I mean it! I am a loudmouth at times, often opening my mouth and having words come out without going through that censor "is this a wise thing to say?" in my brain.
I'm impulsive -- I'm a little too gregarious at times. I would make a HORRIBLE First Lady for our country. People would be embarrassed to be around me.
I say this because I think Teresa Heinz-Kerry is a lot like me. If her husband is elected President, I'm wondering what it is going to be like with Teresa as First Lady.
In comparison to the stylish elegance and properness of Nancy Reagan, for instance, or Barbara Bush. This would be quite a change.
I'm not saying it's good or bad -- just that it will be very very different. I'm also wondering if her attitude is chasing away some of the female votes from Kerry (of course, it could be bringing in others....)
Farmgirl
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
1. Yes. I have a friend who extremely dislikes Teresa Heinz. She said that rude only turns eccentric if you can buy the people reporting it, but it's still rude. Of course she's brave - who's going to tell her differently?
2. I think she'd be fun.
3. From the link, the woman who said this is an idiot: " "Laura is a gracious person, but she's been relegated to being a pretty picture," noted publishing heiress Marie Ridder. "Whereas John Kerry does listen to Teresa, who has a powerful voice.""
Just because you con't see the consultations going on, it doesn't mean they don't happen. Yes, the public is shut out of their private life. That's perfectly fine.
quote:"I think Washington will be more active" with Mrs. Kerry in the White House, said Democratic stalwart Esther Coopersmith. "I don't think John Kerry and Teresa will go to bed at 9 o'clock." Described as "with it" by people she knows, Mrs. Kerry's sophisticated social circle is in stark contrast to Mrs. Bush's down-home Texas ways.
4. Of all the people who has opinions, those who are happy because the first lady would more closely resemble Paris Hilton are at the bottom of the list of people to listen to.
quote:She is often tardy, explaining that she doesn't like to "be bossed around" by anyone.
5. Well...
I'm late all the time, and I don't wear a watch, and I have to admit it's for probably the same reason.
It's still incredibly rude, especially when people are waiting just for you. I'm on time for things that don't happen until I get there (usually - I try). I'm just a bit lacksadaisical about things where I'll just join in.
[ October 22, 2004, 02:15 PM: Message edited by: katharina ]
Posted by dread pirate romany (Member # 6869) on :
So far, in my completely unscientific surveys of my friends, the only people I know to badmouth Teresa are conservative males. My female freinds think she would make a great first lady.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Is this a game? Cool!
If I were First Lady..................
...............the president would be in favor of legalizing/recognizing same-sex marriages.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Yes, I agree with your point #3 there, kat. I think highly of Laura Bush, and I know she is her own person. I don't agree with the person that stated that.
FG
Posted by CStroman (Member # 6872) on :
Icarus: That was good.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
quote:"Most political wives are anesthetized by the time they even get close to the White House," said French Wallop, ex-wife of former Republican Sen. Malcolm Wallop of Wyoming, "They are not able to speak their minds, terrorized by the staff or their husbands. Teresa doesn't give a fig leaf what anybody cares about her." Mrs. Wallop points out that the Bushes have only hosted "what, four or five state dinners in four years? These people don't understand that to get things done you have to have these stupid dinners." On the topic of Laura vs. Teresa, Mrs. Wallop said, "Middle America would find Laura Bush more palatable than an intimidating person such as Teresa."
Okay, I'm reading the rest of it. Of all the criticisms that can be leveled against Bush, I don't think "ineffective" is one of them.
The ex-wife of a former senator from Wyoming. Why is this called polite society?
[ October 22, 2004, 02:29 PM: Message edited by: katharina ]
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Okay - that wasn't the best link -- but I was trying to find one that no one would use to accuse me of throwing out "anti-Kerry, pro-Bush" stuff, because I wanted to talk about JUST First Ladies.
But I think pretty much everyone has already heard on the news all the times Teresa has already put her foot in her mouth. I think news reporters will have a heyday with her quotes if they win office.
Farmgirl
Posted by CStroman (Member # 6872) on :
That may be interesting Farmgirl.
"From Bushisms to the Heinz Reich: The Oral blunders of the White House"
Sounds like a future book if Kerry wins.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
I'm not disagreeing with anything anyone has said, or being partisan, but I'm surprised if you can't remember that people had the same field day with Nancy Reagan, back before she became a symbol for tragic love and loyalty. Stylishly elegant and proper? If anything, all this goes to show is that history will eventually sanitize any first lady's reputation. (cf. Eleanor Roosevelt)
Posted by CStroman (Member # 6872) on :
I would disagree based on the "Reagan" T.V. show. But that's just me. (Go Babs! hehe)
[ October 22, 2004, 02:37 PM: Message edited by: CStroman ]
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Chad, I'm not sure what you're saying you disagree with.
-o-
quote: Miss Ginsburg has known Mrs. Kerry for years — saying, "we shared a ski instructor"
o_O
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
but...we aren't electing her, anymore than we elected Laura Bush, or the Bush twins, or Cheney's daughter. We don't vote for their families--we vote for them.
Seriously, I know family members are high-profile and therefore easy targets, but I really wonder at people who make family members a big issue. Is it because it's an easy shot, or do you honestly think there's some political relevance? To me, it just seems to be another superficial issue, like a candidate's appearance.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
quote: but...we aren't electing her, anymore than we elected Laura Bush
I hope you weren't directing this at me, Megan -- because I certainly was NOT trying to say this should have any influence at all on who people vote for. I agree with you that we are voting for the man.
I was just saying it will be curious to see this change, and see how people handle it, if it happens.
FG
Posted by CStroman (Member # 6872) on :
quote: but...we aren't electing her, anymore than we elected Laura Bush, or the Bush twins, or Cheney's daughter. We don't vote for their families--we vote for them.
Idyllicly? Yes, but I know quite a few people who voted for Clinton because he was "better looking" and a few who are voting for Kerry because he's "tall and has great hair".
Also I was disagreeing that First Ladies get "sanitized" with age and was pointing to the recent "Reagans" TV show as evidence that's not entirely the case.
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
Farmgirl, not at all!
It wasn't directed at anyone really...just commenting on the general fuss and bother over candidates' relatives. It's the same spiel I trotted out when Clinton was in office when people would fuss and bother over Hillary and Chelsea. It was very off-topic.
I think it will be very interesting to see reactions, but ...I do tend to think that the people who react poorly to her will be the same people who reacted poorly to Hillary. I don't really have an opinion about her per se; I haven't read enough about her to have one (since I make a point of avoiding any commentary whatsoever on candidates' relatives...for the most part...cause otherwise I'd be a big ol' hypocritical weenie...)
*trails off*
Ok, I'm done babbling now.
Tuna fish!
No, ok, really done now.
Posted by Sara Sasse (Member # 6804) on :
FWIW, I both agreed with Megan and found your first post to be absolutely clear and honestly curious, Farmgirl. It seemed completely appropriate.
Posted by CStroman (Member # 6872) on :
quote: If I were First Lady...................
With either candidate....I'd get a divorce. But that's just me.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
If I were First Lady....................
I'd get ahold of John Edwards and ask his advice
on a good lawyer...
to go after the doctors...
that made such a life changing alteration to my, um, wardrobe.
Come on. I only went in to have my appendix removed...
(PS. If Farmgirl were first lady, I'd be upset. I voted for her for President!)
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
quote: French Wallop, ex-wife
What an unfortunate combination of names. I'm finding it difficult to believe she retained her ex-husband's last name after the divorce! I mean her maiden name could only be worse if it was "Kiss"
AJ
Posted by CStroman (Member # 6872) on :
I would like to see a woman run and win. In fact I would like to see an African American and Woman run together. Depending on the issues, I'd have a hard time not wanting to vote for them.
Posted by CStroman (Member # 6872) on :
AJ, that was good.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Are these real people???
quote: "They argue, they discuss, they carry on," said Pie Friendly , longtime Washington hostess and friend.
Who has names like these? are they covers for informants?
AJ
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Anika Jello, I'm surprised you have to ask. Of course only girls with distinctive names are let into the best parties.
--Kiki Pudding
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Dear Mr. X, I'm sorry but I'm declining your party invitation. I only attend the best parties and yours isn't high enough caliber.
-Kiki Pudding
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Okay, Chad. I don't watch very much TV, so I am not familiar with the movie. I assume, then, that it was negative in it's portrayal of Nancy Reagan?
It sounds like we agree on the larger question, then.
Posted by CStroman (Member # 6872) on :
Icarus: Yes, and yes. It starred James Brolin as Ron and another lady I can't remember as Nancy. The portrayal of her made Mrs. Kerry a saint.
But I agree on your original point.
Posted by Irami Osei-Frimpong (Member # 2229) on :
Laura Bush is the only first lady who doesn't do a thing for me. And Jenna Bush is exceedingly unimpressive. The other daughter seems charming enough, and more importantly, has deeper awareness of morality. I can't stomach twits. I don't think they are cute. I don't think that it's okay because she is young. Jenna Bush raises all of those feelings in me that Hillary Clinton brings about in middle America.
I do like Ms. Edwards. I like John Kerry more for marrying Heinz-Kerry. And I've liked just about all of the other First Lady's until Laura Bush. And the big question, the one that no one in polite society would ask. If Laura Bush is such a good mother and wife. Shouldn't that be evident in her daughters and husband?
[ October 22, 2004, 06:35 PM: Message edited by: Irami Osei-Frimpong ]
Posted by dread pirate romany (Member # 6869) on :
Frech Wallop? Pie Friendly? Is this article from The Onion?