Vote now in first first-lady primary
L ike all great ideas, Dennis Kucinich's inspiration makes you wonder why nobody ever thought of it before now.
Early in November, during one of the Democratic presidential debates -- events that could use some inspiration, or occasionally even some respiration -- the Cleveland congressman and White House hopeful addressed his domestic policy.
"As a bachelor, I get a chance to fantasize about my first lady," declared the twice-divorced Kucinich.
"Maybe Fox would like to sponsor a national contest or something . . . I would certainly want a dynamic, outspoken woman who was fearless in her desire for peace in the world, for universal single-payer health care and for a full-employment economy."
And who wouldn't?
Not for Kucinich any of those paltering wishes about long walks in front of fireplaces, tendency to cry at movies, fondness for small furry animals, or insincerity being a turn-off. Like most lovers, his first thoughts are of prescription drug co-pays.
After all, he's running for president.
Swept away by the passions of the moment -- possibly the first time that phrase has been used in connection with the Democratic presidential debates -- Kucinich finished, "If you're out there, call me!"
And -- in numbers that seem to refute the debates' slim Neilsen ratings -- hopefuls have.
The politically-minded matchmakers at www.politicsnh.com have compiled a list of 80 self-declared candidates to become Dennis Kucinich's first lady. The list includes their statements of eligibility, in some cases photos, and in all cases the number of electoral votes in the candidate's state.
A presidential candidate has to know these things.
Again swept away by his passions -- or maybe by the appeal of a new, 80-member voting bloc -- Kucinich has agreed to have one of the candidates flown to New Hampshire for dinner. This won't even be a fund-raising dinner -- although there have to be New Hampshire voters who'd pay to see it -- but supper for two at a vegetarian-friendly restaurant, where Kucinich and his potential running mate could discuss their positions on single-payer health care, and maybe even on small furry animals.
The candidate list is dazzling, including the head sound effects librarian at Paramount studios, a minister from Connecticut who says she's Howard Dean's first cousin, and Ruth from Friday Harbor, Wash., who declares, "If the Secret Service detail comes with a housekeeper, Dennis, I'm all yours!"
Ruth may quickly develop her own constituency.
That is, in part, the point: www.politicsnh.com is conducting a weekly primary to choose the finalists. So far, voters are being hard-headed about their choice: The winner of the first week's primary was June from North Carolina (15 electoral votes), a former director of communications for the North Carolina Democratic Party.
To those fearing that a New Hampshire political web site may be a crass place to find love, the search is being run jointly with the matchmaker site Liberalhearts.com, which proudly declares its support of Amnesty International, Greenpeace and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
I knew small furry animals came into this somewhere.
But certainly, Kucinich is onto something here. First, he clearly needs a first lady: The only bachelor president was James Buchanan, during whose term the Civil War started -- although, in fairness, probably not because he wasn't married.
And as a bachelor, Kucinich might as well seize the chance: He's not the first candidate to find the campaign trail a great place to meet women.
But more important, in a presidential selection process which now submits everything to voters, it's past time to have them voting on their choice for first lady. The job is now important to a degree that Nettie Grant, or even Bess Truman, could never have imagined. Generally, the first lady is more prominent than the vice president -- especially when the vice president is mostly in a secure and undisclosed location -- and after the administration ends, the first lady goes to the U.S. Senate.
You can see why voters now seek a voice in the filling the job. His position as the only candidate responding to this demand could produce a wave of primary support for Dennis Kucinich.
And for Ruth from Friday Harbor.
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