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Sunday, April 1, 2007
Two-fer candidates? No thanks.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One marriage “partnership” I’ll never get accustomed to is that the spouse of an elected official should have any decision-making policy role whatsoever. Rudy Giuliani, a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, found it necessary to clarify comments suggesting that his wife would play a significant role in his administration.
In an interview Thursday with Barbara Walters, Giuliani said he would be receptive to having his wife, Judith Nathan Giuliani, attend Cabinet meetings on issues in which she had an interest. “If she wanted to” and “if they were relevant to something she’s interested in,” said Giuliani, “I mean that would be something that I’d be very, very comfortable with.” The comment produced a flood of HillaryCare two-fer President memories. Not good. He later clarified his remarks.
“Obviously, she will not be a Cabinet member or attend most Cabinet meetings — if any. But she will pursue a campaign to educate Americans on preventing illness and promoting overall health.” His wife was a nurse.
In general, it was not a good week for Giuliani, whose support in a USA Today- Gallup Poll taken March 23-25 revealed a drop of 13 percentage points among Republicans and Independents to 31 percent from a March 2-4 poll. Of course the news for Gov. Mitt Romney was worse, as he dropped from 8 to 3. The gainer was former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson (R-Tenn), who registered at 12 percent. This is the first time he was included.
Giuliani certainly appeals. His leadership after 9/11 and his ability to manage New York City spenders make him a candidate to be taken seriously. The six marriages — three for him, three for his wife — are a problem, since one of the issues the next President needs to confront is the unacceptably high rate rate of births to unmarrieds and the decline of traditional two-parent families.
As for the wife in the Cabinet meetings, we do live in an era of two-career households. And since intelligent people are inclined to marry intelligent people, the temptation to elect a two-fer is always there. But the spouse is a position where his or her influence over policy matters cannot be precisely gauged or effectively challenged. I didn’t want a two-fer with Hillary, don’t want it with Bill and don’t want it with Judith. One on the ballot. One in the office.
