Posted on 05/22/2008 4:35:00 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
CNN correspondent Carol Costello compared Cindy McCain to a "Stepford Wife" due to her "low key" role in her husband’s campaign so far, in a segment on Wednesday’s "The Situation Room." Costello, detailing Mrs. McCain’s recent photo spread in Vogue magazine, stated the feature "projects an image quite unlike the Cindy McCain we see on the trail," and a talking head described this "Cindy McCain we see" as "low key... taking the traditional role of standing by her husband's side at events." Costello then quipped, "A role critics say makes Mrs. McCain look like -- well, Glenn Close in the movie ‘The Stepford Wives.’" [audio available here]
On the other hand, Costello described Michelle Obama’s Vogue spread more glowingly: "...Michelle Obama chose a traditional black dress with pearl earrings for her Vogue spread. As The Washington Post described it, it was if Michelle Obama was saying 'I am not some scary other.... I am Camelot with a tan.'"
Twice in her report, Costello emphasized that most people "don't really know much about Cindy McCain," except that she’s "really, really rich." After making this point the second time, Costello continued by bringing up the issue of Mrs. McCain’s tax returns. "What voters do know about her -- well, she's enormously wealthy, and she says she won't release her tax returns ever -- which says to voters, you're not one of us -- hence Vogue and the jeans."
Costello followed this portrayal of Cindy McCain by comparing it to Michelle Obama’s Vogue spread. "Interestingly, while Cindy McCain chose jeans for her Vogue spread, her likely competitor, Michelle Obama, chose a traditional black dress with pearl earrings for her Vogue spread. As The Washington Post described it, it was if Michelle Obama was saying 'I am not some scary other.... I am Camelot with a tan.'" The Washington Post quotation came from a May 18 piece by Robin Givhan which described the two Vogue features. In her article, Givhan also used the "Stepford wife" term.
Let’s get this straight: Mrs. McCain’s refusal to release her tax returns makes her some kind of elitist, but Michelle Obama, the millionaire, wearing a "traditional black dress with pearl earrings" is an attempt to connect with average voters? As if we needed another indication that CNN leans towards the Obamas.
The full transcript of Carol Costello’s segment, which first ran at the end of the 6 pm hour of Wednesday’s "The Situation Room:"
WOLF BLITZER: John McCain's wife Cindy is taking center stage in a whole new way. She's featured in a spread in Vogue magazine -- a move possibly aimed at a very specific goal. Let's go back to Carol. She's looking at this story for us. What are you seeing, Carol? What are you hearing?
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, you know, most of us don't really know much about Cindy McCain, except she's really, really rich. But if you take a peak at Vogue magazine, you may get a more well-rounded view.
COSTELLO (voice-over): Ooh la-la -- Cindy McCain in Vogue magazine looks spectacular, lounging at her seaside condo, sans John McCain -- feet bare, wearing size zero jeans. She projects an image quite unlike the Cindy McCain we see on the campaign trail.
SUSAN MACMANUS, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA: So far, Cindy McCain has been low-key. She's been sort of taking the traditional role of standing by her side -- her husband's side at events and clapping and smiling and being supportive of her husband.
COSTELLO: A role critics say makes Mrs. McCain look like -- well, Glenn Close in the movie 'The Stepford Wives.'
GLENN CLOSE (from "THE STEPFORD WIVES"): Well, that's all marvelous.
GLORIA ROEMER, REPUBLICAN CONSULTANT: Well, you know, there's that saying that's been going on for years, you know, don't hate me because I'm beautiful. And that may apply here, because, you know, she is very attractive. You know, she can't help it.
COSTELLO: Roemer says Mrs. McCain's exterior belies who she really is. Mrs. McCain isn't perfect. She suffered a stroke four years ago and worked hard to overcome its affects. She donates tons of time and money to charitable causes. What voters do know about her -- well, she's enormously wealthy, and she says she won't release her tax returns ever -- which says to voters, you're not one of us -- hence Vogue and the jeans.
MACMANUS: Jeans are as all-American as apple pie, and in the fashion world, no matter what they look like, they're in fashion, and so it's no surprise that Cindy McCain would choose a spread with jeans and a nice shirt.
COSTELLO: Interestingly, while Cindy McCain chose jeans for her Vogue spread, her likely competitor, Michelle Obama, chose a traditional black dress with pearl earrings for her Vogue spread. As The Washington Post described it, it was if Michelle Obama was saying 'I am not some scary other.... I am Camelot with a tan.' Whether these images will sway voters one way or another remains to be seen. But we're still in the 'getting to know you' stage.
COSTELLO (on-camera): And, in short, expect both would-be First Ladies to be much more visible in the near future, so you can get to know them -- Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, thanks very much. I'm looking forward to reading that article and seeing the pictures. Carol, see you tomorrow.
Liberal females despise few things more than ladies with class and dignity.
Ya, if only Mrs. McCain were a caustic, preachy, America-hating, b*tch like Michelle Obama, then we could support her!
Don’t know much about Cindy. Her choice is men is bad. At least she keeps her mouth shut, unlike Michelle “Aunt Esther” Obama.
Cindy is no Michelle Obama, that’s for sure.
She does lay back a lot. I don’t think I have ever heard her speak. So I can’t even say whether she would be likeable or not. She seems like a gorgeous sweet person.
Hillary’s scorned female supporters are up for grabs. This would be a good time for Mrs. McCain to go from Stepford to Step-forward!
Lets hear some compliments about Hillary. Tell the world how impressive she is. Definitely a role model EVEN if I disagree with some of her policies. While you are at it, do tell the world that you were genuinely bothered by some of the SEXIST media coverage Hillary got. Say that I want my Husband to win, but not like this.
C’mon people. Politics ain’t bean bag. Lets get eff going over here. We are getting killed.
The McCain’s home is in Architectural Digest this month. Hokey, but expensive, Southwest style.
You forgot beer baroness.
Bo Derek needs to be taken out of that list, because it muddles up the Criteria.
If Actresses, Models and Singers are going to be included in who’s-got-the-hot-women list, I hate to inform you, but we will get clobberred so bad, its not even funny.
I think Mrs. McCain has spoken out once, which was in response to Mrs. Obama’s “First time in my adult life...” speech.
However, I think his wife is a classy lady and doing what a wife should do, standing by her man. She is NOT the one running for POTUS (although I think michelle my belle thinks she is).
I have yet to hear ANYTHING derogatory Mrs. McCain has stated about our great country; therefore, I have no negatives in regards to her. Her husband, yes, but not her.
If the Lord allowed me to hate, I would hate fake messiah AND his wife. For now, I immensely dislike them.
Later on, she must have had sex with the right producer because they put her on 'CNN Daybreak'.
Now Carol Costello plays the role of CNN's smart n' sassy chick. It's all show business.
Remember that CNN is the news station where they have anchors who are methamphetamine-fueled junkies cruising public parks for gay sex with a dog leash attached from their neck to their scrotum.
“Lets hear some compliments about Hillary.”
Okay. She’s taking the fight with the fake messiah to it’s death! mclame won’t even take it on, at least she has the “bleeps” to do so.
And no, that didn’t hurt a bit.
Who told you to eat broccoli? Hmmmm?
Sheesh,Hillary disease
The press repeatedly applauded Jackie Kennedy for being the perfect wife, mother, and First Lady. They continually pointed out her beauty, her education, and her trend-setting fashion sense. Like Cindy McCain, Jackie Kennedy appeared at her husband’s side, but she wasn’t one to actively take part in speaking at campaign events. Of course, for the liberal media, those attributes were admirable because JFK was a Democrat. Cindy McCain exhibits similar behavior, and she’s labeled a “Stepford Wife.”
I do not know much about Cindy. When it comes to Michelle Obama, I see a woman who is running the show. She is wearing the pants because it is she, who wants to be the POTUS. We nay call it POTUS, but she wants to be dictator.
Ugh
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