It is very rare to see Laura Bush in the White House Briefing Room. For the last seven years, she has stayed almost completely behind the scenes. Today's briefing could have been handled by any number of officials in the Bush Administration, and her speaking to the issue was likely intended to demonstrate her devotion to humanitarian relief and her opposition to the junta. Laura Bush handled herself very well.
If I were a GOP operative, I would constantly advocate for a greater public role for Mrs. Bush. Consider the following factors: (1) Her husband's approval rating is hovering around 30%; (2) As much as many liberals love Michelle Obama, far too many Americans see her as an angry black woman who isn't proud of her country; (3) it helps Republicans to continually use the stand up line "Do you really want Bill Clinton back in the White House with nothing to do?"; (4) Cindy McCain looks more like a First Lady than any other First Lady in History.
Because of the last factor, more than any other, elevating the role a first lady can play, and perhaps even should play, in public life only helps John McCain. One reasonable strategy for the Republicans going forward is to elevate the public roles of both Laura Bush and Cindy McCain.
Labels: 2008, Augur, republican politics, strategy and tactics
Just out of curiosity, what is it about Cindy McCain that makes you think she looks like a First Lady? For that matter, what exactly makes someone First Lady material? And since I'm on the subject, would those characteristics apply to a man as well? This last one is purely hypothetical as I think Senator Clinton has about as much chance at this point of winning the presidency as a one-legged man in the All County Ass Kicking Contest.
I find Cindy McCain creepy and off-putting.
I also would like to know what you mean by "looks like a first lady".
Did you consider Elanor Roosevelt to "look" like a first lady?
I'd rather have a president "act" like a president, rather than "look" look like one.
This applies to the First Lady/Man as well.
Diogenes: I'm going to cite gaywired, though it may prompt ridicule, b/c it outlines the first lady look.
http://www.gaywired.com/article.cfm?section=163&id=18379
We don't yet have a model for a man, but Bill Clinton doesn't fit any model. Good line about the ass kickin contest
BJP: the strategic move is to court masses of middle american swing voters, not your demographic or mine :) would probably work well on christian women and other traditional women who may vote for hillary b/c of the historic nature of her candidacy but would be a toss up otherwise.
Segen - i mean the same thing, ahem, gaywired does. She fits the part, extreme elegance, almost stately beauty, exudes class and grace.
Elenore Roosevelt looked more like a horse than a first lady, but that doesn't diminish my respect for her. I'm not saying we should rate a first lady's intrinsic worth based on whether she "looks the part" but there is an undeniable political utility for the GOP to advance Cindy b/c a big chunk of americans favor Cindy to Michelle.
Your line about preferring a pres who acts like one, I think we would all concur in most cases if there were a clear meaning of "acting like a president"
W/ a first lady, we've had first lady's take radically different roles from Mrs. Abigale Adams, Edith Wilson, Eleanore to all of those forgotten by history.
Interesting and original, good contribution. thanks.
I'm with Brian. I find Cindy McCain creepy. For some reason, she strikes me as vaguely reptilian...something in the eyes and the grin. Couldn't say what though.