How Happy Are You With Ms. Heinz And Ms. Edwards?

[DrFunkenstein]

I'm wondering how people are feeling about Teresa and Elizabeth. Any feelings on their intelligence, independence, sense of decency, biography, their abilities as informal diplomats, etc.?

Don't let me influence you, but I am completely bonkers about both of them. I liked Hillary, but I always nagged by a feeling that she was too calculating. I don't pick that up at all from Teresa and Elizabeth. They seem like absolutely wonderful people to me and, pardon my French, f*ckin' brilliant!

I'm not sure about Elizabeth, but I know that Teresa is hardly going to sit around for four years with a haunted, vacant look (you all know who I'm talking about). If I was going to give anyone a media pulpit to do amazing things, surely Teresa would have little problem finding her way to the top of my list. Whether it is the environment or preventative health care or women's issues, she is going to help change the world for the better.

I, for one, am thrilled. And that's before we even start talking about their kids!!!

[NMDemDist2]

1. they are wonderful both of them

but elizabeth needs to get some new, more flattering clothes

[Jackson4Gore]

24. Niether compares to Tipper

[OSheaman]

27. Never was a big Tipper fan

As a heavy metal fan, I take issue with the PMRC. :-P

[Pepperbelly]

50. Why?

A Parental Advisory is a license to print money for the bands!

[Comicstripper]

56. Tipper

was a right-wing censorship whore. That being said, I love Teresa: the way you pronounce her name (tuh-RAY-zuh), her accent, her intelligence...she's dreamy.

[angee_is_mad]

39. clothes don't make the man or woman

but I am sure that they will polish her up alittle. Maybe Teresa will give her some tips.

[caledesi]

2. Elated! They really complement each other. We are going to win! nt

[hlthe2b]

3. I like them! Spunky, firey, and above all SMART!

The RW will surely try hard to demonize them--especially Theresa--like they did Hillary. They may go lighter on Elizabeth, despite her being a "dreaded" lawyer, given the maternal image she presents, with those adorable young children. But, Theresa, will surely become a lightening rod. I think we need to be prepared for that.

[stellanoir]

4. verrrry

I'm overwhelmingly impressed. Because of their mutual concerns for philanthropy and family and Teresa's Repuke and multinational history, and subtlety, and Elizabeth's uber intelligence and guts to have two children in her late 40's after the devastating loss of their eldest son. There is absolutely no comparison to Mrs. Stepford Pickles.

[hyphenate]

5. I'm impressed

We need strong women for role models. I think they fit that image very well, unlike a certain, dazed and drugged other first lady we know.

[riverwalker]

6. ecstatic!

With both of them. Elizabeth I adore, and the more I learn, the more I like her. There is a depth to her, and a quiet strength, and wisdom.
Theresa just blows me away (and I am usually pretty critical of other women!!) Smart, sexy, funny, but most of all, there is real compassion in her.
(After Medusa and Kali the Destroyer the country needs their nurturing.)

[amazona]

7. they seem great

I know little about them but Theresa came to Louisiana and used her French and made it clear that she doesn't give a **** about those anti-French bigots (to paraphrase the old Nancy Reagan comment). It was getting a little old hearing seemingly half the country trash our heritage. She looks great and seems to be very confident and charming.

I don't have a problem with Hillary being calculating, although I know what you mean. But some people have to be calculating because it doesn't come natural -- and the nerd in me sympathizes with her. But, sure, I won't pretend I don't know what you're talking about!

Theresa seems really warm and natural, and I look forward to learning more about Elizabeth. No "nerd" or calculating vibe at all, and that's probably just as well after all the stuff they threw at Al and Tipper, much less Hillary.

[lynx rufus]

8. very very good

[Lindacooks]

9. VERY!!!

eom

[Warpy]

10. I wasn't aware either of them were running for office

However, I find their appearances much less painful than those of that overstuffed Stepford character we have now.

[Lefty Pragmatist]

11. They each have strengths.

Heinz will play well in front of northeastern women's groups and liberal groups. Edwards will play well everywhere -- on CNN she was fantastic.

Heinz does need to be kept away from moderate/southern groups, however. To Middle America, she'll come across as Henry Kissinger in drag. She does not have the best public instincts and looks annoyed and pained when attempting to play the faux populist schtick. She makes Hillary look warm hearted. Yikes.

Edwards, on the other hand, has been a wonder so far and complements her husband and the ticket beautfully. I'd stick her in front of every Good Morning America haus frau show, get her cookie recipes all over the media, etc... basically, she's Tipper without being an a-hole.

Generally speaking, the women are at least a match for their men.

[fujiyama]

26. Teresa Heinz

might do well in liberal enclaves in swing states as well riling up the base, like say Portrland, OR, and Madison, WI.

However, you're probably right that she might not play as well in smaller towns and rural areas. John and Elizabeth Edwards would be better for those places.

[morningglory]

12. Glassy-eyed with delirium here. Oh, those smart Dem wimmin!

I miss being proud of my pres and first lady. I weep when I hear the Big Dog, Kerry, Edwards, Jimmy Carter, etc, speaking in complete sentences without a teleprompter.

[morningglory]

13. Post 666!! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! n/t

[kanrok]

14. That bottom photo is magnificent

What a great pic.

[spooky3]

15. I love them, admire them, thank them for what they are doing for us.

[Tom Rinaldo]

16. They are great

Right up there with Gert Clark in my book, and that is very high praise from me indeed.

[Auntie Bush]

21. I knew I could count on you Tom...to say the perfect discrete answer.

[vickie]

17. I adore Teresa!!! She is truly a Grand Dame!

Teresa is spectacular - brilliant, cultured, (fluently speaks 5 languages), compassionate, loving, nurturing, generous, honest, decent and doesn't stand for nonsense. She'll be a combination of Eleanor and Jackie - an uber First Lady.

From the little I've seen of Mrs. Edwards, she seems like a lovely woman.

[Justice]

18. Fabulous

Everytime I hear Teresa speak, I think, wow.

I heard her tonight - she is very caring and moving. Her voice is soft, yet full of energy and compassion. She speaks glowingly of Elizabeth.

[Retrograde]

19. what's not to like?

They seem intelligent and independent.

[Crewleader]

20. Both women are what this country needs!

Compassion, along with intelligence and both being mothers, who knows what it takes to care for a family and the values this country needs with lots of honesty that has been missing in the white house for a long time. Behind every great man is his woman who is there supporting him as well as he for her....the give and take that makes a marriage successful.That's who we have with Theresa and Elizabeth in the Kerry/Edwards team.

I think Theresa and Elizabeth are great assets to their husbands as well as they are in their own right and even more for this country who needs their attention for issues that have been neglected.
They both will be helpful many ways.

I like Elizabeth and Theresa, both have my admiration very much!

[texasmom]

22. Love them!! n/t

[InvisibleTouch]

23. Love Teresa ... don't know enough about Elizabeth yet.

Last week at the Dayton rally was the first time I'd heard Teresa speak, and wow! She really impressed me. Absolutely calm and confident. She struck me as someone I'd really love to have a conversation with, or a friendship with, for that matter - she's well-travelled and has experienced the world from a lot of different perspectives, she's multilingual which indicates a respect for other cultures, and she's clearly a person of great depth and intelligence. And her accent is great. :) She'll make a fantastic role model as First Lady.

Elizabeth sounded nervous when she addressed the crowd - and I could sympathize, as I still shudder at the memory of my fourth-grade teacher making everyone stand up in front of the class to recite a poem once a month. I don't really have a sense of who Elizabeth is as of yet, except that she and Teresa seem to have hit it off really well.

I'll look forward to learning more about them both.

[bigwillq]

37. Search for yesterday's USA TODAY

Great article about the future Mrs. Vice President!

[Toucano]

25. They're both great...

as was hinted at and joked about in the 60 minutes interview, I think Teresa could be someone who might possibly be TOO honest! :)

It will be very refreshing after an administration of constant lies.

Elizabeth is so smart and articulate. I'm really proud of them!

I think Teresa could consider a new hairstyle, though. There's nothing wrong with the current one, but it often ends up in her face. It's such an asset, I hate for her lovely face to be concealed.

[Sugarbleus]

28. I don't know enough about either of them...well, maybe a bit

more about Theresa. I think Theresa is a very interesting woman. She has a fascinating history. However, I think she hogs the mike too much. She seems a bit too controlling also. Maybe she will be a wonderful helper and mover and shaker for all of us beside her husband. Time will tell.

I knew less about Elizabeth until that rally in NC this Saturday. She is a very intelligent and educated woman. Watching her at the rally, I liked her a bit more. She seems more "salt of the earth" type...that appeals to me...just my feelings.

Someone said something about Tipper Gore. I really liked her. Didn't much care for Gore--though I did vote for him. But Tipper was seriously concerned about issues that everyone else wanted to ignore.

I do NOT like Hillarys politics lately and would never vote for her unless a Bush was running as the republican. Yuck.

[LimpingLib]

29. White.....white.....white is as white does.

I REALLY think we need a rule that whomever we Democrats nominate from NOW ON MUST at least look somewhat like the world at large or at least have a spouse like that (a pathetic start which we failed miserably).

Switch Kerry and Heinz around on that photo and you could literally say from left to right "white..whiter..even whiter..whitest".


Its time we start realizing there is a world out there and as of 2008 Im REALLY going to start holding it against our ticket.I dont mean to sound racist (honestly , Im a white whose skin is only slightly more olive than Kerrys)but in the year 2005 I just cant help but since the irony of nominating a blonde/brown haired blue eyed pretty boy with VERY pale skin for VP and then making a big issue out of his looks like its some asset.Maybe the same 60 or 70 year old southern gal who slobbers over David Hasslehoff will be turned on by Edwards but I dont know. Kerry even made some joke about Edwards good hair and then a poll came out a day later showing voters overwhelmingly thought Bush's hair was the best.

Man I hope this Edwards guy lives up to "expectations".

[saracat]

32. What "hair poll" was that? Link please.

Who could possibly think Bush has better hair?

[LimpingLib]

47. LOL you just dont get it when I say "expectations"

Edwards won the popularity contest hands down. I hope that wasnt what we expected from him.

Hair is irrelevant but I agree Bush doesnt turn me on (not just because Im a hetero male though thats a main reason)either.

[DrFunkenstein]

34. You Are A Credit To Your Race

I'm not really sure what your point is besides bemoaning the fact that the Senators didn't marry black women. Would Condoleeza Rice have made a better VP choice? Not only is she black, she is a woman!

And as for the hair vote, I'm not sure what TV station you are watching, but that was in a four way contest. Kerry and Edwards split the vote, but together beat Bush for better hair. Now don't you feel better?

PS - It says something to me that in an informal poll of waiters in Iowa during the primaries, Kerry came in first and Edwards second for best tipper/most cordial customer. And don't say it is because they are rich, because there are plenty of cheap rich folks.

[blm]

43. Guess you never noticed Teresa is Portugese, born and raised in Africa.

She marched against apartheid in the 60s when it was truly dangerous.

Try learning something about folks before you judge them based on your perception of their skincolor.

[LimpingLib]

58. I knew that and your point is?

LOL I study the migrations of people from since the beginning of time. Iberian history is one Im about to study intensly get sometime soon. I guess your point is that there are no Nordic type peoples along the southern part of Europe which is dead wrong. And even if he complextion was slightly darler (due to vitamin D in fish , Mediterranian caucasion peoples skin remined a *little* darker as it didnt need to absord more sunlight)at times then its still very much *white* . Honestly Spanish and Portugese are almost entirely pale type whites from what Ive seen (Italians have more light-medium skinned citizens) but I admit I wouldnt call one of the 10% of Indians (from the subcontinent of Asia)who are genetic caucasions "run of the mill whitties" on a whim a their skin is noticably darker. I dont think your point is a good one, but no problem. (and the Moors were Syrian origonaly plus they were expelled so dont start telling me Spanish or Portugese peoples are equivelent to North Africans, I can see it coming , besides only like 0.6% of Spanish Catholics have any type of Arab blood in them and much of it is Syrian)

And FYI John Kerry despite being half Irish (the most pale ethnicity in the world)and despite the fact that he has mostly Irish fatures does have a noticably darker complextion than other Irish
(I easily noticed it LONG ago before we all learned about his Jewish roots)because on one side his family was Jewish (and probabilly looked somewhat middle eastern to an extent). Not that it matters too much as the Irish in him made him clearly white (not that his Jewish parents werent)to his Irish voters in Mass with perhaps a slight olive complextion.

Anyway yes Im aware not everybody is northern European.

Good day.

[Toucano]

45. "Im REALLY going to start holding it against our ticket."

It would be fair if you hold it against all the tickets equally.

"I just cant help but since the irony of nominating a blonde/brown haired blue eyed pretty boy..."

What you describe isn't irony.

Your obvious fixation with skin tones is a strange problem you have which you shouldn't visit upon the Democratic candidates.

[LiberalManiacfromOC]

30. Love them!

A lot better than Pickles (and Lynn Cheney).

[VOX]

31. They are both terrific!

Their *life* shines through, they are highly intelligent, they are witty, they have (gasp) their own opinions and ideas!

Couldn't even wish for better -- I can't make a single criticism regarding these two fine women.

[democratreformed]

33. I don't know that much about Elizabeth, but,

the fact that she is/was (?) a career woman impresses me. From what I know about Teresa, I am very impressed with her. Just her overall persona seems to be a woman that I very much admire.

I believe she will be a dynamic and very involved first lady. She is extremely intelligent and worldly. She is compassionate and very kind. She is also a very strong lady who knows how to get things done. I really like her very much.

[Hillary for Pres]

35. They are no Hillary!

They both are two great women, who appreciate life. But they are no Hillary. They seem to both be very outspoken with very little energy. We need someone back in this whitehouse that will work side by side with the President. Someone who is willing to take on a challenge such as healthcare.

[bigwillq]

36. I use to like Mrs. Heinz Kerry better than her husband

I still love the Mrs. but I love Mr. Kerry now too.

I love Mrs. Edwards as well. There was a great article about her in yesterday's USA Today and it showed a lot about her character and her love of children. She will be a good spokeswoman for education.

[SW FL Dem]

38. Thrilled n/t

[goclark]

42. Thrilled Beyond Words

Both are role models for the females of the 21st Century.
They are involved. Not just an extension of the husbands.

I admire both for coming back and "living" again after the loss of the spouse and the son. I don't care how much money they have,they suffered.

So what if Elizabeth is not Cameron Diaz! The average woman in America looks more like Elizabeth than some plastic person. Teresa has a wispy voice more like Jacqui Kennedy. That is cool too.

Let them be who they are, that would be so refreshing! That's why I loved Hilliary. She was smart and she didn't care who knew it. Elizabeth and Teresa have more brains in their little fingers than the whole crew of BushSteps(Stepford) Wimp Wives.


They have opinions and are not afraid to share them. Pickles on the other hand may have a silly opinion but it is not deep or even above a 1st grader. All she does is smile, what a waste.

Pickles sets women back 50 years/60 yrs.,no to the Stone Age.

[Southsideirish]

40. Opposite of Republicun zombie wives with helmet hair and that

weird stoned/zoned cast to their eyes.

[blm]

41. LOVE them BOTH!!!! BTW...ever notice that Teresa

looks an awful lot like Patty Smythe? That would be Ms. John McEnroe.

[dolstein]

44. Judging from the 60 minutes interview

I'd say that Elizabeth Edwards has better political instincts than any of them. She's one smart cookie.

[Darth_Ole]

46. To tell you the truth...

I'm not a big fan of Teresa. I've only seen her speak once or twice, but to me she represents aristocracy and the over-privileged of America. She doesn't represent the average wife or mother and I doubt many people have anything in common with her.

Elizabeth Edwards, however, is just like her husband. I get the impression that she came from a normal middle-class family. Most people could probably relate to her.

[flaminbats]

48. I think both help Kerry on issues which he is weakest.

Teresa will ease the concerns of many mothers, who fear that Kerry may be just as eager as Bush to send their sons to die in war. She will also do the most to mobilize the Democratic base. Elizabeth will help Kerry the most with working women in the Midwest, with professions living in the research triangle of North Carolina and in silicon valley California.

[DrFunkenstein]

49. Got To Give Props To Lynne Cheney

She was willing to make her husband look like an ass to do the right thing.

Just thought I'd mention that.

[spooky3]

51. She does deserve credit re: gay rights but that's about all.

She's done a lot of damage on other fronts.

[TexasSissy]

52. I like them both mucho. But I don't think they'll appeal to the average

American woman out there. They're too different. Teresa is foreign, highly intelligent, and educated. Elizabeth will relate better to average women, but she's a BR lawyer and very independent - I don't think the average woman will connect that much, although more so than with Teresa.

I do think Laura Bush connects better with the average woman. Not with me, but I'm single and independent, etc. Laura Bush comes from a privileged background, unlike Teresa, but she plays that down, instead choosing to be the typical, dim-witted "I'm just a wife, not a political advisor."

I hope I'm wrong. But that's what I think. Most American women aren't the independent, single women who live in large cities. They're like my mother was...intelligent, but under-educated, tending to vote how their husbands vote, and not relating (and a bit jealous) of women who lead a more independent lifestyle. But they'll like the fact that Liz has little children. (I'm not crazy about kids, so that doesn't affect me much, although I think they're kinda cute.)

[spooky3]

53. With all due respect, I think you are wrong about the majority of women.

I'm sure you are right about many women, but not the majority.

Very few American women are housewives now. Your mom's demographic is very definitely in the minority; fewer than 7% of American households are comprised of hubby in the workforce, wife at home, and two school-age kids. I realize demographics are only part of the picture, but they are an important part. The vast majority of married women go back to work before their kids are 5 years old, because they must. Their lives are nothing like Laura's. Single women, as you know, having virtually nothing in common with Laura and many of them do not aspire to be like her. All of these women are busy, have to do their best at work, and their families depend on their work for money and their work at home. They don't relate to dimwits.

Neither Teresa nor Elizabeth are independent "career women" in the purest sense--both were privileged enough to take substantial times away from paid work due to husbands' jobs or wealth, which most women don't have the opportunity to do, but they used it to raise their kids and do charitable work. Many women can relate to and respect those things, as you say, particularly Elizabeth's little children. So "career women" won't see a match in T & E, but they will relate to them much more closely than they will to Pickles.

[democratreformed]

55. God, I hope you're wrong too!

I would much rather believe that my fellow females have enough sense to appreciate an intelligent, independent woman more than the fluff we have now. Sadly, though, you're probably right.

[TexasSissy]

57. I hope I'm wrong, too. But I have a Dem. friend who works full

time and is married. She saw Teresa on Larry King and thought she was "weird." My friend is a true Texan; I think she just didn't identify with her.

But I hope I'm wrong.

[DemBones DemBones]

62. A Republican friend of mine was raving about Elizabeth

Edwards last week. She'd seen her on morning tv before coming to our meeting and thought she was terrific. My friend is a very sharp and independent woman though she married young and made her husband and five kids her career. She's in her late 80's, as my mother would be if she were still living. I have a number of older friends and the only talk about independent women I ever hear from them is concern that a daughter (granddaughter, greatgranddaughter) is not independent enough! And this is in Georgia and not in a big city. The times they are a-changin'. Always.

[JohnKleeb]

54. Personally of all the candiates wives, I liked those two best

Like Teresa reminds me of Jackie Kennedy in a way, she's smart, fluent in many languages, and interesting. Elizabeth Edwards is smart as well, and like her husband a lawyer. They have nice daughters too, I am sure we all saw Vanessa Kerry's boob exposed at Cannes, but has anyone else seen Cate Edwards, she's quite pretty.

[TexasSissy]

59. Don't know them well enough yet to know that. They seem okay.

I like them better than Laura Bush.

But it doesn't matter much to me. I vote for the person running (although I know the spouse has a lot of influence).

They both seem intelligent, and I understand that Liz is a dynamite campaigner and campaign-runner.

[DoYouEverWonder]

60. It will be so nice

to have normal people back in the WH.

[wishlist]

61. There is going to be an A&E special July 22 on them plus Judy Dean!!!

I just looked at my new TV Guide for next week and noticed that there will be an an hour long program to air at 10 pm next Thursday July 22 called 'Washington Wives' with Sally Quinn showing Teresa, Elizabeth and Judy up close and personal in this special. (No Stepford wives mentioned.) Special gets high rating from reviewer Susan Stewart who calls it fascinating- so it looks like a must-see program.

I am very pleased with everything I have heard from these 2 women. I have loved Teresa ever since the Barbara Walters interview. I knew Elizabeth could hold her own after seeing her interviewed during the primaries but I didn't know how outspoken and brilliant she is. Loved how she placed responsibility on Jeb Bush today for the Florida election fiasco 4 years ago.

[DemBones DemBones]

63. Judy Dean on "Washington Wives"???

Does not compute.

Are they assuming Howard will have a place in Kerry's cabinet?

[foo_bar]

64. do you work for the campaign?

it's nothing personal, you just seem to have better photos than we civilians.