Heinz Kerry Speaks Her Mind as Convention Softens Its Tone

[papau]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-demwrap28jul28.story

Heinz Kerry Speaks Her Mind as Convention Softens Its Tone
By Mark Z. Barabak and Doyle McManus
Times Staff Writers

July 28, 2004

Teresa Heinz Kerry vouched for her husband and made her own national political debut Tuesday, as Democrats turned from bashing President Bush to putting on the patriotic pep rally they had promised.

Heinz Kerry, whose spontaneity and outspokenness have sparked some controversy, delivered a forceful and passionate conclusion to the day's program at the Democratic National Convention.

"My right to speak my mind, to have a voice, to be what some have called 'opinionated'," she said, creating quote marks with her fingers, "is a right I deeply and profoundly cherish." The audience of 4,000 delegates interrupted her with whoops and cheers.

"My only hope," she went on, "is that one day soon, women, who have all earned the right to have their opinions, instead of being labeled opinionated, will be called smart or well-informed, just as men are."

The helpmate-as-character-witness has become one of the staples of political conventions. However, few such appearances have been as anticipated as Heinz Kerry's turn in prime time, a reflection of her exotic mien as an African immigrant, billionaire philanthropist, heiress, widow of Republican Sen. John Heinz and wife of Sen. John F. Kerry, the Democrats' soon-to-be presidential nominee. After an opening night of double-barreled attacks from presidents past, Tuesday's session was more temperate, if not altogether tame.<snip>

[Not Me]

1. You go girl...

When I think back, the beginnings were with Rosalyn Carter, then skipping over Reagan and Bush41, again with Hillary. We start to see the emergence of an increasingly independent thinking--and speaking--First Lady.

Of course, such has not been the case in the last 3 1/2 years. A slight exception is with Lynne Cheney's comments a few weeks ago which contradicted her husband's flipflop position on the gay marriage amendment. And it caused tremendous consternation within the Rethug party.

Get ready for a new day when the wife of the president will not feel she has to be muzzled. It will change the nature of the role forever.

I say, Bring It On.