I think it’s about time the First House-boy Diego had his chance to shine.
There is no reason that the host(ess) of social functions should automatically be headed by a woman any more than the president should automatically be a man.
Not necessarily. A queen ran the FBI once.
Or we could arrange a marriage between Chelsea and on off Bush’s nephews and unite both houses. Seriously the if Hillary is elected President then the proper form of introduction for the First Couple would be The President of the United States and the Honorable Bill Clinton. Usually it’s in the form of The President of the United States and Mrs Bush. “First Lady” isn’t an official title and shouldn’t be used formally.
I don’t know about that but Bill has a certified track record. We could have the First Bimbo. This will put Bill in a bind because he needs a woman who will keep her mouth shut. But historical evidence has addressed the need for a woman who will swallow her pride and lie low until things blow over.
Personally, I’m looking forward to a line of handbags with the mark of the president on them.
Well, it is expected, and generally tolerated, that the norms of polite society (think Social Register, cotillions, debutantes, etc.), in which world the First Lady functions and of which she is arguably ex officio the head in America, will be somewhat more conservative than those of the professions and politics. I doubt anything but a hostess will really do.
Changing gender roles go both ways. Let the old money weirdo elite wring their hands over it.
So you see Bill picking out china patterns and setting up dinner parties? I’m gonna guess no on that arrangement. I suspect he will entertain guests as the need arises.
To what degree did Hillary participate in that first-hand (i.e. without hiring someone?) I wonder? I find the whole concept of “First/Second Lady” outdated anyways.
Agreed. Most the stuff the First Lady does in planning state dinners will be done by a staffer. By the way, isn’t the First Lady traditionally the Honoray President of the Girl Scouts. I know the President is Honoray President of the Boy Scouts.
Hmmm…that will make the act difficult. Is this a new technique I haven’t heard about? 
You just can’t help yourself, can you? 
This one made me snort wine through my nose (no, it’s not a new technique).
I wonder if this “logo” can be patented.
I don’t know if you can patent a hand crafted skill but it would be an exhausting project either way.
OK, now I’m imagining a fight between the 2 of them over the Girl Scouts.
I agree that the roles should reverse, whatever that amounts to. I just don’t see it happening.
What ever intern is giving Bill head in the oval office will suffice.
Declan
We all laugh, but look at what royal families, as well as their chamberlains & stewards, have managed in history, on approximately this much.
I’ve known for years that America wants a monarchy. It will get one, sooner or later.
The Dutch have had a succession of four queens since 1900, so we have some experience in dealing with the Prince-Consort/First Gentleman thing.
**Prince Henry** (husband of Queen Wilhelmina , 1890-1948). No public office. A drunken, philandering, useless bastard who spent most of his time hunting. The role of First Lady was filled, by, befitting the occasion, politicians, highborn ladies of the court, and other court officials.
**Prince Bernhard**, husband of queen Juliana (reighning 1948-1980) is rumored to have been the guy on which Ian Fleming modelled James Bond. He had little official power, besides that of high ranking officer in the Dutch Royal Air Force. He pretty much did what he wanted, uncontrolled, and had a rich career as semi-official diplomat and businessman, mixing his personal interests with that of the state whenever he saw fit. His leash to do so was cut shorter after the Lockheed scandal in 1976, where he accepted bribes from a aeroplane company for a big order of planes for the Dutch state. It turned out he needed the money to fund his two other official maitresses, who both had illegitimate kids by him. :eek: His role and character are best summed up as charming scoundrel.
Bernhard played the role of First Gentleman with considerable energy, charm and success; he just had far too much of an agenda of his own, and it was clear to everyone that his marriage to Queen Juliana was little more then a scam. The remainder of the role of First lady was, as before, filled by politicians, courtiers, dipolmats and their wives, and in later years by his four daughters, Royal princesses. So there is a parallel with Chelsea Clinton there.
**Prince Claus ** (1926-2002) was husband to the still reigning Queen Beatrix. Consensus is that Claus was the first Prince Consort to actually have a loving, loyal marriage to his wife, Beatrix. Beatrix is known as a much stronger, businesslike personality then her rather woo-woo and far too sweet mother Juliana. Claus was a capable, charming, if a little reserved man of high integrity. Considerably older then his wife, his tasks as Price Consort were cut back when he started suffering from Parkinsons’ disease and some say bouts of depression. His depression was the source of much speculation of and bad jokes that his role of Price-Consort wasn’t fulfilling enough. (“why does Beatrix aways hold those stiff little bouquets? Why, Those are hiding Claus’ remote control”) By and large, Claus’ role of Prince-Consort was filled with membership of the more important charitable, cultural and advisory Commitees. Most of his official public appearances, health permitting, were together with Queen Beatrix.
The role of first lady, was, as before, performed by politicians, courtiers, diplomat’s wives, by Beatrix’ sister Margriet and her husband, and by Beatrix sons’ and their wives.
Somewhere in the next five years Queen Beatrix will likely abdicate in favour of her eldest son, Willem-Alexander.. The Dutch are by now so used to Queens and Price Consorts that we actually wonder what it will be like to have a King and Queen. Alexanders wife, Maxima, is the daughter of an Argentinian secretary of state. She is the paragon of what anybody would ask for in a First Lady: charming, charismatic, diplomatic, hardworking, and quite the looker.. Like Prince Claus, her main job besides raising her three daughters is charitabel and prestigious comittees.
Rosie O’Donnel. But I’ve said too much already…
Yes. I know most of the comments here are jokes, but good grief. The fact that people are wringing their hands over this is embarrassing. Was Hilary really making watercress sandwiches and introducing debutantes?