My suspicions about Laura Bush's lack of deep wisdom have at last been proven true. Even though she has shown uncommonly poor judgement in her choice of spouse, I was willing to give Laura the Librarian the benefit of the doubt only because she claims to be a serious book worm. I ascribed her marital decision to (a) true love (b) youthful indiscretion (c) a romantic desire to rescue a lost and rudderless young man from his demons and Jim Beam (d) a sheltered, only child, confusing frat boyish obnoxiousness for high spirits .... etc. etc. But it is clear now that she may indeed be the vacuous, Stepford Wife that many of my friends suspected her to be, more concerned with the glamor and privilege of being a presidential spouse, than fully appreciating the range and scope of presidential responsibilities. And even if she does comprehend it, she is pretty good at hiding that fact behind bland and meaningless pablum of outmoded conventionality.
During an interview with People magazine, the First Couple answered questions as illuminating as what the Cheneys think of their gay daughter Mary's impending parenthood; whether George W. Bush sleeps well at night (no, not what you and I are thinking, but whether he takes sleep aids); and lastly, if either of them thinks that a woman could become the president of the US (they both think it is possible). Specifically, the Bushes discussed if Condoleeza Rice would make a good presidential candidate.
"The President also said there is no doubt in his mind that a woman candidate could be president, and the First Lady agreed. Mrs. Bush referenced Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and noted that while she would be a "really good candidate", Rice is not interested in the job.
"Probably because she is single, her parents are no longer living, she's an only child. You need a very supportive family and supportive friends to have this job," the First Lady said."
Many of us know that Rice is unmarried and has no parents or siblings. Did Mrs. Bush also imply that she has no friends? And if she doesn't, isn't it a bit catty of the First Lady to announce that publicly? So, what is it that Mrs. Bush is saying that a woman needs to bring to the White House as an acceptable presidential package? A husband, a room full of close relatives, a couple of kids, two dogs and a cat? Hillary Clinton will fulfill at least some those requirements if elected president. But in her case, more Americans will be focused on the high octane, larger than life presidential spouse who will share the living quarters ( and the Oval Office?) with her. And Rice cannot run because she doesn't have a man in tow. What's a woman to do? The American president is afforded a full coterie of hard working domestic and official staff, advisers and cabinet members who can be relied upon to help the presidency stay on track if the man or the woman they are serving, is competent. A president without a spouse can get elected and serve. A widower and a bachelor have already done that.
"No, Mrs Bush. Condoleeza Rice should not run for president and she can not win; not because she is a lonely soul but because she will make a terrible president. Her incompetence and lack of vision have been adequately demonstrated during the past six years under your husband's disastrous leadership. There will always be a mushroom cloud hanging over her credibility. Her marital status has nothing to do with it. We know that the Bush family is big on "family support." While that may give comfort and satisfaction to family members, it can sometimes be a curse for the rest of the world, as it has been in the case of your husband. His tenure will be a shameful blot on the Bush family's legacy and the presidential archives. It will serve as an example of what harm can come of a powerful family placing its dynastic ambitions above the good of the nation. In some cases, the lack of a meddling presidential family may actually be good for the country."
I wish the interviewer had asked the Bushes if Mary Cheney would be an acceptable president in their view. Ms Cheney has a devoted long time partner, a very supportive, politically savvy family and is about to give birth to a child. She isn't at all the kind of lonely, needy woman that Laura Bush pities so much. I would have loved to hear the Bushes answer that question.
Comments