Peggy Noonan: Advice for the ladies who seek to become first lady
It's gotten catty out there. Jeri Thompson is a trophy wife, as is Cindy McCain. Michelle Obama is too offhand and irreverent when speaking of her husband, and Judith Giuliani is a puppy-stapling princess. Even Hillary Clinton was a focus, for wearing an outfit that suggested, however faintly, that underneath her clothing she may be naked, and have breasts....
The challenge for the spouses of modern candidates is that what is expected of women in general has changed. This is reflected in the first lady's role, and the role of the candidate's spouse.
Mamie Eisenhower was a housewife, Bess Truman so ordinary that she didn't want to live in Washington preferring the more normal humans of Missouri. Lady Bird Johnson lived for Lyndon. Eleanor Roosevelt was the exception, a groundbreaker. But Jackie Kennedy shivered at the thought of being compared to Mrs. Roosevelt, and said Jack doesn't want to talk politics when he comes home.
First ladies were once more or less average, and were expected to be. Now they are accomplished, worldly, and expected to be. Candidates for the first lady's job have to find a balance. It's delicate. Strong is good, aggressive not. A person who cares, yes; a person who pushes an agenda, no.
Some old rules apply as the transition from old style to new style continues.
• Americans would prefer a first lady who doesn't seem like she ever hungered for it. They don't want someone who needs the job, they want someone who puts up with it with grace. This gets us to Laura Bush, who seems from the beginning to have had no particular desire for the White House. She always telegraphs that she'd have been happy staying home, smoking cigarettes, and admiring her family. First lady is an elevated title. We'd rather elevate someone who's making a sacrifice, not someone who's grabbing a rung....
[Noonan goes on to list other requirements for first ladies.]
Read entire article at WSJ
The challenge for the spouses of modern candidates is that what is expected of women in general has changed. This is reflected in the first lady's role, and the role of the candidate's spouse.
Mamie Eisenhower was a housewife, Bess Truman so ordinary that she didn't want to live in Washington preferring the more normal humans of Missouri. Lady Bird Johnson lived for Lyndon. Eleanor Roosevelt was the exception, a groundbreaker. But Jackie Kennedy shivered at the thought of being compared to Mrs. Roosevelt, and said Jack doesn't want to talk politics when he comes home.
First ladies were once more or less average, and were expected to be. Now they are accomplished, worldly, and expected to be. Candidates for the first lady's job have to find a balance. It's delicate. Strong is good, aggressive not. A person who cares, yes; a person who pushes an agenda, no.
Some old rules apply as the transition from old style to new style continues.
• Americans would prefer a first lady who doesn't seem like she ever hungered for it. They don't want someone who needs the job, they want someone who puts up with it with grace. This gets us to Laura Bush, who seems from the beginning to have had no particular desire for the White House. She always telegraphs that she'd have been happy staying home, smoking cigarettes, and admiring her family. First lady is an elevated title. We'd rather elevate someone who's making a sacrifice, not someone who's grabbing a rung....
[Noonan goes on to list other requirements for first ladies.]