Don’t Give Up Your Day Job

By CONNIE SCHULTZ
NYT

Cleveland

IF we are to believe the latest round of political wife coverage, Callista Gingrich is the new face of her husband’s presidential campaign, and Maria Shriver is a former first lady lost in transition.

Neither of these story lines pass the straight-face test, but they fit the traditional narrative that casts such wives as either props or problems. Some habits die hard, no matter how many times Michelle Obama expresses an independent thought.

The Question of the Week hovers over Callista Bisek Gingrich, who, we are told, broke up Newt Gingrich’s second marriage to become Wife No. 3. Is she — problem! — a reminder of her husband’s philandering past, or is she — prop! — his new secret weapon that will propel him into the White House?

Let us put to rest, please, the notion of the husband-robbing harlot. Mrs. Gingrich III didn’t break up Mr. Gingrich’s second marriage. He did, and in an impeachable fashion, if he meant what he said about Bill Clinton at the time.

(More here.)