George W. Bush and:

The First Lady: While there is no set role for the First Lady, often understood or implied roles exist for what these women should or should not do. Traditional roles include hostess, being supportive of the president (as a wife), accompanying the president abroad, and recently their own projects, which are generally domestic issues. Hillary Rodham Clinton has sparked new debate about what the role of the First Lady should be, and the two styles of Bush and Heinz Kerry differ on this position.

Description of candidate's position: Laura Bush has a large interest in education, and working the last four years to increase education. These include: supporting President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act with the national initiative of Ready to Read, Ready to Learn; working with Teach for America and The New Teacher Project; and hosting the salute to American authors. Bush has also worked on education campaigns for breast cancer and heart disease, and is an advocate for women's rights worldwide (First Lady website. Because of the opportunities as the First Lady, she does not have another job, but instead uses her role to direct attention to the issues she cares about. Bush Campaign website

Quotation: Laura Bush is aware of the gender stereotyping that occurs within the role of the First Lady, but feels that she can use her role to make a difference in the world: "As prominent women in business, law, the media, public life, I imagine that all of us have been subjected to a few stereotypes. I was reminded of that recently when I received some letters from a group of kindergarten students […] Of course, what I really get to do is take part in great events like this, and meet remarkable Americans who are shaping our world. President Bush and I appreciate all that each one of you do to make a difference in your community and in our country." One policy initiative that she is especially proud of is the work on women's rights as human rights: "Today, we are called to be more than women leaders -- but also leaders of women. We have an obligation to help our sisters who face prejudice and injustice. We know that no society can prosper when half of its population is not allowed to contribute to its progress […] I'm proud to be part of the President's efforts to make women's rights a global policy imperative. Our work to help the women of Afghanistan and Iraq is part of a broader effort to support women across the Middle East, from girls' literacy programs in Yemen to legal workshops in Bahrain." Remarks to the 2004 Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit, October 6, 2004

Assessment:

Positive: Nancy Salvato, journalist for The Rant (a conservative leaning magazine), supports Bush in her role as First Lady: "Laura Bush, in her role as First Lady, has championed the cause of literacy. She understands how important education is to the vitality of our country. She cares about the future of the United States and wants to ensure that we continue to be the leaders of the free world. […] The position of First Lady is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. Being the wife of a President takes a woman who is supportive, reflective, and knows when it is appropriate to voice her ideas and when it is not. We are the strongest country in the world. Many leaders look to our nation for support and guidance. The First Lady must believe in her own husband's ability to hold that office and project that confidence for the world to see. Laura Bush is one such woman." The Rant, September 2, 2004

Negative: Arianna Huffington, writer for Awaken Woman E-Magazine (a feminist online magazine), has criticized the First Lady for her conventional norms: "Laura Bush […] has chosen to take on the image of the perfect 1950s sitcom housewife. She's the Harriet Nelson of first ladies, the quintessential deferential spouse, praised by her husband for not "trying to butt in and always, you know, compete" and lauded by the media for her ability "to balance strength and subservience." I guess I missed the moment where subservience became a virtue." Awakened Woman, July 22, 2004

Comparison: While Teresa Heinz Kerry could potentially redefine the role of the First Lady, this could be potentially problematic. This is not an elected position, and thus, there is less or little external accountability. Laura Bush does fit much more of the traditional role of a First Lady, but she has proven herself to be an asset to the presidency in her own way, while not challenging his own agenda or policies.

Link to Kerry's First Ladies page.

Please note: If this topic interests you, PBS will be airing a special on this topic, entitled "The First Lady: Public Expectations, Private Lives," Monday October 25, 9 p.m. central time on Iowa's Public Television Channel (LPTV). (For other states, please check your local listing by entering your zipcode in the link below.) Margaret Warner will be doing in-depth interviews with First Lady Laura Bush and Teresa Heinz Kerry, as well as former First Ladies. Link