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.......... I would be absolutely horrible at it!
I mean it! I am a loudmouth at times, often opening my mouth and having words come out without going through that censor "is this a wise thing to say?" in my brain.
I'm impulsive -- I'm a little too gregarious at times. I would make a HORRIBLE First Lady for our country. People would be embarrassed to be around me.
I say this because I think Teresa Heinz-Kerry is a lot like me. If her husband is elected President, I'm wondering what it is going to be like with Teresa as First Lady.
In comparison to the stylish elegance and properness of Nancy Reagan, for instance, or Barbara Bush. This would be quite a change.
I'm not saying it's good or bad -- just that it will be very very different. I'm also wondering if her attitude is chasing away some of the female votes from Kerry (of course, it could be bringing in others....)
posted
1. Yes. I have a friend who extremely dislikes Teresa Heinz. She said that rude only turns eccentric if you can buy the people reporting it, but it's still rude. Of course she's brave - who's going to tell her differently?
2. I think she'd be fun.
3. From the link, the woman who said this is an idiot: " "Laura is a gracious person, but she's been relegated to being a pretty picture," noted publishing heiress Marie Ridder. "Whereas John Kerry does listen to Teresa, who has a powerful voice.""
Just because you con't see the consultations going on, it doesn't mean they don't happen. Yes, the public is shut out of their private life. That's perfectly fine.
quote:"I think Washington will be more active" with Mrs. Kerry in the White House, said Democratic stalwart Esther Coopersmith. "I don't think John Kerry and Teresa will go to bed at 9 o'clock." Described as "with it" by people she knows, Mrs. Kerry's sophisticated social circle is in stark contrast to Mrs. Bush's down-home Texas ways.
4. Of all the people who has opinions, those who are happy because the first lady would more closely resemble Paris Hilton are at the bottom of the list of people to listen to.
quote:She is often tardy, explaining that she doesn't like to "be bossed around" by anyone.
5. Well...
I'm late all the time, and I don't wear a watch, and I have to admit it's for probably the same reason.
It's still incredibly rude, especially when people are waiting just for you. I'm on time for things that don't happen until I get there (usually - I try). I'm just a bit lacksadaisical about things where I'll just join in.
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So far, in my completely unscientific surveys of my friends, the only people I know to badmouth Teresa are conservative males. My female freinds think she would make a great first lady.
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Yes, I agree with your point #3 there, kat. I think highly of Laura Bush, and I know she is her own person. I don't agree with the person that stated that.
quote:"Most political wives are anesthetized by the time they even get close to the White House," said French Wallop, ex-wife of former Republican Sen. Malcolm Wallop of Wyoming, "They are not able to speak their minds, terrorized by the staff or their husbands. Teresa doesn't give a fig leaf what anybody cares about her." Mrs. Wallop points out that the Bushes have only hosted "what, four or five state dinners in four years? These people don't understand that to get things done you have to have these stupid dinners." On the topic of Laura vs. Teresa, Mrs. Wallop said, "Middle America would find Laura Bush more palatable than an intimidating person such as Teresa."
Okay, I'm reading the rest of it. Of all the criticisms that can be leveled against Bush, I don't think "ineffective" is one of them.
The ex-wife of a former senator from Wyoming. Why is this called polite society?
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Okay - that wasn't the best link -- but I was trying to find one that no one would use to accuse me of throwing out "anti-Kerry, pro-Bush" stuff, because I wanted to talk about JUST First Ladies.
But I think pretty much everyone has already heard on the news all the times Teresa has already put her foot in her mouth. I think news reporters will have a heyday with her quotes if they win office.
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I'm not disagreeing with anything anyone has said, or being partisan, but I'm surprised if you can't remember that people had the same field day with Nancy Reagan, back before she became a symbol for tragic love and loyalty. Stylishly elegant and proper? If anything, all this goes to show is that history will eventually sanitize any first lady's reputation. (cf. Eleanor Roosevelt)
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but...we aren't electing her, anymore than we elected Laura Bush, or the Bush twins, or Cheney's daughter. We don't vote for their families--we vote for them.
Seriously, I know family members are high-profile and therefore easy targets, but I really wonder at people who make family members a big issue. Is it because it's an easy shot, or do you honestly think there's some political relevance? To me, it just seems to be another superficial issue, like a candidate's appearance.
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quote: but...we aren't electing her, anymore than we elected Laura Bush
I hope you weren't directing this at me, Megan -- because I certainly was NOT trying to say this should have any influence at all on who people vote for. I agree with you that we are voting for the man.
I was just saying it will be curious to see this change, and see how people handle it, if it happens.
quote: but...we aren't electing her, anymore than we elected Laura Bush, or the Bush twins, or Cheney's daughter. We don't vote for their families--we vote for them.
Idyllicly? Yes, but I know quite a few people who voted for Clinton because he was "better looking" and a few who are voting for Kerry because he's "tall and has great hair".
Also I was disagreeing that First Ladies get "sanitized" with age and was pointing to the recent "Reagans" TV show as evidence that's not entirely the case.
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It wasn't directed at anyone really...just commenting on the general fuss and bother over candidates' relatives. It's the same spiel I trotted out when Clinton was in office when people would fuss and bother over Hillary and Chelsea. It was very off-topic.
I think it will be very interesting to see reactions, but ...I do tend to think that the people who react poorly to her will be the same people who reacted poorly to Hillary. I don't really have an opinion about her per se; I haven't read enough about her to have one (since I make a point of avoiding any commentary whatsoever on candidates' relatives...for the most part...cause otherwise I'd be a big ol' hypocritical weenie...)
*trails off*
Ok, I'm done babbling now.
Tuna fish!
No, ok, really done now.
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FWIW, I both agreed with Megan and found your first post to be absolutely clear and honestly curious, Farmgirl. It seemed completely appropriate.
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What an unfortunate combination of names. I'm finding it difficult to believe she retained her ex-husband's last name after the divorce! I mean her maiden name could only be worse if it was "Kiss"
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I would like to see a woman run and win. In fact I would like to see an African American and Woman run together. Depending on the issues, I'd have a hard time not wanting to vote for them.
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Okay, Chad. I don't watch very much TV, so I am not familiar with the movie. I assume, then, that it was negative in it's portrayal of Nancy Reagan?
It sounds like we agree on the larger question, then.
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Laura Bush is the only first lady who doesn't do a thing for me. And Jenna Bush is exceedingly unimpressive. The other daughter seems charming enough, and more importantly, has deeper awareness of morality. I can't stomach twits. I don't think they are cute. I don't think that it's okay because she is young. Jenna Bush raises all of those feelings in me that Hillary Clinton brings about in middle America.
I do like Ms. Edwards. I like John Kerry more for marrying Heinz-Kerry. And I've liked just about all of the other First Lady's until Laura Bush. And the big question, the one that no one in polite society would ask. If Laura Bush is such a good mother and wife. Shouldn't that be evident in her daughters and husband?
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