Evolving Role of Presidential Spouses Explored in New Book
When it comes to presidential politics, there’s one constant through the years that hasn’t changed much: It doesn’t matter who wins the election, the public typically is fascinated with the new president’s spouse.
While curiosity about who they are, how they may act or what issues they may pursue in that position remains high, political scientist Dr. Lauren Wright said her research has revealed that what has changed in the past 25 years is how campaigns and administrations have increasingly deployed the spouse to make them as advantageous as possible to the candidate or president.
Wright has written a new book, “On Behalf of the President: Presidential Spouses and White House Communications Strategy Today,” that looks at how the influence of social media, 24/7 news cycles and the evolving role and expectations of women in American society has changed the role of First Lady.
“They have been employed more and more strategically, more often and it really has been because the administrations have really picked up on the notion that they are special surrogates,” Wright said. “They have tools in the toolkit that presidents don’t have, other staff members don’t have because they are held to a different set of rules and they have a lot more influence in their communications.”
Wright will speak at the Chappaqua Public Library on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. about her book and what she has uncovered by exploring how the past three administrations have used Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama. Being able to track public appearances, television appearances and social media chatter has highlighted how scientific the practice of sending the First Lady out to the public has become.
For example, after Bill Clinton’s administration’s attempt at health care reform failed, which was spearheaded by Hillary Clinton, her appearances dwindled.
As time progressed, Laura Bush had many more public appearances than Clinton, and Michelle Obama even more than Bush, she said.
During this summer’s political conventions, Wright said, Michelle Obama’s speech generated more tweets per minute (about 30,000) than any other speaker in either party. She outpaced President Obama (26,000 tweets per minute), followed by Clinton, Donald Trump and Melania Trump.
“People are still inherently interested in the spouse, and that’s different from other family members because they’re perceived to be the closest person,” Wright said. “I think it’s compounded that this person has the most access than anyone, more insight and knowledge than anyone else, more private influence.”
Wright, a member of White House Transition Project, which provides materials to both major party campaigns to help guide the incoming presidential spouse, acknowledged that 2016 is a year like no other for the candidates.
The same is true of the spouses. Obviously, Bill Clinton wouldn’t only be the first male presidential spouse, but a former president. Wright said by analyzing public comments from the campaigns it is presumed that Bill Clinton will be used in an area of expertise, such as economic matters.
What Bill Clinton would be called – first husband, presidential spouse or something else – is still unknown.
“He’s still entitled to be called President for the rest of his life,” Wright said.
Melania Trump would become only the second foreign-born First Lady, joining Louisa Adams, a London native, with that distinction, Wright said. Although in her public remarks Melania Trump has alluded to helping women and children, it is not yet known how that might materialize should Donald Trump win the White House.
What is likely to continue is aligning the spouse’s passions and professional expertise in areas that is consistent with the goals of the president and reinforce the administration’s policy agenda, Wright said.
The Chappaqua Public Library is located at 195. S. Greeley Ave. in Chappaqua.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/
