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. Here are some examples, including which 2008 presidential candidates have been married the longest, are still in their first marriage, and more:

• 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.

• Ron Paul (GOP) was married in 1957 making him the longest married 2008 presidential candidate.

• Dennis Kucinich (DEM) was married in 2005 making him the shortest married 2008 presidential candidate.

• Rudy Giuliani (GOP) and Dennis Kucinich (DEM) have both been married three times making them the presidential candidates with the most number of marriages.

• There is a difference of 31 years between Dennis and Elizabeth Kucinich making them the couple with the biggest age gap among 2007 presidential candidates.

• The following 2008 presidential candidates are still in their first marriage:
       Hillary Clinton (DEM)
       John Edwards (DEM)
       Mike Huckabee (GOP)
       Barack Obama (DEM)
       Ron Paul (GOP)
       Bill Richardson (DEM)
       Mitt Romney (GOP)

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

Related:
     More Political Marriages
     Presidential Marriages
     Compare Presidential Candidates on Infidelity Views
     Compare Presidential Candidates on Faith
     2008 Election Central