Hillary Clinton will offer her husband as an “economic expert” in her administration rather than offering him the chance to pick out china patterns — or any of the other duties most First Ladies are given charge over.
More: Guardian Writers Brutally Mocked for Own Headlines
Speaking to crowds Sunday, the Clinton currently running suggested that the former Clinton President would be perfect for a role creating jobs and revitalizing a stagnant American economy, even though he’s technically in retirement from policy making.
Clinton gets specific on the job Bill would have in her WH: "My husband, who I’m going to put in charge of revitalizing the economy…"
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) May 15, 2016
Sure, she can handle foreign policy, but domestic policy is a different story. Her husband, though, is good at math (which is a little sexist on her part, when you think about it) and, at least according to lore, saved American from the brink of economic destruction once, right? So it’s a two-for-one deal!
It may help Clinton appeal to Democratic moderates yearning for the glory days of the 1990s (and give Newt Gingrich something to do for Donald Trump besides petition for a moon base), but this isn’t the first time Hillary Clinton has hinted that her husband would be “more than a traditional First Spouse” when she snags the White House. More than likely, traditional First Lady duties will fall to Chelsea Clinton, at least according to experts.
But why? What makes Bill Clinton so different that he should be given a more significant role than other First Ladies? In an era where women — including Hillary Clinton — are striving for equal rights, why can’t a man be more like a woman?
Traditionally, the president’s spouse has been a policy advocate, but in a quiet manner: Laura Bush pushed literacy with schoolchildren, Nancy Reagan enlisted Hollywood in the War on Drugs, even Michelle Obama, who received scorn for her “Let’s Move” campaign, has largely been a public face, not a policy maker, where children’s health has been concerned.
Hillary Clinton should know first-hand what happens when the un-elected partner of a president gets too close to legislation: Her HillaryCare initiative met with total disaster.
But why exactly should Bill Clinton be considered so far above recent first spouses? After all, none of them have been slouches in the modern era. Clinton herself possessed a law degree; Laura Bush was a teacher experienced in her field, and Michelle Obama is a Harvard-educated attorney who is arguably more successful than her husband in the private sector. Nonetheless, all of them took a backseat to their spouses, offering personal advice and quiet counsel while their significant others inked treaties and formed partnerships. Bill Clinton shouldn’t get a pass to the Big Kids table simply because he’s differently gendered.
Bill Clinton may not want to select an outfit for the Smithsonian. But if he can’t accept a more limited role, he and his wife would be sending a disappointing message to women about what their careers — and roles — are really worth.