# Disrespectful to the First Lady - Elect? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 10, 2008, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098 "2008-11-10T20:38:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098/41 "2008-11-11T02:30:15Z")
I find it interesting that people have a different perspective of what’s young and what’s attractive when it comes to politicians compared to…everyone else, not just celebrities. I know better looking women that Mrs. Obama and Palin in real life, yet people crow over how hot they are. Definitely a different metric being used. Anyway, **meanoldman,** long as you’re not stalking the Obamas, I don’t think there’s anything inherently disrespectful to either of them to find one or the other attractive. You aren’t going to e-mail them lascivious letters letting them know your carnal feelings, right? ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098/42 "2008-11-11T02:57:50Z")
> [@Jodi](#): > > Laura needs better foundation garments. Translation: She needs a better bra, one that hikes the First Ladies up about 2 to 3 inches on her rib cage. She also should stop choosing her dresses from Vern Yoder’s House of Amish Schoolmarm Dresses Made Of Hemp. As soon as she gets out of the White House, first stop is the Nordstrom bra lady… (Can you image bra shopping with a Secret Service detail?) ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098/43 "2008-11-11T02:59:10Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > I know better looking women that Mrs. Obama and Palin in real life, yet people crow over how hot they are. Definitely a different metric being used. Ayup. They’re not bad for politicians, but that’s about all I can say for them. > [@elfkin477](#): > > You aren’t going to e-mail them lascivious letters letting them know your carnal feelings, right? _sound of dozens of Dopers hastily deleting first drafts_ ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098/44 "2008-11-11T03:25:13Z")
> [@meanoldman](#): > > This could end up either in GD or here in IMHO. I’ll let the mods choose. > > Picture today of the current president and first lady standing next to the president elect and first lady elect. > > My first thoughts were; " Ms. Obama looks nice." Ok, well, actually, I was less polite than that. It was more like… "Whoa, she’s really HAWT! " I then reminded myself that she _is_ the first lady elect, so I should be more respectful. I should be respectful even if she were not the first lady elect…but one’s baser instincts occasionally surface. > > How disrespectful is it to the first lady to express thoughts of a, um,er carnal nature? Is it then also disrespectful to the president[-elect]? You’re allowed to _think_ what evr the hell you want. It’s how you act outwardly is what counts as respectful or disrespectful. Seriously, NOBODY has the right to be the thought police. ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098/45 "2008-11-11T03:38:38Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > [Seriously.](http://farm1.static.flickr.com/151/400394507_a374d29cd5.jpg) I’d conduct international relations with that leader. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098/46 "2008-11-11T04:49:17Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Laura Bush is the dowdiest FL since Bess Truman. LOOK at that brown “dress” she’s wearing–straight out of Leave it to Beaver! Don’t be so quick to judge Laura. She was apparently under the impression that it’s only polite to choose a dress that matches her guests’ complexion. She was wrong. How can a hue that looks so fine when it’s someone’s _skin_ color look so damn ugly when it’s someone’s _dress_ color? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098/47 "2008-11-11T05:05:10Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > For some reason, the term “First Lady-elect” bothers me, since she is not really elected. I don’t know that there’s a better one (First Lady Designate? Presumptive First Lady ?) but none sit well with me. > > First Lady to-be, maybe. A bit of a hijack, but the whole idea of a “First Lady” bothers me for much the same reason. No one elects Presidential spouses, and so they should not enjoy any special status - even a purely honorary one, bestowed by the public at large and not by governmental action. Properly speaking, we should call her only “Mrs. Obama” or “Ms. Obama”, and leave it at that - and react with befuddlement at the idea of a Presidential spouse enjoying any role in the policy process. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098/48 "2008-11-11T05:30:22Z")
The Obamas will look just fine when they meet [Michaëlle Jean](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micha%C3%ABlle_Jean). > [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > No one elects Presidential spouses, and so they should not enjoy any special status - even a purely honorary one, bestowed by the public at large and not by governmental action. Properly speaking, we should call her only “Mrs. Obama” or “Ms. Obama”, and leave it at that… Not a bad idea. I wonder whether it’s too late for that by now, though. And what will the _husband_ of a President be called? “First Lord” doesn’t seem right somehow. “Hubby #1”? > [@Marley23](#): > > Bush is 6’ even, so if Michelle is in heels she’s probably got an edge on him. Your source for presidential candidate heights. Your link describes Abraham Lincoln as a 'Presidential Anomaly". 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jellyblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@jellyblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jellyblue)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098/49 "2008-11-11T05:51:20Z")
Rosalyn Carter. And you left out Nancy Reagan, but I can’t blame you, heh. > [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > So let’s review in our minds’ eyes the first ladies since ol’ Bessie: > > Laura Bush > Hillary Clinton > Barbara Bush > Mrs. Carter (what the hell was her name?) > Betty Ford > Pat Nixon > Lady Bird Johnson > Jackie Kennedy > Mamie Eisenhower > > Roddy ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098/50 "2008-11-11T06:13:48Z")
> [@jellyblue](#): > > Rosalyn Carter. And you left out Nancy Reagan, but I can’t blame you, heh. Whoa, purely psychological, I’m sure. I guess Scary Spice just slipped my mind. Roddy ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098/51 "2008-11-11T06:35:44Z")
> [@SHAKES](#): > > Y\ > > Seriously, NOBODY has the right to be the thought police. Dammit! {Goes off to change her resume.} ---
**Author:** ![Rachael\_Rage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@Rachael\_Rage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachael_Rage)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098/52 "2008-11-11T07:08:34Z")
> [@ParentalAdvisory](#): > > Flilf Okay, normally I _hate_ the tired **\_ilf** thing, but this made me giggle. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098/53 "2008-11-11T21:12:55Z")
> [@meanoldman](#): > > How disrespectful is it to the first lady to express thoughts of a, um,er carnal nature? No more or less disrespectful than for any other woman. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098/54 "2008-11-11T22:48:30Z")
Any other woman who isn’t under armed guard, 24/7, that is. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098/55 "2008-11-11T23:02:48Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > That’s what I think . . . every single time I see him. We’ve never had a President who even came close. John F. Kennedy was considered by some to be a hottie. Certainly a different kind of good-looking, but “not even close”? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098/56 "2008-11-11T23:21:06Z")
> [@Savannah](#): > > I’d conduct international relations with that leader. I’d go so far as to say that I would be willing to meet with him without preconditions. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098/57 "2008-11-12T00:55:48Z")
Finally, a community that will not judge me harshly for saying that the President-elect has a [nice](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2019/2455352807_11df19c7a3.jpg) [rear](http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.courant.com/media/photo/2008-08/41794980.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-springfieldrally0823-pg,0,2355083.photogallery%3Findex%3Dhrt-apobama200820080823123656&h=333&w=500&sz=63&hl=en&start=206&usg=__vU539gBoP3vE0Bl_vhqnL237Zso=&tbnid=xjQsvdCiI2wYRM:&tbnh=87&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbarack%2Bobama%2Bcampaign%2Bstop%26start%3D200%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN). ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098/58 "2008-11-12T01:18:32Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > The Obamas will look just fine when they meet [Michaëlle Jean](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micha%C3%ABlle_Jean).Not a bad idea. I wonder whether it’s too late for that by now, though. > > And what will the _husband_ of a President be called? “First Lord” doesn’t seem right somehow. “Hubby #1”? It would be “First Gentleman.” ETA, I’m surprised nobody’s posted the [Obama beefcake](http://scottoncapecod.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/bho-beach.jpg) picture yet. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098/59 "2008-11-12T02:47:57Z")
> [@TheLoadedDog](#): > > I saw some news footage today of the Bush family / Obama family handshakery going on at the White House. As Dubya extends his hand to Barack Obama, the camera angle makes it look exactly like he’s grabbing Michelle Obama’s arse. > > My chain of thought over that second was something along the lines of, “What the…? HEY, GO DUBYA! … oh.” > > Anybody else see that? My husband confirms that he saw this and thought the exact thing. Well, maybe not “go!” but definitely the “wtf?” part. And I’ll just add my vote to the “President Hottie” movement. Maybe not a conventional model handsome but he’s got a great smile and is very photogenic. ---
**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098/60 "2008-11-12T02:50:13Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > It would be “First Gentleman.” Or, in Alaska, “First Dude.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrespectful-to-the-first-lady-elect/472098.md?page=4)