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 4 of 11)
46. To Republicans strength in terrorism is their major consideration for the office of the President of our beloved nation, therefore they can seek Lucifer to be in charge, because of his strength in organizing a rebellion against God. The group that once taunted values are now settling for standard they once opposed. That is the changing face of fear, no wonder it is said that is fear is tormentor. Please understand that I did not say that Guillani is Lucifer, but I am just drawing an anology. Poor Republicans they should be ready for another defeat at the presidential election, come November, 2008. The weaker their nomination is the easier Democrats can defeat their choice. Good luck Republicans.
Kennedy Mokwunye at 9:39AM on Mar 30th 2007
47. Bill was a Ho.
Bush is a dictator.
NYorkers are still walking on the victims of 911.
Rudy was married while he drug his HO into representing him during 911. He was trying to move her into the Gov mansion. They both cheated on every person they were married to.
They both have no character, integrety, no sense of honesty, decency, loyalty, family values.
Haven't we had enough of that?
I'm not asking for a Saint, but can we skip the male and female HOs for the WhiteHouse.
Linda at 9:40AM on Mar 30th 2007
48. IF MY PRESIDENT CANNOT EVEN SACRIFY HIMSELF FOR HIS CHILDREN, I HAVE NOTHING TO EXPECT FROM HIM...., WHEN COUPLE HAVING PROBLEMS , THE CANCELOR ALWAYS TELLING THEM THAT BECAUSE OF CHILDREN, YOU NEED TO TRY TO WORK TOGETHER...AND YOU TELLING ME THIS MAN WILL BE MY PRESIDENT?...SORRY..WHERE THESES CHURCH LEADERS WHO ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT MORALITY IN THE WHITE HOUSE.....NO NO NO AND NO..
Alex at 9:50AM on Mar 30th 2007
49. WOW, If it wasn't for 9/11 Giuliani would be a nobaody again. Of course he is riding the shirt tail of the disaster. He may have outwordly acted with good intentions but if you look back in history before 9/11 happened he was on a downfall. Go on, check the NY Times one month to even six months before. First responders never got what they needed because WE, as a people, never thought it would happen to us. As for his wife, well it is a package deal, however unless she is elected or "hired" then she has no business at the cabinet meetings.... wait maybe as a American citizen she does...that means we do too....maybe we should go and sit in on a few of the meetings would that be fun....or would we even be able to get past the front door?
Michael at 9:52AM on Mar 30th 2007
50. Rudy and Rove and Judith, oh my god. America, how far have we've fallen. Rudy, an adulterous egotistic, mean, donky. You non New Yorkers don't know the half of it. Can't beleive you would elect this angry nasty man just because he did one good deed. He was crap in New York until those towers fell. Oh my god ... he'll surely start a world war .. him and his devilish wife who destroyed the sanctity of anothers marriage. Rove and these moral misfits will destroy this country.
jkappa9 at 10:07AM on Mar 30th 2007
51. it's hard to decifer how you really feel amongst all of the emotional feedback of those who have already responded. here's what i believe to be factual.
most american adults have done something to offend GOD and our fellow man. most american adults have done something, that if made public, we could go to prison and hell for. so, i don't think that the one that sits at home, to cowardly to run for office, go to law school, or put your name on a ballot has any right to hold public officials to a higher personal standard than you hold yourself. has rudy and bill done some things that were not morally right, absolutely. have i? absolutely! have you? I'd bet money you have. furthermore, i'd bet the same for everyone else in Washington. why? because we're human. living in d.c. doesn't change that fact. we get so caught up in this perfect 'whitehouse' image, that's what got us into the stink we're in with bush. yes, i'm a registered republican, but our president is incompentent, period! i mean that literally. he does not possess the ability to run this county.
so, lose your emotions, America, stick to the facts, and vote based on the political and leadership abilities of the candidate, not necessarily their personal life!
john at 10:09AM on Mar 30th 2007
52. Why Rudy will win the nomination. Well, the Republicans never really cared about abortion, adultery, gay marriage, creationism, or gun rights. All of those things were just wedges that they used to defeat Democrats and pander to the idiot right wing base. Their only actual "value" is power and money, and since Rudy can keep it for them, he will be the nominee.
jkappa9 at 10:11AM on Mar 30th 2007
53. Even in a weak field of candidates, eventually Rudy will be discarded. When his record is exposed, he will fade to the back of the pack. My advise is thqat he should start planning his support role in the campaign.
Jerry at 10:16AM on Mar 30th 2007
54. Two for the price of one? Remember the Reagans? We need to bring respect and integrity back to the White House. No more lies and tax cuts for the rich. Better immigration laws. Better and cheaper health insurance. I still don't understand the fight against terrorism and opening our borders. Just doesn't make sense and crime rates are higher.
fadedrose at 10:21AM on Mar 30th 2007
55. Who cares if they have both been married three times, so they are both ho's who cheated while still married, who cares if the scumbag idiot republicans impeached Bill Clinton for the same reasons. A fucking monkey could do a better job than the current idiot in office. Why don't you fucking dumb asses keep watching fox news and Dukes of Hazard re-runs and let people who can actually read decide who the next leader of our country will be.
Bob at 10:24AM on Mar 30th 2007
56. We are electing a President, not a first lady. Whether Guilliani's wife married three times or slept around is of little import. Shy he chose her is more to the point.
J Fiedoral at 10:43AM on Mar 30th 2007
57. You actually wrote 'always reliable Wikipedia'???
Are you insane, writer? Any fool can add text to that site true or BS Amazing liberal drool once again. You and yours are concerned that another GOP member will become President We know this Agendas are glowing Idiots All of you!
Joe Morris at 10:49AM on Mar 30th 2007
58. Joe,
Thanks for commenting, but lighten up. I was being sarcastic.
david knowles at 10:51AM on Mar 30th 2007
59. If any of you lived in NY during giulianni's rein of terror. Shoot first ask questions later you know better than to put him in the White House!
William at 11:13AM on Mar 30th 2007
60. Rudy and Judieth as president does have a ring to it. When you get older and have the previlege to have had several wives,you will learn more about life then those without this experience. It is the learning experiences of some that have fallen that made them more open and knowledgeable of how to be. Morality or character may be questioned, but it is known that it is the strong that lead this world amid all the immorality of it. When incidences in your life places you in the position of being a possible future president then it is the experiences of life that more enables you to think. It seems most of us dont think or perform our best until we reach the pinnacle of life where ultimate responsibilies begin. Each president had their own path to the presidency and each had their successes and failures. This is like diamond mining, just dig thru possible piles of stone until you find one that shines as it was the pressures, heat over time that created the diamond.
Don Williams at 11:13AM on Mar 30th 2007