When was it that the candidates' wives became so involved in the presidential campaigns? Eleanor Roosevelt was a national figure because of her humanitarian causes, but she didn't introduce FDR at conventions. Bess Truman didn't even want to move to D.C. after Harry S became president. Mamie Eisenhower was reclusive--or maybe exclusive. Jacqueline Kennedy was a national icon for taste and style, which may have been the start of it all, while Lady Bird Johnson was involved in the human factor of her husband's campaigning. Pat Nixon, though, was more formal.
Betty Ford really burst through the First Lady curtain when she was frank with the American public about her facelift, breast cancer, and problems with prescription pills. And next came Roslyn Carter, who was her husband's political partner, upping the ante. Then a brief step backwards with Nancy Reagan (who provided Ronnie with the services of seer Jeanne Dixon), and forward again with the irrepressible Barbara Bush.
Hilary Clinton was probably the first total campaign wife, with Laura Bush following more decorously in her wake. This year Michelle Obama and Ann Romney are all geared up and out there stumping for their men--as a necessity. The public expects it.
Or at least that's how it seems to Fiorella, who's writing this at 10:30 pm when she would rather be sleeping.
Showing posts with label Nancy Reagan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nancy Reagan. Show all posts
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Slandering of Michelle Obama
One of the most disgusting political ploys on the market--actually, usually on anonymous email--is the slandering of Michelle Obama. Fio doesn't care what you think of a President's politics, but DON'T SLIME HIS WIFE OR CHILDREN.
The attacks on Mrs. Obama have been particularly nasty and virulent. For instance, that she spends too much money on clothes. Now, the Obamas can spend their own money any way they want, but Fio would bet that Michelle's wardrobe is a whole lot less expensive than Nancy Reagan's was--you never read about ol' Nance buying off the rack. Second, that she's bloated her personal staff, which has been contradicted by PolitiFact's research. Third, she said something snarky about the red, white, and blue, as supposedly lip-read by experts. In fact, real experts who were contacted by PolitiFact read her as saying something quite different, that it was interesting how the flag was folded..
But politics is politics, dirty tricks is the name of the game, people will believe what they want to believe, and adversaries who have no real arguments fall back on ad hominem.
The attacks on Mrs. Obama have been particularly nasty and virulent. For instance, that she spends too much money on clothes. Now, the Obamas can spend their own money any way they want, but Fio would bet that Michelle's wardrobe is a whole lot less expensive than Nancy Reagan's was--you never read about ol' Nance buying off the rack. Second, that she's bloated her personal staff, which has been contradicted by PolitiFact's research. Third, she said something snarky about the red, white, and blue, as supposedly lip-read by experts. In fact, real experts who were contacted by PolitiFact read her as saying something quite different, that it was interesting how the flag was folded..
But politics is politics, dirty tricks is the name of the game, people will believe what they want to believe, and adversaries who have no real arguments fall back on ad hominem.
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