The new breed of candidate's spouse (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Kathryn Westcott
BBC News

As Americans choose their candidates for the 2008 presidential race, never before have so many spouses battled it out so publicly.

The 2008 campaign has seen the role of the political spouse reshaped, with potential first ladies - and one possible first gentleman - more than ever acting as independent surrogates for their partners.

The past 12 months have seen Michelle Obama emerge as a formidable campaigner for her husband, drawing large crowds to her own scheduled events.

Outspoken, articulate, and independently minded, she has been widely seen as an asset to the Obama campaign.

The 44-year-old Ivy League lawyer has taken a much edgier role than the other candidates' wives: not shying away from going on the offensive where necessary.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7207323.stm

[TheDoorbellRang]

1. Ever notice how democratic first ladies are awesome

and publican first ladies are...not?