When George W. Bush took office, he and his wife quickly set about reversing what they saw as a glaring wrong committed by the Clintons. They restored a sense of "tradition" to the role of first lady. In other words, Mrs. Bush would steer clear of important policy decisions, and present a genteel, non-threatening presence to the American public. Gone were the much decried days of "two for the price of one," in which the first spouse was suddenly catapulted into a leadership position on front-burner issues such as health-care reform.What so rankled many voters, liberal and conservative alike, was the fact that while the nation took pains to scrutinize the candidates for president, it believed it need not do the same for their wives. Who was being elected, after all?
Well, "two for the price of one" has come a long way in six years, and it's not just Hillary who's singing the idea's praises.
...Rudy Giuliani said that if elected president, he would have no problem allowing his wife Judith Giuliani to sit in on cabinet meetings, "If she wanted to. If they were relevant to something that she was interested in. I mean that would be something that I'd be very, very comfortable with," he said.Update and more, after the jump.So just who is thrice-married Judith G.? The always reliable Wikipedia, paints the following portrait of Rudy's Judy:
-Got married to a medical supplies salesman at Vegas's famous Chapel of the Bells (marriage #1).
-Was re-married to a wallpaper salesman 5 days after her first divorce was finalized.
-Is a Roman Catholic.
-Her specialty is infectious diseases.
-Took up with Giuliani sometime while he was still married to Donna Hannover.
What does it all mean? Who knows. But one wonders how the twofer suggestion will play with those Republicans who so reviled Mrs. Clinton for the active role she played in her husband's administration.
UPDATE: I guess Rudy has reconsidered.
Late Friday, the Giuliani campaign issued a statement in which the former New York City mayor suggested that would not be the case. "Obviously, she [Judy] will not be a Cabinet memeber or attend most Cabinet meetings, if any. But she will pursue a campaign to educate Americans on preventing illness and promoting overall health."
There, there Judy. Take Laura's lead and teach the nation how to floss.
Reader Comments ( Page 11 of 11)
151. I laughed when Judith said she wanted to keep how her and Rudy met, personal and to themselves....and I laughed when Rudy said Judith was not the reason for the breakup of his marriage....Everyone knows how this all works, no matter what you call it. Sometimes you need a few practice runs to get it right.
Karen Lyles at 6:18PM on Apr 2nd 2007
152. As a conservative I have always voted along Republican lines. Not this time - not if Guiliani (and his wife) is/are the candidate/s. Like so many others I've admired what Rudy Guiliani did as mayor of NYC, before, during and following 911. Between the tiara, then learning that she will be attending cabinet meetings, and now this horrid story about the dog - sorry, Rudy. Stay home and enjoy your marriage - although it may be an example of "be careful what you wish for...."
Cynarae at 1:59PM on Apr 4th 2007
153. MOST FOLKS OUTSIDE OF NEW YORK ARE NOT AWARE OF HOW LITTLE INTEGRITY RUDY AND HIS WIFE HAVE. JUST ASK THE NEW YORK CITY FIREFIGHTERS. THEY KNOW HE IS NO HERO AS DEPICTED BY THE MEDIA. HE ALSO FORCED HIS THEN WIFE DONNA TO MOVE OUT OF THE GOVERNERS MANSION AND MOVED HIS MISTRESS IN. THERE IS SOMETHING TO BEWARE OF WHEN A MAN'S OWN CHILDREN HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH HIM. THOSE OF YOU REPUBLICANS WHO TRASHED BILL CLINTON NEED TO KEEP THIS IN MIND.
B MATHEWS at 4:48PM on Apr 3rd 2007
154. Why is Rudy making his own liabilities a bigger issue? Check it
out on darydayshow.com
dary day at 5:06PM on Apr 3rd 2007
155. rudy shot himself in the foot when he said he would like to have her sit in on cabinet meetings. why? as for all he did during 911, he was supposed to do that he was the mayor of the city
flower at 11:51PM on Apr 3rd 2007
156. Guilliani's wife to sit in on cabinet meetings??
For one thing, IF he ever got elected, he needs to understand that SHE wasn't elected, and should not be in on the cabinet meetings. Another issue he needs to address. Many cabinet meetings deal with issues of national security. These meetings will have security classifications, Secret, Top Secret, Compartmented, ( even higher than Top Secret )
Anyone that has access to classified government material has to meet 2 criteria: A, they have to have the security clearance for that level of security.
And B, they have a "NEED TO KNOW" basis.
Just because you have a SECRET security clearance does not grant you the right to access all SECRET government documents. That is why there is the NEED TO KNOW clause concerning access to documents.
Mr. Guilliani needs to realize that if he were to allow his wife into these meetings dealing with classified information, that he would be violating federal law!
Imagine if the military tried to court martial a soldier for telling his wife classified information, and the soldier simply got a court order for the White House to list all cabinet meetings in which Mrs. Guilliani was allowed access to classified information discussed in these cabinet meetings! Tell me...Who in thier right mind really believes that she falls under the law of having the "NEED TO KNOW"? mr. Guilliani, you need to rethink this ?
Ron at 10:32PM on Apr 4th 2007
157. I don't know why in the world anyone would vote for Rudy the Roamer, for President. He just happened to be Mayor of New York when 9-ll happened. Does this qualify him for President. I think not. He has the Morals of an alley cat to move his MISTRESS in the house with his wife. We don't need trash like this in the White House, representing The American People.
Kathy at 10:05PM on Jun 26th 2007