Presidential Candidates and Their Marriages

Frank Luntz, a political consultant, is quoted by the NY Times as saying: “The spouse of the candidate matters in less than 1 out of 100 votes. It’s not relevant. It will have no impact whatsoever.”

We disagree. Historically, interest in presidential marriages has been high and continues. Some examples:

• Mary Todd Lincoln's moods and spending was reported in the newspapers of the day.

• Andrew Jackson believed that the media slandered his wife Rachel and that she died of grief and humiliation.

• Many reporters believed that during Woodrow Wilson's final illness, his wife Edith covered up his physical and mental condition.

Poll:
Could the spouse of a presidential candidate influence how you vote? Vote!

2008 Presidential Candidates' Marriage Profiles (listed alphabetically):
Bill and Hillary Clinton
Elizabeth and John Edwards
Judith and Rudy Giuliani
Janet and Mike Huckabee
Elizabeth and Dennis Kucinich
Cindy and John McCain
Michelle and Barack Obama
Carol and Ron Paul
Barbara and Bill Richardson
Ann and Mitt Romney Marriage Profile
Jeri and Fred Thompson

Related: More Political Marriages | Presidential Marriages | Compare Presidential Candidates on Faith