(7 of 7)
Last week Hillary Clinton sought to reclaim a bit of her policy role by saying she intended to take a more "comprehensive" role in the White House, meaning she would be an active "voice for children" and an advocate of programs to promote their interests. "I have recollections of extraordinary policy roles taken by Eleanor Roosevelt and very strong positions on the environment by Lady Bird Johnson," she told TIME.
First Spouses have always had some influence on the President, no matter how much that influence was hidden or downplayed. Woodrow Wilson's wife Edith was the virtual President during her husband's long illness. And it is impossible to imagine Presidents from George Washington to George Bush not listening to the counsel of the one person in the world upon whom they can count to have their joint interests at heart. Bush is a better President for having Barbara Bush at his side. So why shouldn't Dan Quayle get the benefit of Marilyn Quayle's intellect and instincts? And why shouldn't Bill Clinton have the benefit of Hillary Clinton's? And why then shouldn't the country get the same benefit? Perhaps it is time to admit that "two for one" is a good deal.
CHART: NOT AVAILABLE
CREDIT: From a telephone poll of 836 American adults taken for TIME/CNN on Aug. 25-27 by Yankelovich Clancy Shulman. Sampling error is plus or minus 3%.
CAPTION: Do your opinions of Hillary Clinton make you more inclined to vote fro Bill Clinton?
Which of the following apply to Hillary Clinton?