all times? It is amazing.

Before any of her apologists want to say my example was minor - she also claims the war was a mistake but her vote in favor of it was not.

Columnist: 'I Hate First Ladies'

YEAH! Especially when they are as lifeless, loveless, lazy and devoid of any passion like Laura Bush!
What a fucking lump she has been ---- but considering both of their life's stories, what more is there to expect of them (other than lazy, backsliding, self-serving 3rd generation "never worked a day in their life" leech's).

IMHO, the First Lady with the most flair and style was Jackie Kennedy. The one who was the haughtiest was Nancy Reagan, as tho she had so much to be haughty about! The one who was the most in the dark has got to be Laura Bush. Imagine being married to the Chimp and having to look down at that face during a passionate moment....gag me with a spoon! Oooops, that means I'm on top....ROTFLMAO!!!

The First Lady that I started out disliking, but then eventually liking was Hillary Clinton. She showed me something strong when she did not kill Bill after finding out about his dalliance in the White House! I have a huge amount of respect for her and I like her! And I don't care what anybody else says....only someone who has been there and done that can understand the depth of her pain and embarrassment! Hillary, you had a lot of forgivin' to do! And ya did it!

I also liked Lady Bird a lot. I loved Roslyn, she of the low key and soft, southern twang. But the one who is the lowest on my list, second only to Laura Bush, has got to be Barbara Bush! What an insulting, passionless, lazy, dolt! And they let her have children! And now we pay the price! Thanks a lot, Barbara!