Of the two couples, my husband and I are definitely more Carville-Mattlin than Ronnie and Nancy. We are at opposite ends of the political spectrum.
For the last decade, my husband has reveled in going to the local caucus meetings and attending the state and county Republican conventions as a delegate. I would also attend the Republican caucuses because I am registered a Republican.
When I was 18 and it was time to register and formally declare my political affiliation, I chose the path of my Republican mom and dad, even though I was pretty liberal, getting into terrible arguments with my dad over the dinner table. Civil Rights, the Vietnam war, bra burning and other topics put us at odds. But I always felt free and unafraid to give my opinion, just couldn't be independent enough to register my true values.
Somewhere along the way, I lost that courage and as I lost my voice the political sides became more and more polarized. I stayed quiet. With the advent of conservative talk- radio, Don grew more vocal as he listened to Rush, Michael, Gordon, Shawn and all the rest of them, railing non-stop over the car radio. Their diatribes were on, full blast, whenever we were together in the car and over time, instead of converting me, it brought out my deep seated liberal sentiments.
So the other night, Don asked me if I would come to the caucus meeting to vote for him.
I thought of all the political wives, who stand on the podium, as their husbands take oaths. How many of them are actually simpatico with their husbands politic stands? How many of them are just up there, supporting their husband in his career, much as another wife might iron her husbands shirts or attend the office party.
I answered, "I don't even agree with the party platform and I certainly don't want to enter the pit on the night they announce the Health Care victory. No."
"But I need your vote! Come on, won't you come to vote for me?"
Thus began my dilemma. How far should a wife go to stand by her man?
The caucus and winning the delegate's seat is something very important to Don. Your spouse should be able to count on you to support them is such pursuits, right? Even when the stands being promoted go against your core?
I went. I voted for Don and I vowed to change my Voter Registration to Democrat.
When I was 18 and it was time to register and formally declare my political affiliation, I chose the path of my Republican mom and dad, even though I was pretty liberal, getting into terrible arguments with my dad over the dinner table. Civil Rights, the Vietnam war, bra burning and other topics put us at odds. But I always felt free and unafraid to give my opinion, just couldn't be independent enough to register my true values.
Somewhere along the way, I lost that courage and as I lost my voice the political sides became more and more polarized. I stayed quiet. With the advent of conservative talk- radio, Don grew more vocal as he listened to Rush, Michael, Gordon, Shawn and all the rest of them, railing non-stop over the car radio. Their diatribes were on, full blast, whenever we were together in the car and over time, instead of converting me, it brought out my deep seated liberal sentiments.
So the other night, Don asked me if I would come to the caucus meeting to vote for him.
I thought of all the political wives, who stand on the podium, as their husbands take oaths. How many of them are actually simpatico with their husbands politic stands? How many of them are just up there, supporting their husband in his career, much as another wife might iron her husbands shirts or attend the office party.
I answered, "I don't even agree with the party platform and I certainly don't want to enter the pit on the night they announce the Health Care victory. No."
"But I need your vote! Come on, won't you come to vote for me?"
Thus began my dilemma. How far should a wife go to stand by her man?
The caucus and winning the delegate's seat is something very important to Don. Your spouse should be able to count on you to support them is such pursuits, right? Even when the stands being promoted go against your core?
I went. I voted for Don and I vowed to change my Voter Registration to Democrat.
2 comments:
What do you suppose Nancy was really thinking?
Cathy, I'm glad that you're a "stand by your man" kind of woman. Kate and I are kind of like you and Don. Both registered Republicans. I voted Obama. She didn't. I tease her when a Republican is caught with a whore. She razzes me when the Democrat is caught having "tickle fights" with male staffers. It all evens itself out.
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