Randi,
Cindy McCain seems like a great woman to me. One that I’d be proud of to be the First Lady. So what if she had an addiction to pain killers. A lot of people get on them for an injury and get hooked. Atleast she confronted that problem and solved it and is clean now. She seems like a really smart and classy woman that could use her resources and schooling to do a lot to help this nation. Maybe she will get that chance.

Looking forward to your report tonight.

Cynthia, Covington, Ga.

No, of course she’s not perfect. But I respect her just as I would respect any other human being. I’m glad she’s enjoying the campaign this time around. I wish the dirty politics would just stop. People say that if you’re in the public eye, you have to be able to take the dirty publicity, but that doesn’t make it right. And people shouldn’t believe right away what they see in the papers or on the Internet. They should research the truth themselves.

Lilibeth
Edmonds, Washington

“Here’s the back-story: In 1989, Cindy had a bad car accident and started taking prescription pain killers for her back injury. Four years later, she was still addicted to pain killers. Friends say her mother confronted her and she admitted her addiction, then immediately stopped taking the pills.”

Would be nice if that were the whole story. My understanding is that her drug problem extended into the realm of stealing pills from her own American Voluntary Medical Team.

Cindy McCain reminds me of a Barbie doll. Michelle Obama will make a much classier First Lady.

Oh please, she looks and acts like the perfect Stepford Wife - should fit in perfectly with the GOP. She reminds me of Nancy Reagan, the original plastic, always gazing lovingly up at hubby, political robot wife.

The Stepford wife ? Just what this country needs…

Poor Cindy McCain looks more plastic and glassy eyed than Laura Bush. She has nothing in common with the vast majority of Americans, as stated she is from the upper class and has never had to work a day in her life. Not that this fact alone separates her, but the fact that she seems to have never made an effort to engage in higher levels of thinking, or philanthropy that involved more than her checkbook.

I detest Karl Rove and his tactics. He was scum when he smeared John McCain and Cindy McCain in 2000 and he is a traitor and scum for leaking the identity of a covert agent since then.

Cindy McCain is an amazing woman and would make a great First Lady. Her husband is pretty amazing too for that matter.

Sure she can be labeled a drug addict, she’s a recovering drug addict as you are always a recovering drug addict even if you haven’t touched it in 20 years. Irregardless, what’s important here is that she has taken responsibility, kicked her habit, and doesn’t hide from it or lie about it. We don’t need perfect people in the White House, we need responsible people who own up to their mistakes and rectify them. And to say Meghan keeps a “grudge list”, I think that’s going a bit far. I think anyone who has been attacked is mindful of the attackers and is careful to not fall into the same trap a second time. We shouldn’t be painting her as a vengeful soul til she has proven to be so.

That is what I am talking about. What a gal.

Cindy comes across as a stepford wife on TV.

Both in looks and temperament, the anti-Hillary.

i’m a die hard replican and i wouldn’t trust these two with a ten foot pole.

It’s just curious to me that we rarely see them with all of their children. Are not the younger children still school age?

She is always by his side. I can not recall a campaign stop or speech where she was not pictured over his right shoulder.

Connie,

I agree with you totally. I told my family and friends that they dress McCain’s wife up and stand her behind him just like a “Barbie Doll.” Can she talk? Can she stop moving her eyes and focus? Michelle will bring class to the White House just like Jackie did.

Connie: Cindy McCain, a “Barbie doll”? At least she’s always been proud of the USA, unlike Michelle — who only just last month felt proud of the USA for the 1st time in her life.

for Connie - You’re kidding right? lol

First of all, I want to know how many children that John McCain had with his first wife and where are they. Obviously they aren’t in the political picture with their father.

Yes, what else can you expect from a Republican wife but a stepford wife. Look at your current first lady? - Laura.

This is the first time ever that I have ever heard of anyone being addicted to anything where they admitted their addiction, then “immediately stopped”. Not without Divine intervention, anyway. That is no where in this story, nor family.

Connie,

You mean the same Michelle Obama that was’t proud of her Country before this past few months?

This woman isn’t running for President people, her husband is!

Connie: you think Michelle Obama would make a classier first lady?

Uh, we are talking about the Michelle Obama who said in a speech a week ago that for her entire adult life she has been ashamed of her nation? (what she actually said is that for the first time in her adult life she is proud of America, which means that all the rest of the time she has been ashamed of it). That Michelle Obama?

I think Barak is a pretty good guy. While I disagree with much of his politics, I’m certain that if I could sit down and have a cup of coffee and a talk with him for half an hour, we would agree on little but he would *respectfully* disagree with me, as I would with him. I’m sure that’s not true of Hillary, and it’s probably not even true of McCain. I have enough differences with him that even though I’m a life-long Republican, I was seriously considering voting for Obama if he wins the Democratic nomination. However, Michelle Obama’s disgraceful statement has sealed the deal; I’m voting for McCain.

Michelle Obama is so unfit to be first lady that if Barak were the only candidate running, I’d write in my own name rather than vote for him.

She’s ashamed of her country? She ought to be ashamed of herself. I hope Barak understands what a political liability she became with that statement.

Her “grudge list” cannot be longer than Hillary Clinton’s.

I’m not sure if she is perfect but I’m sure she will make a better first lady that Bill Clinton

I’m sorry but if Michelle Obama had a history of drug addiction and stealing from her own company, people would be all over it. Why is this woman getting a free pass?

To all the overweight, unattractive, Molly Ivans-esque women dishing on McCain’s wife…don’t hate, CONGRATULATE!

Cindy is hardly perfect. No one is..but as a first lady I find her to be they typical stand behind my man and keep my mouth shut. She is a Barbie doll!!!!!!!!!! I find it amusing that this 18 year separation in ages between her and her husband is viewed as acceptable…what if Hillary had a mate 18 years younger than her?? Barack and his wife remind me of people you would see in your own town, a very likable pair. I hope this country looks at Barack and the other candidates closely, but remember who got us in the mess we are in now, namely the “more experienced” candidates of McCain and Clinton. And, isn’t 20 years of a Bush or Clinton in the White House enough?????????

I pray I am as beautiful and classy in 30 years!

Oh dear - a painkiller addiction. How terrible Compared to what we could possibly get with the “First Man” in Bill Clinton, I’ll take her in a nano-second. Prescription pill addiction vs. a man who has cheated on his wife for the entirety of their sham marraige. The only reason Billary stays together is because they both feed each others insatiable hunger for power.

I don’t know much about Michelle Obama. Appears to be a kind woman, and clearly she’s brilliant and has an amazing educational background. Sometimes she does look a little star struck from the attention she’s getting.

She admitted her drug addiction and stopped taking the pills immediately? ANY drug addict will tell you that it doesn’t exactly work that way. if only it did. there’s MUCH more to the story that they aren’t telling.

To me she has “dead” eyes. Just white blanks lacking color or expression. Robot-like; seems like a droid. McCain probably has 18 of her stashed around the country. They keep them plugged in and charged up until he needs 1 rolled out for a campaign appearance here or there.

Let’s just say “Betty Ford”! The problem is not Cindy McCain, it is our media. Ready to smear and destroy for a story! I think she would be a wonderful first lady and as beautiful as she is, my comment to John is “way ot go dude”!

Here is another cliche. “He who lives in glass houses should not throw rocks!”

Good Luck John AND Cindy!!!

Addiction is a horrible problem that destroys many people along with thier families. Millions of Americans suffer from it and many never recover. I hope that if McCain is elelected President she will be open and honest about her struggles with addiction and take it on as part of her agenda.

On a side note I think she looks as though she has been under the knife one to many times and just needs to face the fact that she is getting old just like the rest of us!

She’s First Lady material, a la Jackie Kennedy: attractive, well dressed, well bred, well spoken. Bill is my first choice for First “Lady”, Cindy is my second.

I’m not a McCain supporter but I believe wives should be off limits. I’m sure everyone has heard the story of Cindy but she has not hidden from it so please enough with the dirty Politics…..No one is perfect so stop trying to make them out to be perfect, please stick to issues of the American People and not their past misdeeds.

Just what we need. A repeat of the Bush White House. We have a President now that loves war and a Stepford Wife for first lady. This will be a continuation of the past 8 years with the addition of BOMB IRAN.

I sure Cindy is, was, and will always be proud of America!

I was surprised when I first saw her. Her husband seems like a genuine, living, breathing person, but she is too un-real in her perfect, un-natural appearance. I was surprised at the combination. I think she has a deep mean streak as she went after Michelle Obama. Give me Michelle in the White House: lovely, really lovely.

Not perfect!!!!
1st strike: She had an affair with a married man; 2nd strike: She stole prescription drugs; 3rd strike: She has a mean streak……..came out when she passive agressively stated “I am proud of my country” to bash Michelle Obama!
And she needs to stand further away from him when he gives speeches (she probably has been told to take up half the frame so that he looks youthful..with a much younger wife next to him!).

It is a campaign strategy to have Cindy positioned right at John’s shoulder any time he is in public, and especially when he is on TV. Simply, it makes him appear younger.

I am pro Hillary - but I honestly don’t think Michelle Obama meant that she has NEVER been proud of her country. I think her words/meaning were highly misunderstood. A bad slip of the tongue…yes. But, I honestly don’t believe that is what she meant. She is only human. Humans often say the wrong things in the wrong way.

She impressed me on the Larry King interview as being a highly articulate and intelligent woman.

What a dumb article - this sounds more like E! than CNN - always looking for an angle to bash someone….this isn’t professional journalism, it’s sleazy trash….

People are only giving Cindy McCain a hard time because she has accomplished so much and because she is beautiful. Society does not want woman to have both and on top of that be conservative. She is clearly brilliant, she went to Grad school at USC and now runs her family’s Anheuser Busch distribution company. She worked with children with severe disabilities, started a non-profit organization and adopted a child and gave her opportunities she never could of dreamed of in Bangladesh. So if you don’t like her politics great, a lot of people do not, but it seems disingenuous and without merit to say such nasty things about someone because they made a mistake. A mistake that she eventually set right unlike a lot of politicians and there mistakes.

There is too much focus being put on the wives of political candidates. Why are we focussing on the potential First Lady rather than the issues and the candidates themselves?
Cindy’s addiction to pain killers and Michelle’s use of free speech will not have an impact on who I am going to vote for.

Why are we debating the “qualifications” of a First Lady anyway? I don’t care how young the first lady is, or how pretty she is, or if she has had addictions. I don’t mean to sound misogynistic, but the First Lady has no role whatsoever in the government. Her job is basically to smile and give the public the picture that her husband is a good, electable, family man.

Um, can I borrow a calendar. According to the reports I’ve read McCain and Shepp were divorced in February and he married Cindy in May of the same year…”About a month after his divorce, Cindy and John McCain got married.” Let’s make it sound as seedy as we can though…

No offense to the Mccain’s, but every time I see Cindy Mccain I think “stepford wife.” Show America who you are. We’ve heard from Michelle Obama and Bill Clinton, what will you do in the White House as First Lady if your husband wins? I’d like to know that you aren’t just a pretty face and that there is a brain behind the beauty.

“Unfit to be First Lady”?

There is only one qualification to be First Lady, and that is to be married to the President.

Has not worked a day in her life? USC grad, teacher, mom, politician’s spouse, chairman of the board…stop hating! All remaining candidates, and spouses, are amazing people in their own right. We’re building up for an interesting year…can we keep the little pieces of dirt on the ground?

In regards to Connie’s statement ” Cindy McCain reminds me of a Barbie doll. Michelle Obama will make a much classier First Lady”.
I don’t want a first lady who is just now after 26 years of her adult life (after turning 18) now pround of her country. I have been pround of my country my entire adult life, and i am a legal Immigrant and pround citizen of the United States of America, and so is my wife who is also a legal immigrant been pround of this country since 1992 when she arrived.

Michelle Obama said what she said and there is no side stepping it. It is what it is.

She most certainly is not perfect … as no one is, but she “fits” the American dream —- beautiful blonde, well dressed and well provided for!!! He is at least twice her age!

Sounds like a lot of jealous people out there wishing they could look as nice as Cindy.

I think the ultimate america dream for anyone is President of this country. And, for 232 years that was a dream for white men. It’s an exciting race to see that dream is now obtainable for women and non-whites. I believe Michelle’s comment was more excitement, pride and hope (not in any way anti-American) b/c now, her husband- and many others supporting Obama (plus, those supporting Clinton, for that matter)- have now been able to take a once impossible dream and make it their own obtainable goal. This is probably the MOST American race we’ve ever had- a women, an African American and a war hero (pity, he wasn’t voted in 2000- he would’ve been great…)

This woman just reeks of white privilege… she obviously never has, nor ever will, have to depend on any sort of public assistance for her or her families’ survival. She is devoid of any kind of empathy for the struggle of the average American working family. Come on people! Get real! Do we want another robotic, creepy stepford wife in the white house?

Arizona residents, like myself, remember the whole story. She was actually caught stealing pain medications from terminally ill paitents to feed her addiction. When caught, she got off because of her connections. Her defense was that she “never took pain meds from anyone who really needed them”. WHAT!!!!!!!!! Is this the best our country can do for a first lady??

All presidential political candidates, their wives and husbands, have one thing in common…. They would all make a a great daytime reality drama show that could continue untill the next election.

Talk about leaving the facts out. I think a little more research into her drug addiction and her family’s history in Arizona might have shed some light on this fluff piece. Might also want to research the stroke she had because she stopped taking her high-blood pressure meds because her blood pressure had gone down.

You people need to get a life…. this is amazing snooty and nosey people can be. Amazing. Whats really shameful is that CNN perpetuates this activity.

Why do people even care about the first lady? She’s not going to be running the country. Why don’t you focus all of your energy on the candidates, and not their spouses. You shouldn’t be voting for somebody based on what their spouse looks like.

While Ms. McCain is very classy she does come across a little stepford-ish; but to equate Ms. Obama with Ms. Kennedy-Onassis is a stretch. Obviously Ms. Connie and Ms. Bernadetta didn’t catch Ms. Obama on Larry King…

I like how people are still referring to Michelle Obama’s now infamous “proud of my country for first time” line. If those who are condeming her would read the entire transcript they would know she was referring to how for the first time she is proud of how the country is responding to this election. How proud she is that millions of people are voting for the first time and how proud she is that the country is so energized about this election.
But of course, it is just easier to read out of context and only respond to those lines that may reflect a negative..

JB: I can’t believe you would change your vote based on what the candidates wife said - even after she admitted that she misspoke (She meant to say this was the first time in her adult life that she is proud of American Politics, not America). You were willing to throw away your political convictions and pick a president just because of one misspoken statement by a candidates wife? Way to pick a president! Shame on you for exercising your voting right in such an irresponsible way…

Well, I mostly agree with what Clinton said, aside from two points; although the spouse of a candidate should not be a determinant of whether or not to vote for a candidate, there are two problems with your argument:

1) you assume that the first lady will always be a woman … “give the public the picture that her husband is a good, electable family man.” Although I’m not a Hillary supporter, I think the fact that she’s practically tied with Barack Obama is testament to the fact that the First Lady will eventually be a First Gentleman.

2) there is something to be said about the company you keep. I’m not about to criticize Cindy McCain for drug addiction; think Betty Ford. But that she “instantly” stopped? At minimum there was a struggle. No one stops cold turkey with no doubts or struggles along the way. She does come off as being a bit disingeneous, which to me, I find troubling.

One last point: Michelle Obama completely mispoke; what she meant was that given the strife that African Americans have faced in this country, there was always a small piece of herself that was (rightfully) ashamed of America — the fact that an African American (and frankly, a woman), could very well be President by 2009 and WILL be the nominee of the Democratic Party, allows her to be truly proud of her country.

Even the most patriotic amongst us are unhappy with some elements of America. This includes the Conservatives. Think of those who oppose the teaching of evolution in schools; that group is normally on the right. Are they “un-patriotic” because they are “ashamed” that the Department of Education helps educate America’s children on something they think is fundamentally flawed? No, they aren’t.

Let’s just stop the pointless banter and go back to truly analyzing Hillary, Barack and McCain, to determine who would be the best leader for America.

I live within walking distance of the McCain’s home in Phoenix. Cindy McCain is a lovely woman who has made a significate difference in the Phoenix/Arizona community. Everyone has ups and downs in life, she is no different and niether are you. Mrs. McCain is anything but a stepford wife, she understands she is not running for President her husband is. We should be so lucky as to have such a beautiful, respectful First Lady in the White House. Nothing against Michelle Obama but she’s no Cindy McCain.

I am not all that interested in her “perfection,” an impossible quality. I guess I’m more interested in who is going to best support our president and our country. Cindy seems to be a good choice. Bill seems to be a good choice. Michelle seems to have the baggage of not really liking ALL of America that much …finally being proud to be an American and all.

Wow, this is the type of hard-hitting journalism CNN should be proud of. Randi quick question, did you learn of this at McCain’s backyard BBQ? I am breathlessly waiting for your next piece “McCain, Messiah or merely Saint?” But I understand if you are too busy writing about how Hillary is “shrill”…. or how the Democrats are in disarray….

Elizabeth, I agree with you. Can’ t the man stand by himself? He should embrace his age.

It is unbelievable to me that people put so much emphasis on this subject. This is not a “check yes or no” issue of whether someone will be “perfect” or a “failure” as first lady.

I hope you all are as passionate about reading into the details of our candidates’ policies as you are interested in the tabloid stories and sound bytes surrounding the candidates’ wives (and husbands)

I do not know much about Cindy, but she seems alright to me. She does seem a little too perfect, but nothing like Laura Bush. I have never supported Bush for President. But I adore John McCain. I would have voted for him back in 2000 instead of Al Gore. I like the Clintons as well. I don’t think Obama would be as bad as Bush, but he is not experienced enough and I don’t agree with his idea of universal healthcare. John McCain has been working hard to fight special interests his entire career, and even though I usually vote for Democrats I know he is best qualified to lead America and our troops. He did not start this war, but he is the only one who can end it with a good outcome. Please vote for the person and not the party. I don’t like Republicans either, but I love John McCain.

It’s real easy to stop taking pill immediately if you make it to where you don’t have access, that’s a lesson any addict you talk to will agree with. The desire doesn’t go away over night, but you can stop taking them immediately.

As far as a grudge list… “friends” say she keeps one. Though I find it more likely that a friend would have said simply that she remembers what was done to her, which of course to anyone at cnn means the evil republican android has a grudge list.

oh and let’s not forget: poor me the potential first lady has had a better start in life than I did. Oh well that goes for probably every first lady this country has ever had. I can at least connect with her on one level, we both like beer.

I believe that Michelle Obama will make a good first lady

JB-

While it’s wonderful to have a First Lady who is active in a positive manner in the White House, I find it absolutely ridiculous that anyone would even consider basing their vote for president on that candidates spouse. What’s even worse, you’re actually judging Michelle Obama entirely on a single statement (which may very well have been misspoken, after all, she isn’t a professional politician). Permitting such insignificant events to so significantly influence your vote is not only foolish, but irresponsible. I suggest you cease getting caught up in the soap opera surrounding the candidates and actually vote the issues.

As for Michelle’s statement, I can’t say I entirely disagree with her, of course depending on what she views as her adult life. I’ve not been particularly proud of my country over at least the past decade, and we’ve been largely lacking in a number of moral areas I consider of great importance, even through the Clinton years. Your suggestion that a lack of pride equates to shame is simply uneducated. There’s a lot of gray area representing indifference that you neglect. In fact, I’d venture to say most American’s reside in that gray area most of the time. Otherwise, we’d have much high voter registration and turnout, to say the least.

Really now….. what does the ‘first lady’ have to do with anything? She (and all those before her, except for the Clinton machine) have been little more than figure heads. As someone coined a phrase - all hat, no cattle. Put on a pretty face, smile, stay quiet and give White House Tours and show off the Christmas tree decorations. Why would we expect any more? HUM???

In regards to Connie’s statement” Cindy McCain reminds me of a Barbie doll. Michelle Obama will make a much classier First Lady”.
I don’t want a first lady who is just now after 26 years of her adult life (after turning 18) now proud of her country. I have been proud of my country my entire adult life, and i am a legal Immigrant and proud citizen of the United States of America, and so is my wife who is also a legal immigrant been proud of this country since 1992 when she arrived.
Michelle Obama said what she said and there is no side stepping it. It is what it is.

How much influence will Cindy have behind the scene? Does anyone think that perhaps all of the family wealth Cindy has access to in anyway helped McCain stay in this race.

I am for Obama all the way, however if he is not the democratic frontrunner I will vote for McCain.

Just could not take Hillary in the Whitehouse. I think she is the only candidate in the race for self gain.

I have no problem with someone overcoming an addiction and staying clean, BUT since when can an addict just suddenly stop their addiction because their mother confronted them.?There must be more to the story…………

Who said “well bred”? What an archaic concept. Let’s not judge until we know her better.

Cindy WILL make a great 1st lady,,,,At least she has always be pround to be an American, not just for some special political event.

Look, I’m a dyed in the wool Blue Dog Democrat. I have no love for McCain. But guys, the candidates’ families should be off limits. Unless she is bringing an astrologer into the White House to influence policy or is in charge of health care reform, who she is, what she had done, and all the like are none of our business.

Now before anyone accuses me of being sexist, we already know about Senator Clinton’s husband, so there is no reason to drag any of that back up.

Instead of Cindy McCain, why don’t we discuss how John’s involuntary stay at the Hanoi Hilton may affect his judgment about sending troops into harms way?

Perfect?? In whose definition? Good for her that she isn’t so perfect as it will give her more character and a better sense of compassion in dealing with those of us imperfect humans. Only a republican would call another republican perfect–how come you never call a democrat perfect. Look to Michelle Obama for perfection also.

Be fair! If you are going to rake her over the coals for a problem from 20 years ago, then at least acknowledge her good works and philanthropy. She has given her time and money to help children from places like Bangladesh, but instead all you publish is the negative.

Cindy McCain has dedicated her life to improving the lives of those less fortunate in the US and around the world, e.g. teaching children with special needs, emergency medical missions overseas, overseeing such organizations as CARE, HALO, and Operation Smile, etc. None of is perfect but it is not beauty or wealth that defines us but how live our lives. I would be honored to have Mrs. McCain as our First Lady.

First lady Michelle Obama? People please don’t talk like biased. And height of heights when people compare her to Jackie Kennedy. Please know your limits.

What does it matter what she looks like or what kind of a first lady she will make? It irrelevant. Will her husband stop tax breaks to the wealthy, fix the health care system, stimulate the economy and be the least in-touch with the common American? Those are the real questions.

One and a half words:

NON-ISSUE.

Interesting, but irrelevant.

I don’t understand all the negativity here. First off, who cares if she is a Stepford wife. Since when does the First Spouse need to be anything other than a Stepford Wife? They’re not elected and have no responsibility in the White House beyond entertaining foreign dignitaries and spreading American good will.

As for Ms. Obama, she’s stuck her foot in her mouth more times than just the pride moment. How about encouraging the impoverished people of southern Ohio to remain in poverty and not go for the American dream? Yeah, easy to say when you earn $300k as a figurehead for a local hospital. What exactly does Ms. Obama do for a living?

She is a bit plasticky, but that takes nothing away from her. She does not seem to have adopted any cause like would-be 1st ladies do. She will probably be a little more presentable than Michelle Obama who shoots her mouth off and is not very classy.

I still say, B. Clinton makes the prettiest first spouse.

All I know about her is what little I have read so I will not pass judgment on her. She is very attractive (in a Stepford wife sort of way) and I feel sorry for her and John for the crap they had to take from Karl Rove and his band of thugs. I hope her grudge list includes Bush, Cheney, Delay and the rest of those creeps.

Likewise, I think Michelle Obama is also attrative and I feel sorry for her that everyone is blowing this comment about “being proud of my country for the first time in my adult life” out of proportion. If someone refuses to vote for a qualified candidate because of something a spouse did then that person doesn’t really deserve to vote at all. Pathetic.

Wait a second, Clinton. If the First Lady has no role in government, then when Hillary claims experience answering the phone at 3:00 a.m., you’re saying that it shouldn’t count? I’m shocked. Cindy could probably do just as good a job at picking up the phone, except it might mess up that perfect hair. Actually, when I answer the phone at 3:00 a.m., I am utterly incoherent.

A spouse is a good indication of the kind of person that the potential President will surround him/herself with in the White House. Given that caveat, it follows that McCain would choose people who look good - Obama would choose people who sound good - and Hillary would choose people who are smart but may not sound or look that great.

Cindy McCain does look like a Barbie doll, but John McCain is certainly not a KEN!!!! Were looking for the best President not the Best President’s wife. Get real people!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think either Michelle Obama or Cindy will do what they need to do in regard to the white house, the 1st lady dosen’t run the Country the President does.

All these anti-Cindy posts make me bewildered.

Yes, she comes from a privileged background. Isn’t that what we want for our children as well?

So what if she had an addiction to painkillers. She was in a car accident and grew dependent on them. We all like to pretend that we’re perfect and that our leaders must be perfect but we’re only asking to be deceived in the end. The McCains are great people and their family is great, too. Meghan is intelligent and bright and is a great reporter for her dad on the campaign trail. Jack and Jimmy are serving their country in the military. Just look at the whole of a person’s life.

There are far more important issues to be decided than whether or not Cindy McCain matters. Come on people, First Ladies are hardly any subject of discussion before any election has been held.

I think that all of the spouses of the running should be left out of the speaches. It seems in following this camgaign, that ,most of the problems are resulting from the actions and speaches of the spouse.
Untill we get something done about only the rich people being able to run for President we will never have a normal canditate or spouse. I DO vote but it is getting harder and harder to get myself to do so. Everyone is so false.

It’s true that the First Lady doesn’t have an official role in the government; however, they can be very influential in society and can be a tremendous voice and example for good. One can look at Eleanor Roosevelt for a classic example of this.

Additionally, I’m guessing that if you ask most married men, they would be lying if they said they didn’t talk to their wives about important decisions. In terms of personal decisions, ethically, morally, or whatever, most men go to their wives as their primary advisors. And of course it’s the same for wives who seek advice from their husbands. In pretty much any couple that has been married for a significant amount of time, to look at one person is to look at a reflection of the other. Part of who you are is because of your spouse.

I respect John McCain (though I disagree with his stance on the war and thus can’t vote for him), and I have nothing against Cindy McCain, although I agree with those who feel she looks a bit stiff and cosmetic.

But I think it’s unfair to claim that Michelle Obama said she was always ashamed of America until now. I can’t blame the person who posted it that way, because from the way the story was reported, it did sound like that was what Mrs. Obama had said.

But if you’d heard the entire talk she was giving that day and knew its context, it was clear that she was referring NOT to America in general but to a specific aspect of American politics: She was saying that in her entire adult life, there has been nothing but partisan politics, a politics of divisiveness, which is what has often kept us from moving forward in the best interests of our country. Her point was that the fact that Barack was being embraced by so many voters from the Republican, Democrat, and Independent parties has signalled that we’re growing up as a country and are willing to vote for causes and beliefs rather than just for our own party. It was clear that was all she meant.

To the blogger that stated “”at least she’s always been proud of the USA” …
It’s easy to be proud when your family is worth $100M+. It’s not so easy being a part of a minority group. It is that reality disconnect that is at the root of why people in this country cannot get along and cannot work together to solve problems.

Leave her alone. She is a beautiful woman and her HUSBAND is running for office, not her. As a young black gay man, I would much rather look at Cindy, not Michele. Let’s stick to the issues, Cindy’s past drug abuse problem has nothing to do with the direction of this country…..

Cindy would not be getting called a “barbie doll” if she dyed her hair brown. Grow up, people.

Yes, some drugs you can be addicted to, especially pain killers, and be able to stop immediately. It depends on if the addiction is physical or psychological. That said, it is never a good idea to stop taking ANYthing you have taken for four years suddenly. Not that it was any of our business anyway.

I applaud the McCains for keeping their children away from the campaign. They will be thrust under the spotlight more than any child should, soon enough, if he wins. Let them remain innocent children as long as they can.

I think she looks nice, is always well dressed and well spoken in public, and presents the kind of figure that other countries’ diplomats will respect in a First Lady. She (so far) hasn’t been one to make rash comments without thinking, either.

Clinton,

Actually, I don’t think you truly understand the role of First Lady. Traditionally she is the humanitarian part of the team (yes, they’re married and so a team) and most FLs take up some sort of cause to champion: illiteracy, drug abuse, health care. Remember when Hillary was First Lady? You can’t say she had no role in the government OR that she was there to smile and look good.

I think it is valid to scrutinize who will be our next First Lady–her qualifications and potential, not her apperance or demeanor. That’s just childish and frankly a little sexist. Besides, this is the person our President is going to confide in and sleep next to. You can’t tell me he/she won’t have an effect on our government!

another Jackie O??? are you serious??

How dare anyone compare either of these 2 would-be 1st Ladies to Jackie — there is absolutely no comparision. I cringe everytime I hear that Michelle or Cindy are liken to her.. puleeze. They don’t carry a flame to her… and noone ever will.. Diana and Mother Teresa, maybe.

just read the comment that McCain’s wife is the “original plastic, always gazing lovingly up at hubby, political robot wife” - so what does Hilary look like as she smiles up at her three-timing husband in her phony marriage? Or Michelle’s “change and hope” belief (that they’ve failed to explain the specifics of such) in her inexperienced husband. Educate yourself and understand the candidate’s qualifications.

TO CONNIE:

Except Michelle Obama will not be first lady.

She’ll do fine. Get off her back and get back to the issue’s of concern to the nation.

Well, I am sure that Anderson cooper and his CNN buddies would love to find something on Cindy.
Your are getting desperate 360, I didn’t expect you to start so soon.

John McCain will be our president

Regardless if she is a Stepford Wife, is she health and happy? Does she have to worry about health insurance, $3.00-gal. gas, White House foreclosure, food, utilities, etc.? I hope John and Cindy tell their friend, John Hagee, to pray for those poor people in Louisiana.

Cindy McCain would make a wonderful First Lady! As far as the pain pills go - who cares??? We all have had ups and downs - we are human!

Have we not forgot that just a few years back we had a President in the White House that was cheating on his wife and being untruthful to the American people???

No one is perfect -

I have much compassion for this woman though - I am sure with Johns past POW experience that every day is not a day at Disneyland in their home. Takes extreme strength for both of them to be here today.

I would be proud to have Cindy as our First Lady along with John as our President.

Good people admit their mistakes, not deny them and use public funds and resources to cover them up… hmmm, what was his name??? Bill somthing……

John was married when he met Cindy.

A month after the divorce, they were married.

Anderson Cooper calls it “instant chemistry.”

I call it “an extra-marital affair.”

More family values from the Republican party.

I don’t care one way or another about the wives, I vote for the candidates and their positions. Not their spouses.

***TERRY***

You might want to check your resources before you start questioning Michelle’s capabilities and experience.. But to help you out, Michelle earned her law degree from Harvard Law School in 1988. Mind you, that’s after she graduated from Princeton University. For three years after law school, Michelle worked as an associate in the area of marketing and intellectual property at Chicago law firm Sidley and Austin. She left the corporate law world in 1991 to pursue a career in public service, serving as an assistant to the mayor and then as the assistant commissioner of planning and development for the City of Chicago.

We understand that she made some statements that I’m sure she regrets. However, since when was anyone perfect? Prime example, our current President and Cindy McCain.. Read those examples above. She can run circles around Cindy McCain. How about we let Michelle & Cindy debate? Of course that will never happen, because Michelle would blow her out the water.

Hurray for John and Cindy, this article has given them dimension and too bad if America can’t stand it when beautiful women have money, looks and class as well as intellegence. I hope her husband gets elected!

Michelle Obama is obviously also a successful women why else would Borak be married to her..successful women help create successful men.

Wake up America and get off the couch from watching “The Ellen Show”.

Nothing against Cindy — she’s human just like the rest of us…but my choice for president is not influenced by how good the spouse looks in a pastel suit, gazing at her husband. Gimme a 1st spouse who has an opinion or two, and isn’t shy about voicing them.

I’ll stick with the Dems, thank you.

That’s exactly what we need - yet another preppy couple in the White House…

Nobody is perfect. I’m sure that everyone that has posted has some problems from their past that they wouldn’t like the nation to know about. She owned up to her problem and its over now. Let’s focus on the issues - the spouse of a candidate is not one of them.

Who winds her up?

Cindy is awesome! Always looks great.

This is such a non-issue. Cindy McCain is total class act. I personally, am a McCain supporting democrat….I have nothing against Michelle Obama, or Bill Clinton..or Cindy McCain….as well, just because someone is well put together, and is attractive, polite, and diplomatic makes them plastic? Well - that is obviously a comment made from those less fortunate.

Signed, someone who takes care of themselves and dresses well.

How hateful most of these comments are. Apparently the people making these hateful comments drastically need an ambush make over. Cindy McCain is Stunningly Beautiful and she is playing her cards right and staying quite and just waiting for the right moment. Great Job Cindy McCain keep em guessing, you know how to work it!

people who call her a barbie, or a dumb blonde are just jealous of her poise and beauty… the people saying these things are probably fat and ugly!

I think Cindy McCain is all that a First Lady should be, classy, pleasant and respectful. Michelle Obama almost always has an unpleasant look on her face, like she’s angry.

I think she is stiff - her hair looks pasted on as does her face. I don’t particularly find anything redeeming or attractive.

I agree with Connie. Enough with the dyed blondes. Lets get someone genuine enough to be who they are, all of it, right down to their hair.

Can you say Stepford Wife? Seriously, this woman seems made out of play-dough.

uhm! What an irrelevant question at a time when important things are going on. I don’t think this is important to discuss. Case closed.

Leave her alone, already — she’s the perfect “trophy wife.”

Marc: Thanks! I thought it was just me. What’s up with the eyes? And has anyone ever heard her speak? Other than to slam Michelle Obama?

People bemoan the dirty politics of 2000. Where did it come from? Oh yeah, from the campaign team of GWB.

She might run for president in 2016

Of course, Cindy McCain is not perfect. Who is? I think she would make a great First Lady when Senator McCain is President!!!

Lets get real people. Don’t judge by appearances. That is what is wrong with this society.

She is a class act and I would be proud to see her in the White House. Don’t compare her to Michelle Obama. They are two different women.

Come on… Stepford Wife? That going a bit far.

What’s wrong with looking and acting classy? Jackie Kennedy had the same type of tempermant. The woman knows how to dress and for her AGE! Kudos to Michelle Obama, she has a fierce style as well. I think Hilary should switch-it-up now&then and put on a skirt.

Don’t hate…Congratulate!

peace

Stepford wife……. plain and simple. She’s chairman of the board of her daddy’s company. If anyone knows about chairman of the boards, they dont take much thought to say yea or nea. To bad she wont get to live in the whitehouse.

I can deal with any first “Lady”. But a first “Man” i would have a little problem with…………….

she’s not going to be first lady so why are we talking about this?

I have to say that to me Mrs. McCain seems like a barbie doll representation for women. But I respect what every spouse goes through for their loved one running for president so maybe I’m being to quick to judge. I don’t necessarily feel she’d be my first choice for first lady but compared to a Michelle Obama I’d be happy to have her. It is true though that dirty politics has got to stop but we as the people have to not respond to it in order to get it to stop!

“I pray I am as beautiful and classy in 30 years!”

Megan, stop praying and start getting plastic sugery. Then you’ll look like Cindy in 30 years.

I have been doing some online research on John and CIndy McCain. Someone on the blog questioned where are the children from his first wife. One of them works as VP of Cindy McCain’s family business. Personally, I think that says an awful lot of what his children think of Cindy and vice-versa.

Of course, Cindy McCain is not perfect. Who is? I think she would make a great First Lady when Senator McCain is President!!! And on the other hand, anyone would be better than Bill or Mrs. Obama.

I’d like to start by stating that anyone concerned with the past addiction to prescription pills that Cindy McCain has overcome should take a closer look at the past drug usage of the people actually running for the position to lead this country. Obama has admittedly smoked marijuana and has snorted cocaine (reference the A&E biography on Obama for the non-believers).

Secondly, I believe that it is very shallow for anyone to judge the effectiveness of a first lady based on appearance.

I have to agree with some other people that made a comment. She really does look like Barbie. As a matter of fact that’s exactly how I described her to my wife about a week ago.. I have noticed that she never makes any facial movements. I also think we don’t need another former teacher as a first lady. Laura was bad enough to last for a lifetime. Does she ever smile? I’m going to go out of my way to try and find any clips of her speaking, in any venue. Just think of it if she does become the first lady. We as a nation will hear more dumb-blond jokes than ever before.I will say though that the pill abuse thing really is a nonstory. OK so it happened, she dealt with it , and has moved on. I guess we could say the same thing about former smokers - big deal!

Honestly she seems like an uptight woman who has never had an ounce of real conflict in her life and would never be able to emphasize with most Americans.
Of course, she isn’t running for President, so that doesn’t really matter. What matters more to me is that her husband is a crazy old man that thinks Bush’s policies are the best thing ever.

For those of you concerned about McCain’s kids not being in the campaign picture, one is at the Naval Academy and one is serving in Iraq. This is what John McCain means when he thanks his sons “who could not be there tonight.” He is a class act and chooses not to rub his sons’ service in everyone’s faces, just as he chooses not to do so with respect to his own service (i.e., his comment that he missed Woodstock because he was “otherwise detained”).

Personally I am glad to elect a pres that has a stepford wife who only stands behind him. I don’t want another Bill Clinton’s first lady whose wife thought she had been elected. What was her name again? Oh that’s right, it was Hilary…now she is running around saying she is the best equipped for the job of president because of her time as first lady…she can hit the floor running, she knows the job, she knows how the white house works. None of the policy’s she tried to ram down Americans throats when she was first lady went anywhere, in fact people were pretty outraged by her attempts. Clearly that isn’t what Americans want in a first lady. Laura Bush’s approval rating is among the most positive ever recorded for a first lady. A classy, attractive, eloquent woman who is happy to stay in the background. Sounds like Cindy McCain too.

Most of the comments I’ve been reading mention how these people LOOK. Oh, I’m sorry, I thought this was a Presidential election we had coming up….I guess it’s a beauty pageant. How can you judge these people on their looks and say they will do a great job or “class up the white house?” It’s about what they stand for, their experience, and their ideas to help run this country. What ideas does Mr. Obama have? “Change” is not a concrete idea or goal. What it is is very vague and open ended. My first thought is “Ok, how?”

It is regrettable that a candidate’s family has to be put under the microscope in a campaign in order to get negative information. That Mrs. McCain developed an addiction to painkillers when taking them to relieve genuine pain is played out as if she was a junkie.She deserves sympathy rather than snide condemnation. Leave the lady alone and concentrate on the candidate hmself. And that’s from an Obama supporter!!

I am an Obama supporter, but this catty criticism of Mrs. McCain is really “mean girls” stuff. Yes, Mrs. McCain is rich and has a ‘packaged’ look, but that is no reason to disqualify her as first lady. I’m lower middle class but it would be nice to be rich one day. Does that mean that if that happens my kids will be hated because they have money? I think all of us have done some things that we wish we could erase. I also think it’s nice that the McCain’s have been generous enough to open their home to an adopted child, especially one of color. I’m not going to vote for them, but give these people (particularly this woman) a break. She didn’t kill anyone, and you don’t have to be homely or a saint to be a president’s wife. And enough on the Michelle Obama gaff. She messed up. She meant to say something like she was finally proud of the political process (i.e., political fairness) in this country, not that she hadn’t been proud of the country as a whole until recently. It would be virtually impossible for someone with Mrs. Obama’s history to not be very grateful to be an American. Particularly, there isn’t any better country to be black in than this one (IMHO).

I’m not a McCain supporter but I LOVE that his wife has a “grudge list”!!! That’s human if I don’t know what is

What a tremendous asset Cindy McCain would be as First Lady of the USA….she is graceful, elegant, intelligence, witty….I am sure John is extremely proud that she is by his side…..and vice versa

I am for Hillary but if she does not get the nomination I will vote McCain…..however, if she wins the nomination and chooses Obama as a running vp…..she would loose my vote as both Obama and his wife are arrogant and two of the most unpatriotic people i have seen running for office.

McCain has the ability to restore our image overseas by being diplomatic while still showing that America is a great STRONG and PROUD nation…..

If we are having wish lists for First Ladies, Ann Romney would be at or near the top. Also, Elizabeth Edwards. I hope she beats her cancer. If Bill Clinton hadn’t already had his time in the White House, I think it would be new and different to have a First Gent or First Laddie (Laddy?) or whatever that position may be called.

Apparently “qualifications of the First lady” seem to play a huge part in Hillary’s eyes. She claims to have “so much exeperience” as what? Being the first lady and a negotiator for her husband. By the way, when did this take place? I wasn’t aware that the 1st lady could negotiate anything!

Cindy McCain strikes me as someone who likes being in the limelight and doesn’t have much to say about anything. I feel she needs to have some voice and not stand so close to her husband while being mute.

At least Michelle Obama speaks out about what is passionate to her and what she believes in. She supports her husband by being by his side and speaking out to the voters, in an intelligent manner.

Mr McCain wants to keep the war going… for how long? We have already suffered enough deaths and our own econonmy has suffered enough. It’s time to put the focus back on America to get us back on our feet and to replenish what we have lost.

Sometimes I feel like I’m back in elementary school when I hear these “guess what Obama did” statements from the Clinton campaign. It’s time to grow up and focus on the issues that the voters what to desperate hear solutions for.

Not electing a queen… John McCain is running and not Cindy McCain. This is a democracy, and in my opinion, candidates spouses should be considered just that… here in the US, it is illegal to ask about the candidate’s family when they apply for a job!

Has no one ever misspoke before? My aren’t we all perfect. And what Michelle Obama actually said was “For the first time I am -really- proud…” if you want to get technical about it. I highly doubt she has never been proud of her country until now. If you truly think that, then that is more a comment about you then her.

And being a Canadian, from my perspective, the United States could use a breath of fresh air. The world is so tired of George Bush and his policies. The world will view McCain as a continuation of Bush, nothing more. The world needs inspiration right now, not more fear-mongering.

This is a relevant topic. The First Lady can play an important role - beyond just tea parties and looking cute. Hillary Clinton is the prime example. She met with foreign diplomats and was a key advisor to the President among other things. Discounting the importance of the role dismisses the value these women (and maybe man) can add.

Personally, I want a First Lady who will speak to the issues that concern me. The fact that Michelle Obama was (until very recently) a working mom, dealing with the pressure of trying to balance her work life and family life with a limited budget and limited time makes me think she is in touch with the reality many American women face. The fact that she would bring these concerns to the White House makes Senator Obama an even more appealing candidate. Mrs. Obama has also shown that she is highly intelligent and articulate, which makes me think she will be an excellent advisor to her husband.

Unfortunately, Cindy McCain has in no way demonstrated what value she will add to a McCain presidency (other than always looking lovely), which makes Senator McCain a less appealing candidate to me.

Cindy McCain is not a Stepford Wife; she has a college education and a level head on her shoulders. Heaven forbid for Democrats that a First Lady be attractive…

Perhaps “I could not be more proud of my country right about now” would have been a better statement by Michelle Obama, and I honestly believe this is really want she meant. To hold this mis-spoken statement against her, I believe is unfair. Gosh, we are all human beings, and I am pretty sure that at some time in our lives we have mis-spoken or what we meant to say just comes out wrong. Let’s let go of it and move on.

I don’t think what we think of her is half as important as how we think her husband will run the country, if he’s elected. Isn’t that what is important?

I believe McCain’s wife is attractive, however enough with the political elements of the rich and famous, who for the most part have no idea whats happening in the real world. We have ordinary (non-rich) individuals in this country that finally need to be heard. The movement involving the multitude of voters proves that. McCain seeks a notch and he will then retire, after continuing the destructive program of Bush. Yes, we need massive changes for the people, regardless of who becomes President. We all need to be proud Americans and stand for whats right, whether its the first time or otherwise. Enough of the obvious negative segmented rhetoric - that’s what America is tired of.

John McCain fits the mold of a “typical” American President - White, accomplished, leader, porcelain wife etc. Current events and polls show that he will have a tough contest because of the widespread discontent about his party and the current administration. In an election year where any “typical” American white President would most probably win, provided he is a DEMOCRAT, the party has given the people two unlikely candidates who are both accomplished, leaders, visionaries and above all represent change and reform to our great yet flawed system of politics. A woman and a Minority will change the way the world views the US.

The Democratic party plays politics after listening to the people of the country. The Republican party plays politics to win. While winning is what made the US a global power, we need to do what is best for the country and the people of this country and a 100 years of occupation is not the answer.

Two points:

I am much less worried about McCain’s second wife than I am about Hillary’s first husband. Maybe Putin isn”t the only one who has figured out how to overcome Presidential Term Limits.

I am a Democrat. In the 2000 election run-up, I was sickened by what the Republican attack dogs and the media bottom feeders did to McCain.

Cindy McCain is just like the rest of us. No one is perfect. How she chooses to live her life is her business. Some of the comments on this blog post are very disrespectful and I for one like Nancy Reagan and Laura Bush. Just because someone doesn’t shout out in a deafening pitch their views doesn’t make them a so called Stepford wife. We can all tone it down a bit. Thank You.

You wrote in your blog “Sexism is less offensive than racism”, “Hillary Clinton’s hairdos, ankles and even her cleavage have sparked discussion…”

You wrote in your blog “Can Cindy McCain really be that perfect?”, “She’s always dressed in a killer suit and never has a hair out of place.”

Randi, why have you “sparked discussion” about Cindy’s physical appearance? Aren’t you perpetuating the same sexist standards you decried just last week?

Cindy McCain is probably a nice person,but she acts like she is perfect,my first thought when I saw her she is a Barbie,Now people will say,you are judging,think what ever you want

I agree with Connie, Michelle will make a much classier First Lady then Cindy. She stands up for what she believes in, instead of staring at her husband. Cindy looks as if she doesn’t have a mind of her own.

We keep criticizing Michelle About her comment, which people assume that she is not proud to be an American…till now. Quite frankly, I as an American, am not proud of our country that at one time supporting slavery, I am not proud to say we looked at Black Americans not as a whole person, I am not proud of the way we, Americans displaced the Chinese by sending them to California, and today, I am not proud how if you don’t reach a certain income level you are not fit to live a decent life. I can keep going but, if you are proud of those things then I really do question the fate of America.

Cindy sounds like a fine example. If the most ill that someone can find is that there were drug problems. Wake up, and welcome to America. Who has never had, or even does not have some unhealthy addiction to pills. Raise your hands. Yep, thats what I thought. America at its finest.

McSame…

It would be all fine and good if the McSame’s were really nice people. However, as it has been widely reported, these two are most mean spirited and vindictive people - after the Clinton’s of course - around.

Hey, how about we run this election on issues instead of NON ISSUES? Spouses do not run the country, the President attempts to. There is no way for any spouse to be perfect to all…same as the Prez!

I also have to wonder why