 |
||||
  |
[Home] |
|
FIRST LADIES HAVE LONG BEEN A WHITE HOUSE FORCE | |
  |
|
From: Media Relations November 8, 2000HARRISONBURG, Va. – Upon inauguration, the president of the United States swears to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, but what does his wife, the first lady, promise? The U.S. Constitution is silent on the role of the spouse of the president since she (and perhaps one day, he) is not elected to the post. Now, for the first time, a first lady has been elected to the U.S. Senate. "We look at the modern first ladies and we know that there has been an increase in professionalism and integration with the White House office and more overt political influence," said Anthony J. Eksterowicz, a professor of political science at James Madison University, "but it could very well be that the early first ladies had just as much political influence as modern first ladies – only they were using different techniques to achieve that kind of political influence in different times." Martha Washington began forging the office through her actions and fashioned three enduring roles associated with the office: public figure, social hostess and presidential confidante. Dolley Madison played the role of social hostess to the fullest, becoming arguably the greatest hostess ever to preside over the White House. Dolley frequently blended social affairs with the craft of politics by timing events, arranging seating and personally charming guests so as to advance President James Madison's policies and political standing. "Because it is not a defined office," said Eksterowicz, "it is ripe for being defined by the personalities who inhabit the office." Eksterowicz points to Hillary Rodham Clinton, who has headed presidential task forces; Rosalynn Carter, who presided over mental-health reform during her husband's administration; and Eleanor Roosevelt, who briefly served as head of the Office of Civil Defense, as examples of activist first ladies. He believes Mrs. Clinton's decision to run for election to the U.S. Senate was a logical step from her highly involved role as first lady. "She worked closely with the president, but she also had an agenda on children's issues, on women's rights issues, separately from the president even before she met the president," Eksterowicz said. Eksterowicz examined the changing role of the nation's first lady in recent publications, including "The Evolution of the Role and Office of the First Lady: The Movement Toward Integration with the White House Office," in The Social Science Journal (with Kristen Paynter). He is currently working on "Report to the First Lady on the Office of the First Lady of the United States," which will be delivered at the Mount Vernon Ladies Association Conference on First Ladies in February and given to the incoming first lady. He and Robert P. Watson of the University of Hawaii at Hilo recently signed a book contract with the University of South Carolina Press to edit The Presidential Companion: Readings on the First Ladies, which is targeted for publication in fall 2001 as a supplement to college government and presidency textbooks. # # #Dr. Tony Eksterowicz may be contacted by phone at (540)568-3770 (office) or (540)949-6185 (home), or by e-mail at eksteraj@jmu.edu. Written by: Janet L. Smith, Media Relations |
 
|
 |
||
|
Publisher: Media Relations For Information Contact: JMU News Bureau |
|||