Political Wives - Behind every Dem man, why is there a Damned Woman?

[Modem Butterfly]

It's no secret that rising to national prominence in the US takes a strong-will and an enormous amount of determination. It should come as no surprise that people often marry someone of similar disposition. In other words, the wives of our top politicians are often as strong, determined, and accomplished as their husbands (Hillary Clinton comes to mind, as does our own Elizabeth Edwards). Why then, do we as a people (and women in particular) stand for, and even embrace the attempted triviliazation and demonization of political wives? Why on earth was Hillary Clinton criticized for her hairstyle and pantsuits? Why was Teresa expected to compete in a recipe contest with Laura Bush? And why is any member of the press who reported on the weight of Tipper Gore and Elizabeth Edwards still taken seriously?

Political wives seem to be stuck in a particularly vicious Madonna-Whore complex. Either they are ideal Stepford Wives and mothers (a la Laura Bush) or they are shieking harpies who hope to bring the whole nation down (do I really have to give examples here?). Of course, it's the Democratic women who suffer most from this- noted dragon lady Nancy Reagan was treated with an almost reverential tone. Political wives seem to suffer the weight of our cultural ambivalence in a way that female politicians do not- for instance, I have never read a story on what designers Nancy Pelosi wears or whether or not Olympia Snow is a good mother.

So what's up with this? Is it simple male chauvanism gone wild? Is it part of the continued demonization of liberals? Or am I just talking out my skirt here?

[Triana]

1. I'd like hear the answer to that...

...myself!

[democratreformed]

2. Male chauvanism - yep. That's my opinion.

They would love to set the women's rights way back.

[Modem Butterfly]

3. Then why is it focused primarily on the wives?

I guess there's no need to ask why it's focused on Dem women in particular, but why is it that female politicans aren't subject to the same indignities as the wives of male politicians?

[democratreformed]

4. I hadn't thought of it that way. Maybe they are scared of them?

I really don't know. I'll have to do some more thinking on this one.

[LibInternationalist]

5. I think it's a combination

of "traditional values" and jealousy

[spooky3]

6. Maybe we haven't figured out how to update the role of political wife.

In the case of female politicians, we apply a "male" standard, more or less. Maybe we figure, as long as they get things done and vote the way we want them to, we're tolerant of some variation in personal appearance and don't care about "personal" things such as recipes as much. Of course, getting them into office remains a problem, so I do not want to suggest that sexism has left the building.

But, in 2004, what do we expect from the political wife? That's less clear. Since we can't control whom our candidates marry, in some sense it is comforting if she is seemingly neutral a la Laura, rather than strong in views and interested in getting involved, since if she got involved in ways we didn't want, we can't easily vote her out of office.

As for Dem vs. Republican discrimination, I agree that is due to the continued demonization factor.

[RafterMan]

7. John Kerry was criticized for his haristyle

and his spandex, Edwards for his hair, Clark for his sweater, Gore for his earth tones.

Hillary was also criticized for her health plan.

If all they do is stand by their husband and wave, they'll be criticized on how they look. If they do more, they'll be criticized on that, too.

As for Nancy Reagan, you did say "noted dragon lady". If she was treated reverentially, who was doing the noting?