Posted on 02/15/2014 3:04:02 PM PST by lbryce
A survey of academics has found that Eleanor Roosevelt was the nation's best first lady. Michelle Obama ranks fifth.
The findings from the Siena College/C-SPAN poll were released Saturday.
Hillary Clinton dropped from fourth to sixth since the last survey in 2008.
(Excerpt) Read more at montrealgazette.com ...
No, that would be Woodrow Wilson's second wife, who married him after his first wife conveniently died, took him from Pacifist to Hawk, got the US into the European war and who usurped power after he was conveniently disabled.
I like first ladies or first gentlemen who blend into the background. They should have useful, but not political causes, like disabled vets or sick children. They shouldn’t do things like hang condoms on the White House Christmas tree, or spend fortunes on extravagance. They should show a little respect for the American people, at least giving the pretense of feeling grateful and honored to be where they are, not acting like some kind of celebrity pop star to be adored by fans.
Michelle is an insecure cow who isn’t comfortable in her own skin, and she tries to overcome that by extravagance. Nothing could possibly make her look better, not even following her own dietary advise. A real man might help her gain a little self respect and confidence, but she is unlikely to get help from her effeminate faggot.
I am very glad Dolly made the list because she invented ice cream. To me that is an outstanding event, much more important than trying to starve kids the way Michelle is doing.
Martha Washington was certainly one of the best. She worked tirelessly to help the Revolutionary troops and wounded; and also hosted visiting dignitaries virtually every evening of her husband’s residence at Mount Vernon, where the Founding was discussed endlessly. She also ran his large plantation and export business during the many times he was away as a General or as President.
eh? best at what!?! looking ugly?
The “scholars” chose Dolly Madison because of the delicious pastries she invented and Abigail Adams because the name sounds “kewl”.
Yes, and this is why most people can only go back about half a dozen. Up until the post-war years very few first ladies were well known. Mary Todd Lincoln was considered by most people of the time as bat-poo crazy. We really ought to grateful for Edith Wilson; she turned out to be a much better president than her husband. Bess Truman is best known for teaching her husband to say “manure”. Betty Ford, Pat Nixon, and Nancy Reagan (sorry, I know Ronnie loved her), well, as Mom told me, “If you can’t say something nice...”.
So, your first sentence really sums it up, KoRn. Thank you.
There, fixed it.
>> I never knew an “academic” that knew much about the real world……..
Or sympathetic to communism.
Dolly Madison was known as a fashion plate, and imported many gowns from Europe, like Jackie. Gosh, what an accomplishment — not. However, after Madison's death she lost the beautiful Virginia estate home where her husband wrote the draft of the Consitution, because one of her sons was a substance abuser and she indulged him. A foundation has only recently acquired the property and has been rehabilitating it.
Abigail Adams was an early feminist. So there you have that.
In my lifetime, the presidents I remember (I don’t remember Truman, my first president) were married to Mamie Eisenhower, Jackie Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, Betty Ford, Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama.
Eisenhower was a good officer’s wife.
Kennedy was discreet.
Lady Bird was awkward
Pat was dignified
Betty was troubled
Rosalyn was supportive
Nancy was a flake
Barbara was insightful
Hillary was scheming
Laura was outreaching
Michelle was background
If I had to pick one that would fit in as a ceremonial head of state, I’d pick Barbara Bush. Just my humble opinion.
What a disgrace to say that Roosevelt, Moose and Slick Willie’s wife can even come close to Abigail Adams. This “poll” is FOS.
Consitution = Constitution
Scaring the crap out of small children would be my guess.
Exactly. Edith Wilson was effectively President for at least the last two years of Wilson’s term, a story that deserves much more attention.
The press seems to have mostly covered it up then.
Good catch!
Eleanor Roosevelt was a communist sow. Apologies to swine worldwide.
FIRST: Read the excerpt from the article (below)
"The findings from the Siena College/C-SPAN poll were released Saturday.
Hillary Clinton dropped from fourth to sixth since the last survey in 2008.
Abigail Adams kept her second place standing, and Jacqueline Kennedy retained third place. Dolley Madison was fourth.
Clinton is seen as the former first lady with the most presidential potential.
NOW - Fill in the blank:
Of the top five First Ladies, number one was __________________
He was a bachelor (smart man).
But it's fair to say that Buchanan's First Lady was one of the very best—they say she was the first woman to be referred to by that title. Her name was Harriet Lane, and she was his niece. She was well educated, graceful, stylish, and knowledgeable about manners and protocol from the time she spent handling social matters for Buchanan when he was Ambassador to the Court of St. James. She was notably adept at keeping the peace at White House dinners by managing the seating arrangements carefully—for instance not seating political enemies next to each other.
She later married well and died wealthy, leaving money to what would become Johns Hopkins Medical Center and bequeathing paintings to what was later called the Smithsonian Museum—oh, and she insisted a statue of Buchanan be built in Washington, and it was, over the objections of sniffy northern Senators.
I’ve always said Dolly was my favorite because of ice cream too.
I love ice cream!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.