The story line's already written -- Teresa Heinz Kerry is the next Hillary

[HEFFA]

I find it very interesting that outspoken, intelligent first ladies (Hillary, THK) tend to get hammered by the "liberal" media, while meek, matronly first ladies (Laura and Barbara Bush) seem to be media darlings. Is it that the latter group are more in keeping with the buttoned-down, traditional gender roles that the "liberals" in the media favor?

Granted, the "liberal" press did also hold first lady Nancy Reagan in high esteem. So, wait....

Damnitall! Now I'm confused!

[LittleApple81]

1. OK, were they successful with Hillary? How many books did she sell?

Did she hide in a hole after the smear campaign the Clintons suffered? Did thinking people believe all the crap. Nuff said.

[HEFFA]

7. Okay, okay, but seriously....

You mean to suggest that her image or the general impression that many people hold of her hasn't been shaped in some way by the media's presentation of her as a brash, meddlesome woman who simply needs to learn her place?

I share your hope that thoughtful people have, to a large degree, been able to look past this media script, but I don't think that you can deny its existence.

[thebigidea]

2. Barbara Bush is about as meek as a rabid wolverine

[calico1]

3. I think there were more children in the Bush

household. Barbara Bush ate some of them. She is evil.

[Junkdrawer]

4. Ask yourself: "Which women vote Republican?"...

and I think you'll get your answer as to why Democratic First Ladies are portrayed the way they are.

[Warpy]

5. First Lady is a rotten, thankless job with no pay

She's expected to be the ultimate hostess, yet have no personality or opinions separate from her husband. She's expected to be perfectly groomed and coiffed and on call twenty four hours a day, but raked over the coals when what this costs is made public. She's always too fat, too thin, too short, too tall, too blonde, too brunette, too activist, too passive, too outspoken, too complacent, too human.

I can't think of any First Lady who hasn't been pilloried in the press and elsewhere. Even Laura Bush, who has tried to project a drab, colorless Stepford/50s sitcom wife image has been criticised, and yes, I've been guilty of that, myself, mostly for what she hasn't done.

Don't pretend the attacks against Mrs. Kerry are anything new, or even worse than the attacks against other First Ladies, because they aren't.

I just hope she's stopped reading newspapers and "news" magazines for the duration.

[HEFFA]

6. That was kinda my point. I would expect a more favorable view of women

from an allegedly "liberal" media.

I just wish that people would pull their heads outta their arses. THK is a quality individual, as is her husband -- the next President.

The whores in the media need to be reined in and reminded that they have an obligation to the public interest. Truth is their mandate. SO, quit with the bullshit!

[lottie244]

8. Hey, that's a good thing!! Bill was elected twiece with Hillary at his

side. Go THK

[LiberalEsto]

9. But if Kerry did a Lewinsky...

I'm pretty sure Teresa, unlike Hillary, would see to it that he'd be singing soprano for the rest of his life. Not that Kerry would, of course.