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AS IT IS 2016-09-13 Bill Clinton Would Make History as ‘First Gentleman’

时间:2016-09-14 23:58:48

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AS IT IS 2016-09-13 Bill Clinton Would Make History as ‘First Gentleman’

If Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton wins the U.S. presidency1, her husband Bill Clinton would fill the role traditionally held by women first ladies.

How would this role be different for Bill Clinton, especially since he served as the 42nd president of the United States?

First ‘gentleman’ would be a first in American politics

“There are no precedents,” said Allan Litchman, professor of history at American University in Washington, D.C. “But certainly he should not be called the first lady. He should be called the first gentleman, of course.”

Bill Clinton has not publicly discussed his possible role as first gentleman. He has said that if Hillary Clinton is elected, he will resign from the board of the not-for-profit Clinton Foundation. Hillary Clinton has repeatedly said that as president, she would surely include him in her administration.

Hillary Clinton was clear about this question during a campaign stop earlier this year in the southern state of Kentucky. “My husband, who I’m going to put in charge of revitalizing the economy, because you know he knows how to do it.”

More recently, she was asked about her husband’s possible role during an interview on the CBS News show 60 Minutes. “I will be the president. But it does happen to be a historical fact that my husband served as president for eight years,” she said. “And there’s a lot that happened which helped the American people during those eight years. I want an economy that creates more jobs.”

Dr. Anthony J. Eksterowicz is an honorary professor of political science at James Madison University. He says the first lady’s office has become much more professional over the years and is now also closely linked to the office of the president. He would expect this to continue if Bill Clinton took over as first gentleman.

“I look for even greater professionalization of staff under his management. Probably more staff, more hierarchical organization and much, much higher integration2 with the White House office and his office.”

Eksterowicz said he has no doubt that Hillary Clinton would use Bill in a much greater political role than most first ladies.

“She’d be crazy not to, given his experience. He knows all the global leaders, he is conversant3 in domestic policy, and he’s conversant in all policy issues. So he’s an enormous resource and she has to use him and she will use him.”

In the United States, a first lady traditionally does not draw a lot of attention, while supporting her husband. Most take up non-political causes to publicize across America.

One example is Michelle Obama, wife of President Barack Obama. She has led a campaign to reduce child obesity4 and promote healthy eating. Most Americans can support such a non-political policy.

Role of first lady has changed over time

Hillary Clinton was one of the most politically active first ladies in history. She pushed for one of her husband’s main political goals – to bring health insurance to all Americans. But she faced strong opposition5 and the administration’s health reform effort failed in the end.

Another first lady who had political influence was Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of the 32nd U.S. president, Franklin D. Roosevelt. She told the nation in 1933 that Americans should not expect their new first lady to be “a symbol of elegance6.” Instead, she said they would be getting a "plain, ordinary Mrs. Roosevelt.”

During her service, Eleanor Roosevelt became the first first lady to hold her own press conferences. She also traveled the country visiting relief projects and examining work and living conditions. She campaigned for the rights of the poor and minorities. But she also found time for her official White House entertaining duties.

Eksterowicz said he thinks the next most influential7 first lady in terms of policy was Rosalynn Carter, wife of the 39th U.S. president, Jimmy Carter.

“This is a woman who sat in on cabinet meetings, Camp David negotiations8, served as a presidential ambassador during a Latin American trip, lobbied and testified before Congress.”

He noted9 that Carter expanded her role by creating a new position of chief of staff and integrating her office with the White House office.

Some first ladies have also had influence in a less public way. One was Nancy Reagan, wife of the 40th U.S. president, Ronald Reagan. Nancy had a “powerful” impact from behind the scenes, according to Eksterowicz.

“I would say a very, very strong, influential behind-the-scenes partner, particularly with respect to foreign affairs and establishing relationships with the Russians.”

Nancy Reagan was also known to give her husband advice on his public image and which people to choose for top staff positions.

Bill Clinton’s role could also raise the issue of whether presidential spouses10 should be paid. Currently they receive no salary. Eksterowicz said the case in favor of pay would be stronger if Bill Clinton was given specific tasks from the president.

He also noted that Hillary and Bill Clinton both have strong, activist11 personalities12. He said there is a very real possibility that Bill Clinton could overshadow his wife in certain actions.

Professor Litchman agrees. “Whether he (Clinton) can keep himself under control is the bigger and much more interesting question.”

If Trump13 is elected, wife Melania would not be first foreign-born first lady

If Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump wins, he has said he thinks his wife Melania would be an “unbelievable” first lady.

"Melania is a very beautiful woman both inside and out. She has got a tremendous heart. She feels so strongly about the women's health issues. In fact, she knows how strongly I feel about that, and she's always pushing me on women's health issues.”

Melania Trump is a former model who was born in the east European republic of Slovenia. She would not be the only first lady born outside of the United States. It happened once before in 1825. That was the year the sixth U.S. president, John Quincy Adams, took office.

A U.S. diplomat14, John Quincy Adams met his future wife Louisa in London when she was 19 years old, according to the White House website. The two married three years later, but she did not arrive in the United States until 1801.

Melania Trump has not specifically talked about her possible role as first lady. But she said in an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper that she often gives her husband her opinions on issues.

“I give him my opinions, many, many times. I’m my own person, I tell him what I think. I’m standing15 very strong on the ground on my two feet and I’m my own person. And I think that’s very important in the relationship.”

Eksterowicz said it is hard to say how involved Melania would be in a Trump administration because the pair has no history as a political couple.

“When I look at Melania Trump, I see a very, very steep learning curve. There’s virtually no experience in terms of Washington, politics, policy, it’s just not there. So she’s going to have to learn virtually everything.”

Words in This Story

role – n. the part someone has in a job, activity or performance

revitalize – v. make something more active or exciting

obesity – n. a condition of having by too much fat in the body

hierarchical – adj. system of organizing people or things based on importance

integration – n. the combination of two or more things

conversant – adj. being familiar with or having knowledge or

elegance – n. being graceful16 and stylish17

ordinary – adj. common, not special or unusual

tremendous –adj. very good, excellent

overshadow – v. make someone or something less important or successful

learning curve – n. how fast or slowly someone can learn a new skill or activity


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点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 presidency J1HzD     
n.总统(校长,总经理)的职位(任期)
参考例句:
  • Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
  • Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。
2 integration G5Pxk     
n.一体化,联合,结合
参考例句:
  • We are working to bring about closer political integration in the EU.我们正在努力实现欧盟內部更加紧密的政治一体化。
  • This was the greatest event in the annals of European integration.这是欧洲统一史上最重大的事件。
3 conversant QZkyG     
adj.亲近的,有交情的,熟悉的
参考例句:
  • Mr.Taylor is thoroughly conversant with modern music.泰勒先生对现代音乐很精通。
  • We become the most conversant stranger in the world.我们变成了世界上最熟悉的陌生人。
4 obesity Dv1ya     
n.肥胖,肥大
参考例句:
  • One effect of overeating may be obesity.吃得过多能导致肥胖。
  • Sugar and fat can more easily lead to obesity than some other foods.糖和脂肪比其他食物更容易导致肥胖。
5 opposition eIUxU     
n.反对,敌对
参考例句:
  • The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
  • The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。
6 elegance QjPzj     
n.优雅;优美,雅致;精致,巧妙
参考例句:
  • The furnishings in the room imparted an air of elegance.这个房间的家具带给这房间一种优雅的气氛。
  • John has been known for his sartorial elegance.约翰因为衣着讲究而出名。
7 influential l7oxK     
adj.有影响的,有权势的
参考例句:
  • He always tries to get in with the most influential people.他总是试图巴结最有影响的人物。
  • He is a very influential man in the government.他在政府中是个很有影响的人物。
8 negotiations af4b5f3e98e178dd3c4bac64b625ecd0     
协商( negotiation的名词复数 ); 谈判; 完成(难事); 通过
参考例句:
  • negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
  • Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。
9 noted 5n4zXc     
adj.著名的,知名的
参考例句:
  • The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
  • Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。
10 spouses 3fbe4097e124d44af1bc18e63e898b65     
n.配偶,夫或妻( spouse的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Jobs are available for spouses on campus and in the community. 校园里和社区里有配偶可做的工作。 来自辞典例句
  • An astonishing number of spouses-most particularly in the upper-income brackets-have no close notion of their husbands'paychecks. 相当大一部分妇女——特别在高收入阶层——并不很了解他们丈夫的薪金。 来自辞典例句
11 activist gyAzO     
n.活动分子,积极分子
参考例句:
  • He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
  • He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。
12 personalities ylOzsg     
n. 诽谤,(对某人容貌、性格等所进行的)人身攻击; 人身攻击;人格, 个性, 名人( personality的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • There seemed to be a degree of personalities in her remarks.她话里有些人身攻击的成分。
  • Personalities are not in good taste in general conversation.在一般的谈话中诽谤他人是不高尚的。
13 trump LU1zK     
n.王牌,法宝;v.打出王牌,吹喇叭
参考例句:
  • He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
  • The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手,作为他的王牌。
14 diplomat Pu0xk     
n.外交官,外交家;能交际的人,圆滑的人
参考例句:
  • The diplomat threw in a joke, and the tension was instantly relieved.那位外交官插进一个笑话,紧张的气氛顿时缓和下来。
  • He served as a diplomat in Russia before the war.战前他在俄罗斯当外交官。
15 standing 2hCzgo     
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的
参考例句:
  • After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
  • They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
16 graceful deHza     
adj.优美的,优雅的;得体的
参考例句:
  • His movements on the parallel bars were very graceful.他的双杠动作可帅了!
  • The ballet dancer is so graceful.芭蕾舞演员的姿态是如此的优美。
17 stylish 7tNwG     
adj.流行的,时髦的;漂亮的,气派的
参考例句:
  • He's a stylish dresser.他是个穿着很有格调的人。
  • What stylish women are wearing in Paris will be worn by women all over the world.巴黎女性时装往往会引导世界时装潮流。

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