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 6 of 11)
76. This country needs a president thoroughly knowledged and focused on domestic and international policies, issues, etc. The president needs to be an individual of high moral and ethical standing, who has integrity and courage to do what is best and right.The people by the presidents side are very relevant, and have a potentially strong impact on decisions made. Actions speak louder than words. I say 'no' to Guiliani.
Jenny at 1:55PM on Mar 30th 2007
77. What has America come to when they even consider having a man and woman married three times, the woman lets the child go live with her father because she is too busy with her new life and both of them are social climbers. Whatever happened to family values and someone in the white house that represents what America really is. What average family has been married multiple times and what average family's children don't even speak to their parents. Before these people can even consider running for office, they better put their houses in order. I am not of any political affiliation or a extremely religious person but I do know that I don't want someone like Judy Guiliani representing me as as first lady. I don't know how the Catholic church can stand by these people when they have been married three times but for the average person if you are divorced or gay, you are considered excommunicated. Funny how the church has a double standard.
Ronmedo at 1:36PM on Mar 30th 2007
78. I am 100% agreeing with Eva's comment. Therefore, I copy her comment and, please read it again:
7. If Judith is a Roman Catholic, I'd like to know
how she has managed to have two divorces and a
third marriage and still call herself a Roman Catholic. She's a homewrecker. And Rudy is a man
who betrayed his wife and abandoned his children.
If these people are being touted as pro-family,
then they're part of an arrogant Republican Party
who think that the people of the U.S. are so
dumb that they will believe anything.
But they will keep repeating the word "character"
to describe Rudy until the American public is
sufficiently mesmerized that they believe it.
Catherine at 11:47PM on Mar 30th 2007
79. Firefighter Mad.
They are upset with, then Mayer, because he put a stop to the overtime the so called brothers were getting for just hanging around. Union dues??
paulus2 at 1:47PM on Mar 30th 2007
80. Rudy cheated on his first wife, so you think he wouldn't lie to the american citizens? And many didn't like him as mayor before 9/11. 9/11 reinvented him as a supposed hero. Plus, who wants a back door ho as 1st lady? She could never compare to Hillary or Laura.
Kelly at 1:54PM on Mar 30th 2007
81. i think competence is very important, and courage too.
The real question is : what needs America? the answer is a competent and courageous President.
Guiliani has those qualities
private life is only personal
france paramelle at 1:50PM on Mar 30th 2007
82. Anita,are you saying it is all right for A man to cheat on his wife if he is not in public office?
Louise at 2:06PM on Mar 30th 2007
83. Caring for children matters most.
Hence how can an uncaring candidate adjust to NATION caring which is urgently needed now and hereafter.
c.andrew Ross at 2:09PM on Mar 30th 2007
84. forgot password
flora goldman at 2:44PM on Mar 30th 2007
85. To get a real feel for the myth we now recognize as "Rudy Giuliani" read "America's Mayor" or some of the other studies on his mayoralty and the events before and after 9/11. 9/11 saved giuliani's reputation. He trashed his first 4 years of NYC mayor by his performance in his second 4 years. Bin Laden bailed him out and he was quick to capitalize on his good fortune as the twin towers came down. He owes Bin Laden a royalty check for making him many millions a year speaking about his "leadership". Ask the wives of the firemen needlessly lost in the tower's collapse because their radios could not receive the police frequencies that tried to warn them of the buildings imminent collapse as seen from their helicopters. True to Giuliani's governing style dissenting or questioning voices have been squelched. Cut through the Rudy's smoke screen and no self respecting conservative will support him. His talents are now used solely for his own aggrandizment. The higher purpose of serving a great country are not on his radar. I hope the country doesn't go for hype.
cruncher at 2:33PM on Mar 30th 2007
86. We certainly have come a long way down when someone like Rudy, who so publicly relished and persued skirt-chasing as sport; a sport not at all appreciated by his wife and children, should even be CONSIDERED as a candidate for the presidency of our nation. Until September 2001, Rudy was well on the way down for, among other things, first dating adulterously, then while in public office, living in "public housing" and in full view of the public, he then tried to throw his wife and children out to make way for the new skirt he so sportingly had caught...... Is some magic power being attributed then, to "9/11", that it should totally transform any who, at the time, happened to maintain a position in front of the continuously running cameras? Must have been a specialized magic, drawn by active cameras as iron filings to magnets, channeled streaming through the focus of the lens... ????? Is this what they mean by, "camera magic"?
Are you mesmerized enough that any who "attach themselves" to "9/11" must be protected by taboo?
I do believe it should better be a clear point of discernment that any who USE, or have USED "9/11" are counting on YOU to be mesmerized by it. Don't be caught up by the hypnotic taboo trance state feature that has been made of "9/11".
(-:G
G Achin at 2:53PM on Mar 30th 2007
87. When will people in this country start looking at the value of an elected official for what they bring to their office rather than what they might do or have done in or outside a bedroom. Morality is determined by the societal rules and changes with the society. I would much rather have the years of prosperity and developement that Bill & Hillary Clintons administration brought no matter what pleasures he might have enjoyed outside his marriage than the horrible years we have had under the current administration - even if George and Laura "appear" to be "moral" by some standards. I am sure all of the dead soldiers and dead Iragis along with the poor who have become poorer might want to agree.
pattijot2 at 2:44PM on Mar 30th 2007
88. i hope rudy wins in 08, we need someone strong that wont let the rest of the world beleive that we are weak like the dems do!!!!
mike at 2:57PM on Mar 30th 2007
89. One should focus on those who know Rudy and his 3rd wife better than anyone....his children. They will not support their Father for his past actions, Why should other Americans?
The Republicans have an American Hero....John McCain.
Jake
Jake Ussery at 2:50PM on Mar 30th 2007
90. Whenever I see Giuliani's face I am reminded of Amadou Diallo( and others. He reeks injustics.
Sepia at 2:52PM on Mar 30th 2007