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 8 of 11)
106. Giuliani the first Mayor of NYC to put an iron fence around City Hall. How would he fortify the White House?
William at 4:17PM on Mar 30th 2007
107. R. Giuliani the family man. What a joke leaves his first 2 wives & kids then marries a person who knowingly has an affair with a married man & won't say how & when they met & they claim to be religious people. He got more credit then he deserved during the trgidy of 911. A man who marries his second cousin sounds like a little bit inbred to me. H. Clinton is pushing big time for the office of president. Well what do you think of a person who knows her husband is having sex with someone & seems to put it on the side like nothing happened? I feel anyone running for office should have some integrity & they are opening the door for all questions about themselves & their family.
To me its a waste of time to even consider either of them & if their party backs them the party leaves a lot to be desired. Lets get some new blood in office this country would be better off voting for the candidate rather then the party the parties are a bunch of B.S. people who should back up when they get their pay checks.Ask any of them how many hours they spend debating issues for this country. We're the best country on earth so lets at least put a decent person in office not their spouse & hopefully we'll be respected more by other countries. Have all them politicians send their family members to fight on other soil. That won't happen it's only for the people who don't have political clout like our main man who's daddy got him out of going to war. I believe that if we go to war do what we have to & get the job done & over with ASAP.
Cliff at 4:21PM on Mar 30th 2007
108. I live in New York City when Giuliani was mayor his approval rating was in the 30's before 911 he divided the city by racial profiling his top cop who he pick to run the force is about to go to prison. The New York Fire department has no respect for him, he told his wife he wanted a divorce on New York City TV, All Giuliani did during 911 was go on tv and told the people say Calm, and now he says his Wife can be in on policy making decisions. Sounds like she has him whip, Rudy stop running on 911 your a joke
Jose at 7:48AM on Apr 12th 2007
109. speaking of good roman catholic, I hope you are not including the "Honerable" Sentor from Mass.
Frieda at 5:01PM on Mar 30th 2007
110. Rudy and Judy truly represent GOP family values. Each said they were impressed with the other's "integrity" as they committed adultery and made a mockery of their marriages. Way to go!
Of course Newt fits in this group well too ... and even McCaine. Wonder how the gay/cheating minister, Haggert's preaching is going? And Mark Folley seems to have curtailed his emailing, or has he? In a country of 300+ million can't we do better than these liars and cheats?
Bea at 5:04PM on Mar 30th 2007
111. I TRULY PRAY"GOLD HELP THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHO TAKE TIME TO VOTE, THIS COUNTRY IS ON A STRAIGHT DOWNWARD ROLL TO GREATER DISASTER AND WE WILL BE FOREVER LOST WITHOUT YOUR GUIDANCE"
BETTY at 5:50PM on Mar 30th 2007
112. I believe we are living in a time that we have to look beyond democratic parties. I could care less if Rudy's wife slept with all the members of congress if I knew he was the man to lower my health insurance costs. I could care less if Hilary's husband had a different intern everyday of the week if the cost of fuel was to go under two dollars a gallon. I could care less if Edwards stayed in the race as opposed to staying by his wife's bedside if he could reduced the current dropout rate in this country. One-third of our nation's populace has less than a high school diploma. I could care less about the color of Obama's parents if he could make this a safer nation, free from terroism as well as community violence. I could go on and on, but we have so many critical problems threatening the future of this country like the tremendous cost we are paying in lives and money to fight in Iraq. With everything going on in this nation, I can not understand placing a vote based on the number of times a person has been married; or the personal lives of their spouses. I will measure each candidate based on their ability to make this country safer, stronger and educationally and economically greater than ever. May the best person win!
Carlette at 6:23PM on Mar 30th 2007
113. Commentator "Lillian" sounds as rough as a bordello madam, but the point is well taken.
And if Rudy had the nerve to invite Ms. Nathan to his previous marriage, it's no surprise he would plan on inviting her to Cabinet meetings.
Diane T. at 6:32PM on Mar 30th 2007
114. First of all, before 911, New Yorkers HATED Rudy! He was the most hated mayor in the history of New York! He is arrogant, and he never listened to the people of NY, and he will do the same for the country if elected.
Darlene at 6:45PM on Mar 30th 2007
115. sHE IS NO rOMAN cATHOLIC AND i WISH PEOPLE LIKE HER WOULD QUIT CALLING THEMSELVES cATHOLIC BECAUSE SHE ISN'T ONE - SHE MAY HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED A CATHOLIC BUT HER LIFE STYLE IS NOT CATHOLIC - SHE WOULDN'T BE HAVING THREE MARRIAGES IF SHE PRACTICED HER RELIGION. I think she may be a problem wife if he is elected President - we don't need or want another Hiliary - One was enough for eternity -
Meeche at 9:08PM on Mar 30th 2007
116. Leave the man and his family out of his presidential campaign. They are human, just like everyone else. No one would think anything about their pasts' if they weren't in politics. They will make the same mistakes we all make everyday...they are allowed to "Not Be Perfect" !!
As long as it doesn't intefere with his dealings, why should we question his capabilities. Clinton was a much better president than Bush is. He was just Human too. Again......Leave them alone...privately, If you feel the need to HAVE to question someone....question yourself instead.
A Concerned Citizen in Indiana.
Michelle Roberts at 9:36PM on Mar 30th 2007
117. Most couples in love relish at the memory of thier first meeting, why do they want to keep it private. This "woman" and ashamed to even call her that, is a homewrecker, hated by her stepkids. I hear that he is rude, and talks down to people in his staff. He's only nice when there is a photo op or there is something in it for him. I didn't hear good things about him, from a person who almost had daily contact this cheater and creep. That woman even said he had integrity, yeah, with even one but his two former wives. They both are NASTY.
Susie at 2:05AM on Mar 31st 2007
118. GIULIANI WAS PART OF THE TWIN TOWERS COLLAPSING!!!!
THOSE STRUCTURES WERE DEMO'ED BY THE POWERS THAT BE
TO HIDE EVIDENCE!!! THEY KILLED THE FIREFIGHTERS!!!
NOT BEN LODEN!!! ROSSIE IS CORRECT AS MANY OTHERS
THAT 9/11 WAS KNOWN TO ABOUT TO HAPPEN AND DID AS
THE v.p. DICK AND COMPANY OF HOODS IMPELMENTED!!!
GIULIANI WAS PROMISSED A "PRES. BID" TO SHUT UP!!!!
silvia at 9:29AM on Mar 31st 2007
119. bill richardson for president!
sprchrgrguy at 4:10PM on Mar 31st 2007
120. Oh dear, I guess we will wound up with in the same old crap again.
We need new blood. Young blood to get us out of this insane rut America has been in form the last several decades. There are too many Americans that are too irresponsible with capitalism. Don't get me wrong here. I love capitalism but it must be run with a great sense of responsibility. We need to make our labors valuable again instead of trying to squeeze out every "dime" we can from little effort. Effort must count again and the value of that effort must be the driving force behind success. This goes for the hamburger flipper as well as the nurse and doctors.
We need to think about tomorrow instead of fighting our grand parents problems. We need to value our freedoms and legislate to protect them, not sell them for a little security at the expense of our liberties and personal space. We need to think as part of the global neighborhood instead of the bully of the block. And we must value our spirit first not our pocket books.
Millions were killed by the spread of aids during the 1970-80's because of a mind set that controlled public policy. During the 70's and 80's we had a chance to curb the spread of aids with needle exchange programs and educating the public about aids. However because of homophobia stemming from some Christian belief system people in political power did not promote needle exchanges and spread some hateful dogma about homosexuality being so evil. The lack of needle exchanges and homophobia spread this dreaded disease called aids around the world killing millions. All because of some ambiguous belief system. Millions were killed by "pleasing God" at the expense of human needs. That was really smart. People in political and religious powers had an opportunity to stop this dreaded disease that now threatens everyone. This here give God a bad name. Those responsible need to apologize and make amends to mankind. Let's not forget to beg for forgiveness for making such a horrible decision that killed millions and left loved ones alone and in grief.
Stem cells. Do you really think God is happier to keep people in their wheel chairs? Christians and conservatives always make decisions about God at the expense of human needs and freedoms. This really gives God a bad name. Again Christians need to repair the damage done to God's name from the years of political and religious incompetence and abuse. The drug war too is way over intense causing far more problems than the drugs themselves.
Why not stop this war on our on people, the drug war (narcophobe war machine) and use that money caring for our soldiers. "Harm reduction" is a far more saner and far more cheaper approach.
(Type in drug war clock in your browser)
Wm Bailey Scott at 12:34PM on Apr 1st 2007