CNN

Eric, from THE Republic of Texas

My point wasn't to pin the sexist label on you, though I can understand why you thought I was attempting that. I should have been more clear, my apologies if you were offended.

Back to my original point/post:
I agree with your assertion that "getting a two for one deal" isn't the right way to campaign. I also agree that riding coattails of your spouse to seek high office later is BS. They should start at the bottom of pile like every one else if you want to get involved in politics.

However, Shriver's forum was addressing the concept of first ladies/spouses taking a hands on roll in campaigns, etc. I don't believe that Shriver was doing this because she is the governor’s wife and wants attention. I think she was trying to give a woman’s perspective about campaigning for their spouse or how they influence their spouse's views during their time in office. I'm not sure if you read the whole article or not; the headline is somewhat misleading. Frankly I think this forum is pretty benign. It helps give other women in the American public a relaxed look at the different personalities of spouses of presidential candidates. I think this was an interesting forum that more women should take an interest in, especially since she included spouses from both parties.

Question Eric: I suspect that you don't like Democrats based on reading previous posts on other tickers. Do you think that your dislike of Democrats may have influenced your disapproval of this forum, seeing that Shriver is a former Kennedy? BTW, I'm not mocking you for your beliefs, this is an honest question.

Mike from Cleveland wrote to me:

"I see so you think she isn't allowed to speak her mind? Or she can't give advice because she is a woman? Even President Lincoln and FDR relied on advice from their wives when faced with a dilemma. Whether a paid consultant or not, doesn't matter, she should be allow to speak..."

No, bud, you totally have it wrong. I don't care how much she talks. Hell, she can flap her gums until her jaw fuses open. I really don't care.

What I DO care about, though, is the fact that she was NOT ELECTED, yet she thinks she entitled to flap her gums with the authority of her governor husband, as if she herself was the governor. In the military, we had situations like this, in which civilian spouses would "wear their husbands rank." "Do you know who I am? I am Col So-and-So's wife." Well, la-tee-frikken-dah.

And the fact that she is a woman is irrelevant. Don't try pinning that stupid "sexist" label on me. You're being silly in even trying.

Our old friends, the Clintons, tried to pull this crap in the Nineties... "yuk yuk yuk, har har har... ya git two fer one with the Clintons."

Well, I didn't vote for two, I voted for one... you know, the one on the ballot, the one actually going through the electoral process. The coattail rider (i.e. the one NOT on the ballot) is simply a carpetbagger.

No more of this nonsense whereby spouses (men or women) ride the coattails of his/her politician-spouse.

Again, if you want to become a politician, fine... put your hat in the ring, put your name on the ballot and be willing to travel through the meat grinder with every other politician. But don't try to skirt the process and give us this "two for one" BS.

Seems utterly natural for a spouse to offer advice. Are the spouses of politicians expected to shut up for life upon their husband/wife becoming elected? I should hope not. Most married couples talk about issues that affect them personally. So why not political issues too? After all, it's been done for time immemorial, as anybody living in this century must realize (ie Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt, Bess and Harry Truman, the Johnsons, et cetera). Why does a political spouse have to nip it in the bud and become a lipsticked zombie herding children and pouring tea? Good advice is good advice, wherever it comes from. Ditto bad advice, which can easily come from someone on your payroll (Rumsfeld, anyone?) as from the person you married.

CNN what is your problem? When someone takes the time to comment to your stories, it is nice if the comment is included with the other comments. However, my comments are printed maybe 1 in 4. What give with you anyway? Are you legit or not?

It's real easy.... all she has to do is tell "THE TERMINATOR" that she will not have any fun in the bedroom anymore until he does whatever she says, even if it is policy.

Whether any of you like it or not, many husbands and wives talk...they discuss things that are important to them and use each other as sounding boards. I will bet my last dollar that EVERY Presidents wife has influenced them in some way. Some just choose/chose to keep it private. EVERYONE is influenced by people they love and/or respect. Presidents are only human remember...

Yeah, I would have loved to have seen Judi Giuliani there. Hee hee.

It's probably OK for spouses of local elected officials to discuss subjects like poverty, community development, etc. However, when it comes to national security and classified information, spouses do NOT have a need to know since they have NO OFFICAL capacity. (How many spouses actually have Top Secret + clearances?)

Mrs Rodham is claiming extensive presidential experience just by "observing." Was she present during all of the NSA briefings as "First Lady"? I certainly hope not – no spouse should ever be present.

This smacks of a "I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night." commercial!

This country is ready for a change – but no more Kennedys, Bushs, or Clintons please! Surely there are better qualified candidates in both parties.

Quite a wrong view, Ms. Governatrix, because voters elect officials to exercise the powers of office, not their spouses, who should not be parties to the confidential information of government.

Laura Bush, an influence on Jet-Pilot?!

It would explain a lot!

You go, Stepford Librarian!!!!

All spouses of presidential candidates need to be reminded that we are only electing one president, not two. They should have no role in forming policy in any way.

And Ryan from Ney York:
Cabinent members may not be elected, but at least they are approved by the Senate.

Eric, from THE Republic of Texas

Then she should nippit-nippit in the advice giving department.

I see so you think she isn't allowed to speak her mind? Or she can't give advice because she is a woman? Even President Lincoln and FDR relied on advice from their wives when faced with a dilemma. Whether a paid consultant or not, doesn't matter, she should be allow to speak, it is your choice to listen or not to listen

Oh, I'm sorry, did Maria Shriver run for office? Is she on the governor's payroll as a consultant?

No?

Then she should nippit-nippit in the advice giving department.

I don't care how "independent" she claims to be, when I want Maria Shriver's advice, consent and leadership qualities, I'll ask her to kindly put her name on the ballot and go through the meatgrinder process like every other candidate.

No more "Hillaries" riding their spouses' coattails.

Must get boring watching your crops grow Dave.

I seriously would like to know your definition of leadership? Exactly what aspects of Bills presidency did you find a strong showing of leadership? What leadership has Hilary shown?

I'm a white, moderate male as well. So bring on the info and convince a fellow voter to go your way.

You are a dear, but please don't turn him into a Democrat. Have you listened to the hard-core evil coming from the Senate lately? Democrats are no more, only evil shadow managers left in their places. soras

I think we all try to convey our point about how Maria being a first lady doesn't qualify her to be the governor – and thats true....and yet...the Hillary excuse machine will defend her...at every turn....there are Hillraisers....(who will sleep in the Lincoln bedroom...yep the Clintons did that in the past) and then theres the Hillmorons...the people who defend her in the blogs

I am a white, moderate male that lives in GA (Red State!) and I am VOTING FOR HILLARY.

One reason why is the insight she had to the office when a qualified leader ran it – Bill Clinton.

In addition, she has shown leadership well before seeking the office. Why do you think Republicans are so afraid of her? Such a classy group of white, rich guys.

Go Hillary!

Posted By Dave, Alpharetta, GA : October 23, 2007 1:27 pm

Dave,

Republicans afraid of Hillary??? You're kidding right? Republicans are salivating at the thought of the Dems nominating this woman. She has the highest negatives of ANY candidate running for president in American history!

Republicans are praying the wins the nomination.

Shiver is a Kennedy and as liberal as Hillary. The first mates influence should not be visible outside the bedroom.

First ladies should influence their husbands – great.

What, Maria, is the role of the first, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th woman-on-the-side? Which one qualifies as "first lady"? The one sleeping with the President or Hillary?

I can't stand that Shriver, she looks like a skeleton with bad make-up. I can't stand her husband either with his stupid speech accent.

I would hope that someone would remind Ms. Shriver that the spouses of presidents are NOT elected officials.
Bill , Covington,LA : October 23, 2007 1:40 pm

Neither are cabinet members and they don't just influence policy, they pretty much make it, so what's your point?

Well then Ms. Shriver, you should assume partial responsibility for the utter failure of your husband. He has gone back on his promises to improve LAUSD and he is all for the continuation of illegals coming in to CA and taking advantage of the tax payor public services. All Arnold cares about is changing the constitution so he can run for president. He has done NOTHING to improve the lives of California residents. LAUSD is one of the most poorest performing school districts in the country yet it is in one of the most affluent states in the country. Gangs have all but taken over the San Fernando Valley and the crime rates continue to escalate. Look at whats happening now. There aren't enough Fire Fighters to fight the wild fires burning across the state and why you ask? Because Arnold failed to investigate charges of workplace mistreatment, and violation of civil rights laws. Many have quit. That is what your husband has done for CA.

As I have said before and will continue to say, Hillary has no political experience to be president. In fact, none of the candidates have any political experience to be president. Being president takes judgement, character, conviction, and leadership. Let history be your guide. Look at past presidents from Washington to Bush Jr.

Hillary has exposure to the presidency. Spouses have impact on household decisions. Spouses are not elected officials. I'm sure when Arnold has a policy decision he doesn't run to Maria to ask her what she would do (so to with Bill Clinton). Stop buying into the fact that Hillary is claiming to be in the White House conference (and engaged in robust conversation) room every time a major Bill Clinton policy was discussed during the Clinton Presidency.

I am an black woman, an have been a Democrat all my life. My parents were Democrats, and so were my grandparents. I voted for Bill Clinton in the 90s, as well as Gore and Kerry in 2000 and 2004.

But no more. This time, I'm voting Republican. Hillary Clinton does not represent me, my interest, or the interests of blacks and women. Nor do any of the other Democratic candidates, who are simply capitalizing on a core constituency (African Americans) who they have taken for granted for too long.

Hey Bill, Did you know that the Sec. of State, President's Chief of Staff, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Sec. of Defense, etc. are not elected officials either?

Does America really need another dynasty in the White House? Just because you're the spouse of a President, does that really give you the authority, the knowledge, the steel to be a President yourself? If I'm a brain surgeon, does that give my wife the skills to do surgery or even comment effectively on a brain illness beyond a most trivial way?

Watch this video on youtube, "History Repeating", then tell me that political dynasties in America is what America needs right now.
Does America really need another dynasty in the White House? Just because you're the spouse of a President, does that really give you the authority, the knowledge, the steel to be a President yourself? If I'm a brain surgeon, does that give my wife the skills to do surgery or even comment effectively on a brain illness beyond a most trivial way?

Watch this video on youtube, "History Repeating", then tell me that political dynasties in America is what America needs right now.

Here is the link! It's two minutes of your time!

Does America really need another dynasty in the White House? Just because you're the spouse of a President, does that really give you the authority, the knowledge, the steel to be a President yourself? If I'm a brain surgeon, does that give my wife the skills to do surgery or even comment effectively on a brain illness beyond a most trivial way?

Watch this video on youtube, "History Repeating", then tell me that political dynasties in America is what America needs right now.

I would hope that someone would remind Ms. Shriver that the spouses of presidents are NOT elected officials.

I am a white, moderate male that lives in GA (Red State!) and I am VOTING FOR HILLARY.

One reason why is the insight she had to the office when a qualified leader ran it – Bill Clinton.

In addition, she has shown leadership well before seeking the office. Why do you think Republicans are so afraid of her? Such a classy group of white, rich guys.

Go Hillary!