Phew! Dean won't copy that Al-Tipper smooch

[chimpymustgo]

From Washington Whispers in US News and World Report:
******

Here's one scene you won't see on Howard Dean's march to the Democratic presidential nomination: his Yankee family paraded from podium to podium for the perfect photo op. That's because his wife, Dr. Judith Steinberg Dean, is busy with her patients and high schoolers Ann and Paul just don't dig the political stuff.

"They really are a normal family," says aide Jay Carson, "but they don't like the limelight."

Tough, says pollster John Zogby, who says voters want to see the family ties before picking a president. Zogby, for example, says he was shocked when Dean didn't bring his wife or kids–or shed a tear–when he recently claimed the remains of his brother, who disappeared while in Laos back in 1974.

"That's not like most of us, and that could be a real problem," says Zogby.

-snip-

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/whisphome.htm

*****

Interesting take from Zogby, who seems to be very pro-Dean in his polling and commentary. I belive this would be a big negative for Dean in the GE - and should be considered now. It has nothing to do with feminism, but with a sense of family that Americans expect from a President.

I LOVE seeing and hearing Elizabeth Edwards with John. She is a delightful speaker, and possibly the best surrogate I've ever seen for a candidate. It's great seeing Edwards' oldest daughter out on the campaign trail, advocating for her Dad. Of course those little tykes are beyond darling - what a Christmas card!

Seeing Jane Gephardt and her easy warmth made me think better of old Dick, as did his daughters.

John Kerry shouldn't go anywhere without Theresa - she is such a dazzler, and really helps to soften him.

Don't know too much about Gert, but I have seen her out shaking hands and laughing as Wes's jokes during town hall meetings.

To not see Judy Steinberg is weird. Hope she comes out soon, because Americans simply will not buy a President without looking over the family.

[slinkerwink]

1. your post is sexist.

[Bucky]

30. I hate disagreeing w/Slink, but original post isn't sexist, it's reality

I certainly admire Judy Dean for sticking to her guns and working her job rather than just playing "goodwife" and doing the surrogate number. I don't think it's weird or unusual or creepy or disturbing that she's back home doing and important job. But I also admire the other candidate's spouses for pitching in for the causes of their Sig-O's. Hell, I just admire women in general. But back to my point...

There is a tradition in politics of the wife showing up at certain important occasions--like the convention--and supporting her man. When (not if) we get a woman nominee, I'm sure we'll see a hubby doing the same number for his woman. This is a good thing, as long as its not carried to silly extremes--like three years ago when you could practically see Gore's tongue coming out of Tipper's ear. That was embarrassing. No, that was pandering. I can only hope that while he was down there he was checking her for tonsilitis. But back to my point...

I don't think it's sexist to commend wives for supporting spouses in their calling in life. They all seem to be doing a good job of it (with one noteable exception--Hadassah Lieberman is a terrible speaker). And in a democracy, more voices is always a good thing.

[ClintonTyree]

2. Hmmmmmmmmm........

with over half of American families having both the husband and wife working in order to make ends meet, I think the American public will cut them a little slack on this. The nuclear family is not an American institution anymore. But, maybe Americans would like their President to give that appearance, who knows? Bush's family certainly doesn't resemble the Norman Rockwell caricature, now does it? The twins off getting loaded in some dive all the time, Neil off banging prostitutes and playing three card monte on street corners, Jeb running his very own banana republic in Florida, Ma and Pa Bush in Kennebunkport feeding seagulls with the Bin Ladens, hey their nuclear (or should I say nucular) family isn't in tact.

[chimpymustgo]

6. Absolutely! The Bush family is like a UPN sitcom!

Whoever the Democrats nominate will look like the model of family values against that crowd.

[Melinda]

3. Women and children are not cars or farm animals to be *looked over*

Your thoughts border on misogyny, are overtly sexist, and quite offensive

[slinkerwink]

5. I agree with you on that.....

what a sickening example of a post!

[newsjunkie]

9. I agree..

and he has brought them out on stage before. They seemed completely normal and the type folks that arent into their own egos. I like that about Dean. His whole lifestyle seems very plain spoken and no-nonsense. I'm sure when he feels the time is right,he will bring them out to meet everyone a little more up close and personal. They arent running....HE is. They have said they are fine with that,and thats good enough for me. He is showing them respect for their privacy by not parading them around for everyone to nitpick them apart.

[slinkerwink]

20. and that's why I'm behind Dean!

[Padraig18]

4. Dr. Steinberg said...

...on NBC (I think) last week that she will become more involved in her husband's campaign after the nomination, and will also relocate to Washington, DC, and practice medicine there, a la "Abby Bartlett" from West Wing.

Voters need to realize that this is the 21st century, and the Nancy Reagan era of first ladies is history.

[chimpymustgo]

8. Oh PLEASE - this is not sexist - it's realistic. No need to be defensive.

I'm glad Judy is going to come out and campaign if Dean gets the nomination - but don't primary voters get an opportunity to know her?

[liberalnurse]

10. An attempt to rationalize your view

and discount our assessment of your view is not going to fly. I stand by my outrage in support of the fine, respectable and innocent Dr. Judy Steinberg.

[Padraig18]

12. If 'the primary voters' are so shallow that that determines their...

... decision to support Gov. Dean, or not, then I am apalled. Dr. Steinberg is hardly reclusive, and the media frankly seems to have little interest in her, or any of the candidate's spouses, at this point.

[KittyWampus]

14. Noone Said DETEREMINED.... But It Can And MAY Be A Subliminal Factor

[Padraig18]

17. So be it.

As I wrote previously, NBC interviewed her, and if 'the voters' were clamoring for more info about her, I'm sure other media would do the same. Now that I think about it, only she and Teresa Kerry have even BEEN interviewed by any major media.

[Cheswick2.0]

24. She isn't running for office

this is sexist crap

[liberalnurse]

7. Your are way out of line.

This is so sexist and insulting to someone who you never met.

This is a free country, she, Dr. Steinberg, does not have to please you or your narrow scope of family values. Now one does.

Why are you even on this board? What are your true intentions? I don't see democratic support and discussion. I do read your message of hate, vindictiveness and filth. Is there a positive purpose to the post? I think not. To purposely inflict pain, insult and discrimination is not democratic.


Your name for yourself is most appropriate.......

[chimpymustgo]

11. Have mercy! That the very idea of a spouse campaigning causes hysteria

is downright weird.

I am a working woman raising a daughter - and a complete feminist - something I really don't have to defend out here in cyberspace.

But I am quite taken aback that as a voter who would like to see Dr. Dean's family prompts accusations of "hate, vindicitiveness and filth"??????

Whaaaa....

[liberalnurse]

13. Like the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin sang....

R-E-S-P-E-C-T.....What does that me to me?

This is a hint....you can start there......

[Melinda]

15. Why do you address Dr. Dean properly, & yet refer to his spouse

as "Judy"?

I never, ever call any of the candidates or their spouses by their first names, but rather use their proper titles, ie; General and Mrs. Clark, Senator Kerry, Theresa Heinz Kerry, Congressman Kucinich....

When we discuss these people, why shouldn't we record each and all of them respect?

[KittyWampus]

18. Alot Of Us Call Various Personages Alternately By First & Last Names

why are you pointing this out?

[Melinda]

19. There is no such word as "Alot" - It's "A lot"

Read my post again - your answer is still there.

[KittyWampus]

23. Thanks For Catching My "Typo"

My world would have been crushed otherwise.

[Melinda]

26. You're welcome.

I've noticed you make that same "typo" a lot; glad I could help. :)

[slinkerwink]

16. if you're a complete feminist, then why aren't you glad that

Dean's family in the White House will reflect the reality of America where both parents work, and yet they're still amazingly devoted to their kids?

[bicentennial_baby]

28. No more out of line than

your post the other day about Clark's supposedly not looking healthy

[patricia92243]

21. Dean's sense of family is shown by his NOT flaunting his loved one for his

political gain. About him not crying in public when he claimed his brother's remains - did Zogby know how Dean behaved in prvate?

[KittyWampus]

22. Well Dean's Campaign Used Recovering His Brothers Remains

as a means to attack Clark.

When Clark was asked a joking question about he and Dean having a skiing contest he made the factual statement that he was recovering from wounds gotten in VietNam while Dean was skiing.

Dean's campaign then attacks Clark for daring to utter a truthful comment while Dean was recovering his brother's remains.

Pretty tasteless.

[slinkerwink]

27. it was stupid of Clark to do that on the day Dean was getting his

brother's remains. Have you no shame about your candidate?

[chimpymustgo]

25. I agree with your point about the crying in public.

That was bizarre, because everyone deals with grief so differently - and the public/private disparity even greater.

But I don't think having your spouse and family on the campaign trail occasionally is "flaunting" them.

I am really stunned by the attacks that this a "hateful" suggestion, somehow. I'm alarmed by this reaction - it suggests something I am reluctant to describe.

[billbuckhead]

29. The Judy Steinberg situation is a fatal liability.

The RepuKKKes will easily turn this into one of their kulturwar attacks. Ralph Reed's getting the ambush ready for right after the nomination, millions of flyers to be distributed on Sundays mornings. This will be the meme,"No wonder Dean is for "gay marriage", look at Dean's own unconventional marriage, but what do you expect from a "fake" Christian who can't even quote the bible correctly." It won't matter in blue states but will keep Dean shutout in the south and struggling in the midwest.

[Padraig18]

31. LOL!

God, that is such a DESPERATE reach! Just let KKKarl try it, and he'll alienate every two wage-earner household in America, and ASSURE a Democratic landslide. ::P

[slinkerwink]

35. oh, that'd be great!

[KaraokeKarlton]

32. If you want to see Dr. Judy

Come to Vermont and make an appointment to get a physical. She's a busy woman. Dean has always protected his family from the press and he's not going to treat them as dressed up and posed mannequins for the scrutiny of the press. Judy will make a few appearances here and there. I'm sure she'll be at the Convention in Boston and she will be there at his inauguration speech. But she doesn't have time to run around the country and campaign. Their son is still in high school and it's hockey season and she has a medical practice. They don't have servants and all that, so she is having to do this stuff by herself so her husband can rescue this country from the death grip of George W. Bush. I think she's doing her part just fine. People need to leave Judy and the kids alone.

Dean's mother and brother were in Iowa with him last night. It was so cute to see Dean kiss him Mom on the cheek to say goodbye before she left to event.

[dsc]

33. She is a doctor

and several hundred, maybe even thousands, of patients depend on her. She is doing what she should do. I honestly don't give two hoots. I am mystified anyone does.

[retyred]

34. deans wife not being there is no real big deal

as far as his electability is concerned.

I just find it odd that she takes his political aspirations so lightly as to find the moral support of being there so immaterial.

I guess I'm old fashioned, but I would want my wife beside me while I was moving toward the most important goal of my political career, her decision not to be with me would be an indication to me that while it was my desire, it was not something that she felt would enhance the relationship we have. I am a firm believer that as a couple, it is imperative we move toward the same goal.


retyred in fla
“Good-Night Paul, Wherever You Are”
So I read this book