Candidates’ wives not immune to criticism

Jane Ham, Las Vegas

Saturday, May 24, 2008 | 2:03 a.m.

Barack Obama has come out swinging against a Republican campaign ad that attacked his wife, Michelle. He has informed us that using his wife in campaign ads against him is “off limits.”

Of course, Mr. Obama had to come to the defense of his wife. What kind of a man would he have looked like to his devoted followers if he had not? But privately Mr. Obama and his campaign staff must be worried about the damage done by Mrs. Obama, and probably they have told her to shut up already.

Mrs. Obama brought this on herself and her husband with her outspoken criticism of her country. She seems to have been influenced, during the past 20 years, by the sermons of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.

The question has been asked whether the presidents’ spouses should be off limits. Eleanor Roosevelt wasn’t. Mamie Eisenhower wasn’t. Jackie Kennedy wasn’t. Lady Bird Johnson wasn’t. Pat Nixon wasn’t. Rosalynn Carter wasn’t. Nancy Reagan and Hillary Clinton were criticized unmercifully. And what about candidates’ spouses Tipper Gore and Bill Clinton?

Is it possible that the character, works and actions of a presidential candidate’s spouse can influence the voters? Take Teresa Heinz Kerry, for example. Could it be that this outspoken, abrasive, elitist lady was one reason why her husband, John Kerry, lost the election?