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Would-Be First Ladies Candid in First Forum

Bill Clinton a no-show

By Lucas Laursen,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 24, 2007 7:33 AM CDT

(Newser) – Five spouses of presidential candidates met yesterday for a surprisingly candid exchange about their experiences on the campaign trail and their potential roles in the White House. Bill Clinton and Judith Giuliani both opted out, prompting host Maria Shriver, a former journalist and California's first lady, to joke that “we invited him to serve coffee but he was busy.”

The women spoke about baby changing on the campaign bus and how much strategy advice they gave their husbands. Jeri Thompson compared campaign exposure to "walking down the street without clothes on."  Elizabeth Edwards decried slip-ups. "Anytime you say anything ... it gets exploded into a bigger story." All said they struggled with overscheduling and the public’s expectation that they weigh in on their husband’s policies.

From left, the spouses of the presidential hopefuls, Jeri Thompson, Michelle Obama, Ann Romney, Elizabeth Edwards, and Cindy Hensley McCain speak, as California first lady Maria Shriver moderates, at the California Governor and First Lady's Conference on Women in Long Beach, Calif. on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007.  (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
From left, the spouses of the presidential hopefuls, Jeri Thompson, Michelle Obama, Ann Romney, Elizabeth Edwards, and Cindy Hensley McCain speak, as California first lady Maria Shriver moderates, at...   (Associated Press)
Presidential candidate's spouses, from left, Jeri Thompson, Michelle Obama, Ann Romney, Elizabeth Edwards, and Cindy Hensley McCain pose together after speaking at the California Governor and First Lady's Conference on Women in Long Beach, Calif. on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Presidential candidate's spouses, from left, Jeri Thompson, Michelle Obama, Ann Romney, Elizabeth Edwards, and Cindy Hensley McCain pose together after speaking at the California Governor and First Lady's...   (Associated Press)
Ann Romney, wife of presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, left, and Michelle Obama, wife of presidential hopeful Barack Obama, second from left, Jeri Thompson, wife of presidential hopeful Fred Thompson, and Elizabeth Edwards, wife of presidential hopeful John Edwards, far right, all greet each other at the California Governor and First...
Ann Romney, wife of presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, left, and Michelle Obama, wife of presidential hopeful Barack Obama, second from left, Jeri Thompson, wife of presidential hopeful Fred Thompson,...   (Associated Press)
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