Does that thing say that Teresa is less popular than Dick Chenney?
If that were a dial in my van I'd be tappin' the glass!

So . . . Laura Bush should be president?

But seriously, folks . . .

I think Teresa Heinz-Kerry is going to suffer from a similar syndrome to Hillary. People have historically not wanted a smart, vocal woman as First Lady. It goes along with the old idea of not wanting a smart, vocal woman for a wife. The First Couple represent the quintessential American couple. They are an encapsulated version of who we think we are. And for all that we think we've progressed, America is still not ready for a woman with a mind and a voice of her own. Most First Ladies have stuck to the traditional role of acting like a dumb housewife. Think of Jackie Kennedy walking through the halls of the White House talking in her breathy voice about the decorating schemes, etc. She was a very smart woman, but she was a housewife and mother. Same with Lady Byrd Johnson. And Pat Nixon, and Rosalyn Carter, and right on down the line. Until we hit Hillary.

Before Hillary, First Ladies always had their little pet projects, whether it was the beautification of America or improving literacy. But Hillary was the first one to be a professional woman in her own right when she came to the White House, and the first one to actually be involved in major policy-making (at least publicly). And much of the public hated her for that. Laura Bush's favorability rating is so high because she returned to the role of dumb wife, raising two dumb daughters. I'm not saying she's dumb; she's smarter than her husband. But she takes a backseat role in everything.

I don't know how involved Teresa will be if Kerry gets in the White House. I'm sure she won't be like Hillary. But she's smart, and she's not afraid to say what she thinks, and for that, I think many people (mostly conservatives) will dislike her.

. . . more . . .

The most interesting thing about this poll, I think, isn't the favorability ratings among each of these people (most importantly Bush and Kerry). Bush and Kerry are nearly tied in favorability, with Bush slightly ahead. But the thing that really stands out is the unfavorability rating between Bush and Kerry. Kerry has some unfavorables with a whole lot of white space in that undecided area. Bush, on the other hand, has a much greater unfavorability rating, with very little white space in between. People either love him or hate him. There's little room for him to pick up more in the favorability column from undecideds. But Kerry can still sway those undecideds into the favorable column for himself. Hope he can do it.

I think it shows how many Americans simply believe it is polite to eat the food you are served.
When they are getting this level of propaganda and Jingoism crammed down their throat from the mainstream media, they are not "hungry enough" to look for the healthy stuff.
Besides, it's always easier to be polite and have servants, than it is to be tired but do it yourself.

You touched alot of themes Earthmother. I have often wondered about the "Golden calf" and the perfect human. We build an image of what is perfect in our mind, and look for its closest match in the real world. I think, because we are visual creatures, we are over dependent on "what things LOOK like." That image in the mind is so focused on its outward appearance that they can only recognize the product if it is in the "right package." (that packaging usually comes with a high price)
I hope you ladies figured out that some men are slow, back in the sexual revolution. Those who have been trying to keep up are pleased to see that there IS a Teresa. I am not well acquianted with her yet, but I watched that speech (several times) and I believe that it was such a work of art that only a professional critic could find it's flaws. Most will simply admire the beauty of the canvas. I repeat, I think that was a great official introduction. She doesn't say, "I'm here too." She says, "I have ARRIVED."

I think we ladies do know that. And we ladies are pleased that so many men are accepting that we have "arrived." But there are still an awful lot of boneheads out there who think a woman should be barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen.

Unfortunately, I think not only professional critics will find fault with her and her speech, though. We've already heard from IGotMail on this site about his dislike for her (see the thread on Heinz-Kerry if you haven't already). He and his ilk will greatly prefer the Stepford Wife image Laura Bush portrays--the perky little young(er) thing who was a librarian and wants to help children become literate (she should start with her own husband, IMO).

Heinz-Kerry will be a different kind of First Lady. At 65, she's relatively old. She's a foreigner. She was a Republican turned Democrat. She's been a widow and is on her second marriage. She's not warm and fuzzy. She's not an airhead. She's a real character. She's a very different kind of First Lady, and I think it'll be a real kick to have her in the White House.

Yes, but professional critics don't often get paid for doing what they spend their life doing.
I think IGOTMAILYAY is something that a character named "Special Ed," says. You know what Forest Gump says about is and does.

In trying to avoid television news, I had not heard Teresa Heinz Kerry speak before last night. I enjoyed hearing her speak and think she will make a wonderful, different kind of first lady. She is like a work of art..one with deeper meaning that you have to keep looking at to figure out but you never really do..you only find something more interesting.