WIVES IN POLITICS

Women and children first seems to be the pattern for this year’s political conventions. John Kerry’s daughters told about saving the hamster and other matters, and his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, introduced him. John Edwards had a similar family introduction. And we can look forward to likely family introductions of President Bush and Vice President Cheney at their convention.

We all know why this got started. Candidates want to show a warm, human side to take the edge off the inevitable mud slinging that has already begun. Mr. Kerry had a special interest in demonstrating himself as a good family man after a second marriage, and with loving children and stepchildren. The Kerry performance was in part a response to conservative implications that Democrats are anti-family.

But isn’t it a little too pat for wives and children to take the stage to praise the husband and father? Who else could be more predisposed in his favor? Of course they like him. Why not follow an earlier pattern, an introduction by a former rival, explaining how he or she came to believe in the candidate?

Another objection is that this new fad may be sending an unintended message that the proper place for women in politics is as a supportive wife of a candidate. Boys and girls see men striving to become president and see women as part of the familial support crew. Occasionally when a husband introduces his wife as a candidate for office it is noted as a novelty. And in the United States a woman for president seems far off, although many other countries have taken that step.

In an old song, still loved by many, a husband honors his wife by singing, “You are the wind beneath my wings,” while he got all the glory. Something of an unfortunate message, so would it be surprising if the line inspired the lyrical response “Is That All There Is”?