Dean's Wife Shuns Politics

NY Times ^ | January 13, 2004 | JODI WILGOREN

[TigersEye]

Can't tell.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

How will that play in the press Democrat or not?

That's what I was saying. Even the media, as slanted as they are, will require her to "step up" or it will not play well. Shunning the limelight as the wife of the governor of a bucolic little state might not matter too much, on the national level it ultimately won't fly.

[Joe Republc]

Not trying to start a rumor here, but isn't there some tie between Mrs. Dean and Planned Parenthood and abortion? I thought this was discussed in an earlier Freeper thread.

-- Joe

[TigersEye]

And yet another FReeper argues my point for me. Thank you!

[twigs]

She should be left alone.

I agree with you, although I do believe that if he wins the nomination, voters should have the opportunity to see and appraise his wife. They are important--witness the differences in Hillary and Laura and the roles they have played in their husbands' career. However, I respect a man who does not feel the need to use his wife as a prop for his career. I don't think this is necessarily a woman's rights issue. She is a doctor with patients and probably stays on call a lot. Her patients have entrusted their health to her and don't need her leaving to trapse around the country with her husband. And they have two teen-aged children. She's active with the them and their schools. Good on her! That's what moms are supposed to do.

But like I said, this all changes to me if he wins the nomination. Voters need to see her if they are being asked to vote for him. Wives matter--a lot.

[Phantom Lord]

Such an uproar would only occur if the president were a republican.

[twigs]

he sure set the bar pretty low.

You think? She's a successful doctor, committed mother and by all accounts, made much higher grades in med school than he did. When he's not acting out, he's not bad looking. I don't like him, but give him credit where it is due. I've always respected men who can handle a more intelligent wife. And the fact that she's not a ravishing beauty is another point in his favor. He doesn't have many points in his favor, but he deserves this one.

[TigersEye]

Voters also have begun to ask about a marriage in which the partners are so often apart — she skipped Dr. Dean's birthday-party fund-raiser, the family-oriented Renaissance Weekend, even the emotional repatriation ceremony of his brother's remains in Hawaii.

Sounds like she's ready to jump right in and lend the campaign a helping hand. Not!

[rabidralph]

I'm just recalling the slight uproar that was created when the Clintons sent Chelsea to a private school and some people complained they were setting a bad example by shunning DC's failed public schools.

[truthandjustice1]

"Dean saying "hey, you stay out of the limelight all you want..."

Why the long face, Mrs. Dean?

[CarolAnn]

If Dean were to be elected (God help us...) I'm wondering if we would have a first lady. If her practice is so important that she can't take some time off to support her husband, she probably wouldn't move into the White House. I guess I'm just a little old fashioned. I think a woman should support her husband in any worthy endeavor.

[VMI70]

Well said.

My take is that she works hard serving her fellow man, and she is probably honest. These two traits, with very rare exception, are not found in politicians of any stripe.

[twigs]

I said that if her husband wins the Dem nomination, then she should campaign with him. Seeing his wife is an important part of deciding whether or not to vote for the man. I can understand why she didn't campaign until now. She has a medical practice with patients who have entrusted themselves to her. IF she wants to continue this, heaven forbid if Dean should ever get to the WH, then I would think very poorly of her. I just don't see any reason to--yet.

[Dr._Joseph_Warren]

Disagree. The President is there to run the country, not to minister to the spiritual needs of Americans. The job of President is more like that of a CEO than that of a minister.

I've always been annoyed by how large a role the First Lady has. Nowhere in the constitution does it say that the First Lady should have a budget of millions of dollars, an office and a role in governmnet.

I didn't elect the First Lady and I don't want to see her at meetings and she is NOT a representative of the state. Hillary is an example of an empowered First Lady.

I would never vote for Dean, but I find he and his wife's position on this to be quite refreshing and correct.

More power to them!!

[Phantom Lord]

It was a minimal uproar, and the Clintons were right to do what they did.

[swampfox98]

("She got a 99, I got a 35," he said. "34 was passing.")

Why in the world do the Democrats want this guy? If they are really serious, why don't they pick Gephardt who at least has experience in government?

There has to be a hidden element in this Democrat Primary thing. Could it be Hitlary?

[TigersEye]

It very well could be Hillary. She picked a fine time to relaunch her healthcare plans; the eve of the Iowa caucus!?! But other than that just look at who Dean's followers are; the total nutcakes. Without the young snot-and-rags protester holding a "Bush is Hitler" sign he wouldn't have much.

[TigersEye]

Those are very nice sentiments and if I thought that Dr. Dean were sincere about anything I would applaud him for it. But looking at this from another POV; do you think she could maintain her practice if he were elected?

[Libloather]

My guess - she's voting for Dubya...

[Howlin]

Maybe Edwards is her guy?

BTW, I'm worried that he may get the nomination by default.