Would Callista Gingrich fit the bill as first lady?
Recent comments by members of The Californian's Sounding Board have focused on the pros and cons of the presidential candidacy of Newt Gingrich, but at least one comment mentioned his wife, Callista. It occurred to me that we seldom reflect on the woman in this picture. Certainly she knew he was a married man when their relationship began. Did she know his daughters?
Thoughts of former first ladies came to mind: Mamie Eisenhower, with her bangs and her unaffected dignity; Rosalynn Carter and her gentle but stedfast support of the South; Barbara Bush, with her pearls and her views on women's rights; Hillary Clinton, with her pantsuits, her "stand by my man" attitude and, of course, the failed health care plan; and Laura Bush and her teaching skills, which did not include teaching her husband.
Then, today, as we look at Michelle Obama, we see a devotion to good nutrition, to our veterans and, most of all, to her children. All of the aforementioned women shared a tenacious desire to protect their children.
These memorable first ladies also shared a compassionate understanding of most Americans, our desire to look up to the wives of our elected officials.
Can we look up to someone who carried on an extensive affair? Who pursues a high lifestyle and has a passion for jewelry? Callista Gingrich seems to be oblivious to the concerns of many mothers and grandmothers as to what kind of an example she provides.
Ruth Richardson
Bakersfield
