I don't seem to remember it being that big of a deal; the big deal was that people just didn't like her, and she had a habit of making controversial statements (i.e., when she said in a Washington Post interview that the main reason people should vote for Kerry was because she would make a good First Lady).

I realize you're trying to make this into a Republican/Democrat thing, but I think it had more to do with the likability of said potential First Lady.

Or when she said she was black.

I love that crazy woman, but she needs to be quiet.

Ah yes, I forgot about that gem.

Hold on a sec, DeltAlum is a moderate ;)

-Rudey
--You're right it was an issue of her being a quack that bothered people...oh and the fact that she manipulated her taxes :)

Absolutely untrue. I hope to vote for McCain next time.

I'm still not registered with either party. I never have and never intend to be.

You guys can consider me anything you want, but anything right of liberal is not necessarily conservative, nor is anything left of conservative liberal. There's a vast area in there and I think that's where most of the electorate fits.

I just wonder if, since somebody brought the candidate wife's place of birth up last time, it will be brought up again.

You brought up how it was a problem for one family, and asked whether it should be for another. With that comment, it seemed like you were trying to make it a political thing (criticize the Democrat, so why not criticize the Republican).

I happen to believe that Heinz-Kerry's birthplace wasn't a big deal to most people; what was a big deal is that most people just plain didn't like her. She's very opinionated, and sometimes just made no sense with the things she said. I just don't remember her birthplace being a big deal at all.

The stupid CReps at my undergrad made a huge deal out of it, they kept saying she wasn't a real American and wasn't fit to be first lady because of that. Then again, they are some unique snowflakes.

No politics intended -- only a question of if there would be fair play. It simply occurred to me when I read that Jeb's wife was born in Mexico.

I agree that a lot of people didn't like Ms. Kerry -- myself among them, although not to the extent of some. But as I said at the time, I intended to vote for one of the husbands for President, not for one of the women for First Lady.

I think it was a fairly big deal for a while (see GP's post above), but subsided.

It was not a national issue - I honestly think you made more out of it than what it was. Her nationality was really a very minor issue in the election.

I'm not saying that we should vote based on the First Lady; I'm saying what public sentiment was towards Heinz-Kerry (see Munchkin's post above)

Delt, you might be 'moderate' in the sense that you disagree with some Democratic policies as well, but you take a hilariously hard line on issues.

That's not bad, though - embrace it, buddy! This is why America is great!

I'll be honest - I'm pretty sure I posted something about Teresa Heinz (she has legally gone back to just "Heinz", not "Heinz Kerry", at least at the last printing) not being born in the USA. And I would have a problem in having a First Lady who wasn't a native-born American.

But problems are meant to be dealt with. If TH(K) had been less flaky, she wouldn't have been a liability. Saying that she was "African American" was frankly insulting to many who consider themselves African American, among other things. I've often wondered if she just became unhinged after Sen. John Heinz's tragic death, or would John Heinz have had a chance at the White House with her?

My few cents:

* "Jeb" is a nickname. His real name is John Ellis Bush (or something like that).

* George P. might be cute, but let's not forget his siblings. The younger son has been arrested a few times (not for anything major - I seem to recall he & a girl were caught undressed in a car parked @ a mall). And then of course, there's the daughter who has been in & out of rehab. Mom is no angel either. She "forgot" to claim thousands of dollars of merchandise one time returning from abroad. Oops.

(Hmm... since their mother is Mexican, do you think these Bush kids check that "hispanic" box on all the forms? Weird to think that Bush's kids would be filling a quota...or be eligible for some minority scholarships..)

* As for Teresa Heinz, I know a university professor who was born & raised in South Africa. He is now a naturalized American. He says why shouldn't he call himself an African American, when that's what he really is?? (but this is for another thread..!)

That makes sense to me... If you're born in African and move to America, then of course you're an African-American (white or black). If you're born in America, I consider you an American, regardless of your skin color.

i doubt too many americans share your optimism.

A lot of people had problems with THK calling herself African because she benefitted from the colonialism (she grew up Portuguese in Mozambique) that took place. I personally really liked her, but felt she had a pretty bad case of F-I-M disease.