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dirty dog · 06-13-2010, 07:41 PM

I would like to see how the first ladies are viewed. So lets rank them. I think to be fair lets forget party affiliation or how well you liked their husbands. Which one's you liked and why. Lets keep it friendly...........

My top 5 would be:

Barbara Bush - a nice lady who stayed in the background unless provoked. presented herself with class and made me feel like I was a kid at Grandma's house.

Jackie Kennedy - Smart, cultured and an American treasure.

Laura Bush - a truly nice woman, a teacher, stayed out of the news and let the president play politics.

Michelle Obama - made a few misques in the beginning but has represented American with class, intellegence and honor.

#5 would be a tie between Hillary and Nancy Regan. Both got to involved with the politics to much, but both are intellegent and made their husbands better Presidents.

So what do you think.

BiggestBest · 06-13-2010, 08:31 PM

My vote would go to Dolley Madison.

She oversaw a lot of the building and decorating of the White House (which was done with slave labor at the time). She was acting first lady for Thomas Jefferson before becoming First Lady when her husband took office. And she knew how to throw a party.

Her portraits aren't bad either.

Oh, and she makes a great line of snacks.

N2SEX46 · 06-13-2010, 09:48 PM

Unlike the pretty First Ladies, Jackie Kennedy, Rosalyn Carter, and Laura Bush, the greatest of all was homely Eleanor Roosevelt who was Franklin's eyes and ears of middle class America, poor/oppressed during the Depression and war theater visitor and consultant to the troops and brass. FDR was more of a foreign affairs man, although he inherited and put his efforts to get America out of the Depression, which was why he was elected. Back then, a womans' voice wasn't in the forefront of the news like today, but she had the ear and clout to do things other first ladies couldn't do up to that time and well after. Yes, I agree with BB that Dolly Madison belongs up there, as it was she that set the precedent on the role of the first lady. Eleanor also continued to be active in FDR's (and later Truman and Eisenhower) United Nations program. Again, when it came to beauty, spinners, glamour, etc. Eleanor was no Jackie O. and I doubt she'd get many appointments if she were a provider.
This from a former history professor, so staying away from politics, husbands, etc. like DD requested, you have my input (BTW: I'm a Republican).

Longermonger · 06-13-2010, 09:49 PM

Laura Welch got away with vehicular manslaughter, played the victim card, and made everybody feel sorry for her. She should have gone to prison.

dirty dog · 06-13-2010, 10:03 PM

Stay on topic LM, same thing could be said about Teddy Kennedy. If you cant simply choose your favorite without attacking the others then dont play in this thread.

Longermonger · 06-13-2010, 10:09 PM

Ted Kennedy wasn't a first lady.

BiggestBest · 06-13-2010, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longermonger

Ted Kennedy wasn't a first lady.

He was certainly not a man on that day in Chappaquiddoc.

The topic is first ladies you like. Try to think positive and propose your favorite.

N2SEX46 · 06-13-2010, 10:53 PM

I meant to mention Michelle Obama in my previous, yet wordy opinion. She has carried herself with class, or so it seems. She's taken some criticism as she is accused of having dozens of people on her staff. I really don't know how true it is, but I suppose SNOPES could enlighten us. I suggest we let history determine what kind of first lady she rates, but I have to say at this point in time, besides being a very intelligent and well read lady, she is attractive and carries herself with class and decorum. My thoughts on this topic, let's not include her as she has only been first lady just over a year. I suggest we focus on past first ladies. Again, just my opinion and it is DD's forum.

Omahan · 06-13-2010, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longermonger

Ted Kennedy wasn't a first lady.

I agree that you are off topic. Please don't do it again.

Cheaper2buyit · 06-13-2010, 11:27 PM

[quote=BiggestBest;353829]My vote would go to Dolley Madison.

She oversaw a lot of the building and decorating of the White House (which was done with slave labor at the time)
sorry if I get points but your a dumb ass wtf you like someone who had slaves do their work thats why you got obama now suck that slave dick

dirty dog · 06-14-2010, 12:27 AM

Cheaper if we hated everything from the 1700 - 1850's built with slave labor we would be hating a lot, this is about first ladies not slave labor. Lean back and relax lol. No need to get Omahan's blood pressure up.

john_galt · 06-14-2010, 01:50 AM

I have to cast a vote for Frances Folsom Cleveland, who at 21 years old was the youngest first lady and, according to the portraits, easy on the eyes.

It occurs to me that we have not established the criteria for what we admire about certain first ladies.

A few at the bottom of the barrel; Mamie Eisenhower had spent too much time as a general's wife. She treated everyone around her as a subordinate though she had no official authority to do anything. Edith Galt Wilson virtually ran the country for months in violation of our constitution. Bess Truman spent most of her time in Independence and only visited the White House and Harry.

I have to give kudos to Abigail Adams, Julia Grant, and Nancy Reagan for the endless support that they gave their husbands whether you like them or not.

Cheaper the White House was completed before Dolly Madison became first lady. She did have to oversea the rebuilding after the British burned it. I would not be so crude as Dolly Madison didn't even have the right to vote so why blame her.

BiggestBest · 06-14-2010, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheaper2buyit

wtf you like someone who had slaves do their work

It was just surprising to me. I assumed growing up that builders were paid to build it. I was pointing out the truth of who did the work, not proposing that we bring back slavery.

I was also impressed that a lady in that time frame would be managing a big construction project. That's not a story that I ever heard in school. More truth worth mentioning.

To quote a wise man "dude just get you dick sucked & forget what anybody says this site is just for fun".

Peace.

dirty dog · 06-14-2010, 05:46 AM

Well there is no criteria because it was not meant as a competition, I did not ask what 5 you thought were best, I asked what 5 you liked the best and why you liked them.

KCJoe · 06-14-2010, 09:04 AM

Laura Bush. Not overly impressed, but might be because I didn't like her husband.
Hillary Clinton. Wanted the job of president more than her husband I think. One of the more intellegent ones. Has any other first wife gone on to do the things she has done?
Barbara Bush. Thought she was okay until she made the comment about not troubling her beautiful mind about the troubles of Hurrican Katrina.
Nancy Reagan. Class and style. But I have to take points away for that whole astrology thing.
Eleanor Carter. Saw her on Jon Stewart's show not too long ago. Very well spoken and really seemed to care for the caused she champions.
Pat Nixon. I think some of the problems she had to deal with would have put many of us in a corner crying. Married to the biggest dick that was ever in the WH. Although I think he was probably one of the most effective politicians ever.

I have to think that Eleanor Roosevelt would get my vote for the greatest First Lady ever. Think of what she could have done if she wasn't hampered by her looks.