Behind every man is a good women,who is better choice for First Lady?

[minniepumpernickel]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
I really feel for the daughters, of the Bush and Kerry and Clinton family. The press likes to pick them apart too.

Yes, exactly it's like they are expected to be pretty, perfect and kind of steppfordesque. No wonder some women get complexes and become anorexic. Remember when Chelsea was criticized for her looks? That was awful.

 

[KristaTX]

Originally posted by KathyTX
Speaking harshly and strongly when it helps to convey the message can be appropriate, as was Cheney's outburst.

A woman could use the same harsh language in an appropriate situation and it be okay.

 

[ThAnswr]

Originally posted by TnKrBeLlA012
Well until we have a women as a President,how is this title saying anything that sounds outdated or 50's???? Why can't this be a simple question on a First Lady choice? Does everything have hidden messages? Does this mean this is demeaning to women? Is the title First Lady innappropriate? You know I am a women,but I don't need constant validation of it. The one thing that drives me nuts are women who have to show they are just as tough as men, and their on a mission to prove this. Please just answer the question,don't make a debate out of the topic,it's just a simple question!!!!!!!

Maybe the women are as tough as men and if they are, why should they hide it?

Btw, how can you possibly answer the question without explaining why?

 

[Peter Pirate]

Teresa Heinz Kerry is great. She's self confident, intelligent and doesn't really care what we think about her. Is this good for her husbands campaign? Well maybe and maybe not. Some people will obviously find her to be a 'loose cannon' or 'rude' or some other adjective that will inadequately describe their real feelings of uncomfortable or intimidated...But all in all I seriously doubt that the first lady position will generate many, if any votes...

Laura Bush is a boring woman with absolutely nothing to say. I know many people respect her decorum and I understand that she is well educated (having been a librarian) but she brings nothing to the table as First Lady (IN MY OPINION) and offers nothing for public consumption that makes me think she has any qualities worth admiration. Being meek and polite is nice but hardly admirable, again IMO...

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Originally posted by KathyTX
It's all about context.

Speaking harshly and strongly when it helps to convey the message can be appropriate, as was Cheney's outburst.

A woman could use the same harsh language in an appropriate situation and it be okay.

But Heinz-Kerry is simply crude and embarrassing, with outbursts that don't fit the situations and a seeming lack of good judgement.

I'm sorry KathyTX but I don't agree. The context of her outbursts and the context of his are subject to personal opinion. And frankly I believe Cheney's diatribe on the floor of Congress was given a pass by many people because he's a man. What would you have said if Teresa Heinz-Kerry had used the same word to convey an appropriate message?

 

[snarfer1]

Originally posted by UncleKyle
I think it's more along the lines that she needed him to help her run for Senator and someday president. He was her meal ticket. I've never seen love between those two, it's more of a marriage of convenance.

BINGO, ITA. What others call a woman not afraid to speak her mind, I see as a cold-calculating individual. Everything is planned down to the last detail. BTW, that does NOT mean she would not be an effective president, or first lady, just my take on why she and Bill are still together!

As far as first ladies go, Mrs. Laura Bush. Just because she chooses to support her husband in public (He *IS* the President after all), and not become a Jerry Springer Audience Member, does not mean she has not thoughts or opinions. And before you flame me, I would hope the First Husband (First Man?) also would support his Wife The President in public.

Kinda like Hillary stood beside her man, denying the obvious truth of his repeated affairs, by making up a Right Wing Conspiracy Theory, when the truth was obvious! (Or the adoring looks of Love and Pride Mrs. Jim McGreevey gave her husband when he admited that not only did he cheat on his wife, he chose a man!)
If it is okay for these two ladies to stand by their men, why can't Mrs. Bush?

Tony

 

[snarfer1]

Originally posted by crazyforgoofy
Yep, she's a strong woman with opinions and an attitude. I wonder what you'd call a MAN who spoke as she does? I believe there's a double standard with sexism written all over it.

I believe you'll find sexism anywhere you want to!

 

[Maleficent13]

Originally posted by crazyforgoofy
I'm sorry KathyTX but I don't agree. The context of her outbursts and the context of his are subject to personal opinion. And frankly I believe Cheney's diatribe on the floor of Congress was given a pass by many people because he's a man. What would you have said if Teresa Heinz-Kerry had used the same word to convey an appropriate message?

I would have had the same reaction to her that I did to him when I heard it...which was:

Some people are tactful, some people are tactless. It is my experience that women are, generally speaking, more tactful than men...Heinz-Kerry appears to be an exception.

FTR, I have WAY less problem with the F-bomb (or any other curse word) than with someone calling me an idiot.

 

[snarfer1]

Originally posted by BedKnobbery2
I prefer Theresa. I feel like I've learned more about her after a few short months in the public limelight than I've learned about Laura Bush in the 4 years she's been First Lady. As someone else mentioned, I can't recall a less visible First Lady in recent history. Theresa strikes me as more "real". Yes, she is forthright and can be abrasive, but so can most of the people I know at one point or another. I, personally, find people who are always polite and smiling to be a little creepy. I always suspect there is a lot of pent-up negativity.

Good point. Ever think the left-wing media did not want to show the First Lady as she isn't a Democrat?

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
I think they both have a tendancy to be a bit crude.

by "both" do you mean John Kerry & Teresa Heinz Kerry or Laura Bush & Teresa Heinz Kerry? I just can't imagine Laura Bush being crude (at least in public).

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Originally posted by ThAnswr
Old feminist from the 60s...........ditto and nice to meet you.

Pleased to know you as well.

I think there are more of us out there than people think. Still raising Cain and trying to raise consciousness.....

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Originally posted by snarfer1
Good point. Ever think the left-wing media did not want to show the First Lady as she isn't a Democrat?

Well, I think I would have to believe in the myth of a "left-wing media" in order to think that. But since I don't believe that myth....nope!

 

[KrnB]

I think that Laura Bush does a wonderful job remembering that she was not the one elected president.

I bet she tells GW exactly what she thinks about certain policies when they are in private, and that is the correct place to do it. That's where I tell my husband what I think about what he is doing wrong - not in front of other people.

As a wife, I stand behind my husband. And he stands behind me. We support each other - that's what marriage is supposed to be.

IMO, the job of the President's spouse is to support the President, not have his or her own agenda. That's true with a First Lady, and it will be true once we finally have a woman as President.

If Heinz-Kerry or Hillary have their own agendas, THEY should be the ones running for office. As much as I don't like Hillary, I think she is finally doing what she should have done all along - working on her own agenda as an elected official.

 

[septbride2002]

Good point. Ever think the left-wing media did not want to show the First Lady as she isn't a Democrat?

Maybe they didn't show her because she hasn't done anything news worthy. Or maybe because like I suggested earlier she tends to just stand behind her husband and nod her head in agreement. I like Laura Bush but she has hardly done anything to stand out in the crowd. I've already asked for links showing me what she has been active in and not one person came forward.

I love it when people say left-wing media by the way. Yes I'm sure there are a lot of left-wing media but there are just as many right-wing media as well.

~Amanda

 

[snarfer1]

Originally posted by septbride2002
Maybe they didn't show her because she hasn't done anything news worthy. Or maybe because like I suggested earlier she tends to just stand behind her husband and nod her head in agreement. I like Laura Bush but she has hardly done anything to stand out in the crowd. I've already asked for links showing me what she has been active in and not one person came forward.

I love it when people say left-wing media by the way. Yes I'm sure there are a lot of left-wing media but there are just as many right-wing media as well.

~Amanda

Not in the real world. Look at CBS latest stunt! There is no question that the majority of current media outlets lean hard to the left. Sorry you can't see it!

 

[rcyannacci]

Originally posted by crazyforgoofy
Pleased to know you as well.

I think there are more of us out there than people think. Still raising Cain and trying to raise consciousness.....

As a 90's feminist (doesn't quite have the same punch, does it?), I salute you both!

 

[Crankyshank]

Originally posted by Toby'sFriend
My answer would be it depends on how you want the role of First Lady defined. If you are simply talking somebody to put on a nice dress, serve tea to the Emporess of Japan, and attend State Dinners --- well then I really don't care. Either woman can do that perfectly well.

If you want somebody to spend four years as an unpaid employee of the United States government, giving speeches and working to promote interest in social causes and gain support,

I would say Theresa Heinz Kerry, only because in four years Laura Bush has done very little of any of those things.

ITA. And like I said in the other thread, I find THK's candor refreshing

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Originally posted by snarfer1
Not in the real world. Look at CBS latest stunt! There is no question that the majority of current media outlets lean hard to the left. Sorry you can't see it!

What CBS stunt?

If you want a liberal media, try Mother Jones, try The Nation, try Air America. None are mainstream, but they *are* liberal. The mainstream media is, well, mainstream. With a slightly right lean, IMO--but not quite right enough for me to lump them all together as "right wing media"--well, except maybe Fox "News".

 

[septbride2002]

Yes please describe this stunt to us.

 

[jrydberg]

Originally posted by BedKnobbery2
If you want a liberal media, try Mother Jones, try The Nation, try Air America. None are mainstream, but they *are* liberal. The mainstream media is, well, mainstream. With a slightly right lean, IMO--but not quite right enough for me to lump them all together as "right wing media"--well, except maybe Fox "News".

The mainstream media is definitely not mainstream. There is a definite bias to the left. I've worked in a major media outlet and it's fairly obvious. It's not part of some overt attempt to slant news. The simple fact is that the profession attracts those of a more liberal mindset. Thus, they bring their own biases to work.

Mind you, they're not foaming at the mouth waiting to rip into the next conservative they see. But they are, as a group, a bit more liberal than the country as a whole. Fox used this fact of the media industry to create a niche for their product on the other side of the spectrum.