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 3 of 11)
31. "The always reliable Wikipedia" I was so shocked by this statement that I ended up disregarding everything else that you said. Wikipedia lets anyone create and edit entries and their self-policing process do not keep up with the massive number of new articles that crop up on the site. While I agree that there are some good articles on there, you have to make sure you double check all your facts from there.
Michele at 8:48AM on Mar 30th 2007
32. FRANKLY I DON'T KNOW WHAT ALL THE FUSS IS ABOUT. PERSONALLY I HAVE BEEN MARRIED 3 TIMES EVEN MARRIED ONE OF THEM TWICE . DOES THAT MAKE ME LESS OF A PERSON BECAUSE I LET MY HEART MAKE DECESIONS. BUT RUDY HAD ONE GOOD DAY AS MAYOR OF NEW YORK THAT LASTED THROUGH THE CRISIS OF 9/11. HE MANAGED NOT TO FALL APART AND WAS PRETTY CALM. SOME SAY HE IS TO LIBERAL TO BE REPUBLICAN I GUESS BECAUSE OF THE THREE MARRIAGES. WE ARE ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN ..... IN ORDER TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED IN A MARRIAGE...... WELL YOU HAVE TO BE ONE OF THE PEOPLE IN THE MARRIAGE.WHAT LOOKS GOOD MAY NOT AND WHAT LOOKS BAD ON ONE OR THE OTHER WELL WE WILL NEVER KNOW. SURE SOME ARE DIRTY ROTTEN HOUND DOGS THATS THE ONE I MARRIED TWICE AND I GOT A BAD REPUTATION HE GOT THE FRIENDS. BUT LATER THEY FOUND OUT WHO THE REAL LOSER WAS AND IT WAS NOT ME!
LIZBETH ANDREWS at 2:45AM on Mar 30th 2007
33. Quite frankly,
The woman looks like she could suck the chrome off trailer hitch...
Forget about his ditzy wife, Rudys lisp is his worst enemy... The Repos are toast in 2008..
Maybe Rudy can explain the planned demolition of world trade No. 7?? or not?? The fireman won't talk to him, why should the media...
His wife is not HIS problem...HE IS !!!
Manfred at 3:57AM on Mar 30th 2007
34. Rudy is typical de-balled male
deedee at 5:38AM on Mar 30th 2007
35. HEY LISTEN UP ALL YOU EVANGELICAL CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS...........................
[ SHE WAS A PART OF THE FORNICATION PROCESS HERE ]
ALL OF YOU LOOK THE OTHER WAY''''' YOU HIPOCRICS..
ALL OF YOU...................
YOU REPUBLICANS ...YOUR MORALS , YOUR FAMILY VALUES
YOU THREW STONES ...YOU ARE THE ONES THAT NEED SLAPPED IN THE FACE..........
YOU THINK YOUR THE PURITIANS........WELL YOUR
NOT............
THERES A WHOLE LOTTA SCANK IN YOU.........
YOUR PROFESSIONAL CLOSET PEOPLE
peter p panella jr at 6:05AM on Mar 30th 2007
36. 4th marriage, damn straight it will hurt his chances.
Let's get the Clinton's back in the Oval Office, we need to straighten this country out again. I remember when Bill was Prsident, there were ZERO problems, now, there is a laaundry list of problems......why? Simply, GWB.....
Ned at 6:07AM on Mar 30th 2007
37. The Republican Party is supposedly the morality party in the United States. Between them, Giuliani and his current wife, have been married six times. That surely will disqualify them in the eyes of anybody who believes in the sanctity of marriage.
In the Giuliani household we know who wears the dress. The question is, who wears the pants?
Richard Bower at 6:55AM on Mar 31st 2007
38. If you've been living in New York long enough, you know that this is the perfect match made in "Sleazy Land". Hopefully, people who feel that Giuliani is the best candidate in 2008, will realize that there are wrong. For a very level headed point of view they can take a look at Wayne Barrett's books.
Foofee at 9:25AM on Mar 30th 2007
39. Opportunistic Rudeee & Jud y....
Giuliani is no great leader. Many have said that 9/11 is the best thing that every happened for him. 9/10 he was in trouble. How she or he claim to be RCC in unfathomable??? Is it not obvious that these two are in fact hypocrites of the first order.
It was easy for Mr. G to jump in front of the camera's on 9/11 and giving the appearance of handling what? First respondents, those whose sacrifice will never be forgotten, were already doing their jobs. With lousy, outdated communication equipment. What was Giuliani's role? To speak with the Feds who took over coordination of all activities within hours of the WTC strikes....
He would be a huge mistake if nominated as the best candidate Republicans can put forward.
Steve at 8:51AM on Mar 30th 2007
40. She's a "Roman Catholic" with her marriage background? HUH???
Lyle hamilton at 8:27AM on Mar 30th 2007
41. To Michele,
Thank you for taking the time to comment. Rest assured, I meant that line sarcastically, and am well aware of the content ureliability at Wikipedia. Indeed, one must take their information with a grain of salt.
david knowles at 8:53AM on Mar 30th 2007
42. Why is Rudy is making his own liabilities a bigger issue? Check it out on darydayshow.com
dary day at 8:54AM on Mar 30th 2007
43. We're not electing a Pope. We're electing a President. I remember Rudy after 9/11 and I thought he did a great job. While I respect the Firefighters, let's not forget that they are a Union who are always griping about something.
Denis Heurtevant at 9:17AM on Mar 30th 2007
44. Giuliani is the best hope the Republicans have to reinvent a stale and unpopular social party. He's the best chance they have at winning, because he's a social moderate and a fiscal conservative. I personally believe that if anyone else gets the nom, any resemblance to the current GOP is finished forever. It's time for a new republican party and this guy is your answer. God help us if the religious right gets some sort of Pat Robertson nutjob nominated... if so, say hello to a Dem controlled congress and presidency for a looooooooooong time.
Sam at 9:21AM on Mar 30th 2007
45. Still using the deaths of brave people to bolster his campaign ,he does have chutzpah! He also told the firemen that the air was clean? By the way this guy who loves to talk about his leadership during 9/11 like Bush who just happened to have a megaphone handy loves to talk about how he cleaned up the city of criminals. When will anyone ask where they went? They are all here in upstate NY where we now have meth labs and Crips ,Bloods,and murders Thanks loads Rudy and you and your cousin have a nice marriage , After the 3rd time for each of you ,it had better work this time! What is it with all these Republicans and all of their marriages!? Is Bill all that bad for playing around but staying with his wife or is it better to get married 3 times to try to get it right while making millions off the deaths of 9/11 victims!?
Danny Shuman at 9:25AM on Mar 30th 2007