From Martha to Laura: The role of the first lady in US politics

Seminar paper from the year 2004 in the subject Politics - Political Systems - General and Comparisons, grade: 1,3, University of Bonn, course: Einführung in die Innenpolitik der USA, language: English, abstract: The position of the first lady of the United States is unequalled anywhere. In comparison to the wives of other democratically elected leaders, she has a much larger staff, receives immense public attention and is in charge of a considerable amount of federal money. While in Great Britain for example, public attention focuses on the members of the royal family and not on the prime minister's wife, the American first lady was drawn to a public role from the very beginning of the United States of America on. While upon inauguration, the president of the United States swears to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, what does his wife, the first lady promise? The president might be limited by party issues and political ties, but which factors influence the first lady in fulfilling her position? The U.S. Constitution is silent on the role of the spouse of the president since 'after all, there is only one person that chooses her'1(and maybe someday him). The first lady therefore has no democratic legitimacy, but this has not stopped her from publicly representing the American Nation. Where does the acceptance of the first lady as a spokesperson for the American people come from? These are some of the questions this paper will try to answer. The main attention will focus on possible political weight and/or authority of the first lady. The first part will give an overview over the historical development of the office from 1789 until today, describing important social, political and historical factors which have influenced this process as well as personal influences the first ladies and their husbands have had on their position. The second part will focus on the specific roles that the first ladies have taken over throughout its history and their effect on American politics. Although the early first ladies and their influence on the office will be considered too, the focal point will be on the modern first ladies of the 20thand 21st century. Concerning the spelling of First Lady this paper uses the form of leading first ladies' scholars like Robert P. Watson and use the lower case except when referring directly to a specific first lady.