White House Experts: Chelsea Clinton Could Take On Role Of First Lady if Hillary Wins

[big_dog]

If the Clintons were to move back into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the first daughter, Chelsea, would presumably take on the traditional responsibilities of the first lady, an expert on the White House tells the London Daily Mail Online.
'There is a social function to the first lady's role, and that will not go away,' C-SPAN co-CEO Susan Swain said. 'Diplomacy' is conducted through social settings, 'and it is important to have somebody in that role.'
Several first daughters have filled the role of hostess in place of their mothers throughout American history, Swain, the producer of C-SPAN's acclaimed series on America's first ladies and the author of a book on the same subject, said, noting that there is precedent for such an arrangement.
'The best guesstimate with the Clintons is that Chelsea Clinton would take over that role,' Swain said.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3078415/Chelsea-Clinton-role-lady-Hillary-wins-White-House-expert-says.html#ixzz3ZxQn4XV3

[tartan2]

1. No, when Hillary wins Bill will be the first gentleman

and he can do those duties and he will do them in style!!! It will be awesome!

[Liberal_in_LA]

29. yes!

[Warpy]

2. Chelsea Clinton has her own life

Pressing a daughter into servitude isn't as easy as it was when they were chattel, waiting around for the highest bidder to marry them since there was no other socially acceptable role for a woman who wanted to avoid penury.

Margaret Thatcher often complained that life at 10 Downing St. assumed a PM had a wife to take care of all the domestic details.

Clinton would be wise to hire a housekeeper should she be elected.

[Baitball Blogger]

13. And more importantly, we really do not need to plant the idea that the Clintons are

promoting a presidential dynasty.

Chelsea can do any of 1001 other things.

[hifiguy]

14. That is one of the great advantages of being in

and marrying into the tenth-percent.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

30. Press her in to servitude and pull her away from what? Working at the family foundation...

... started with money raised by her parents and named, in part, after her?

That's some life she clawed and carved out for herself.

Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled with the idea of the Clintons back in The White House - besides having another Dem President, I get to watch a few freepers I know IRL have grand mal seizures and/or massive shit hemorrhages .

[bigtree]

3. that's absurd

...it supposes the role is merely that of a hostess, rather than a supporting, contributing spouse.

Chelsea can do as she pleases, but if Hillary is elected, Bill can assume any role he wants to (as other First Spouses have) as First Man. I think it will be a refreshing change to see a man in that supporting role and the challenge will be for Bill to define that unelected position in ways which are just as dynamic and productive as the women who've assumed it.

[tritsofme]

4. Not sure I follow.

...it supposes the role is merely that of a hostess, rather than a supporting, contributing spouse

No I think the article simply makes the point that the "hostess" responsibilities are real and important, and if it isn't the sort of thing that interests Bill, perhaps Chelsea would take it on. The article goes on to say she wouldn't be the first First Daughter to take on such a role, even when the president had a spouse.

[bigtree]

17. the role isn't cast in stone

...and I was clear about how I feel.

[brooklynite]

5. What constitutes a "White House Expert"

Perhaps things are different in the UK, where Government pomp is a family business.

[4139]

6. She will not have secret service protection...

I'd advise her not to take that role

[TeamPooka]

20. Um, if Hillary is POTUS then her entire immediate family will have SS protection. So would Chelsea

Today, the Secret Service is authorized by law (18 United States Code § 3056) to protect:

The president, the vice president, (or other individuals next in order of succession to the Office of the President), the president-elect and vice president-elect
The immediate families of the above individuals
Former presidents and their spouses for their lifetimes, except when the spouse remarries.
Children of former presidents until age 16
Visiting heads of foreign states or governments and their spouses traveling with them, other distinguished foreign visitors to the United States, and official representatives of the United States performing special missions abroad
Major presidential and vice presidential candidates, and their spouses within 120 days of a general presidential election. As defined in statute, the term "major presidential and vice presidential candidates" means those individuals identified as such by the Secretary of Homeland Security after consultation with an advisory committee consisting of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, the majority and minority leaders of the Senate, and one additional member selected by the other members of the committee.
Other individuals as designated per Executive Order of the President
National Special Security Events, when designated as such by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security
http://www.secretservice.gov/protection.shtml

[NCTraveler]

7. What crap.

What isn't crap will be the first First Gentleman being the best one of all time. Will be tough to top Bill going forward. Home run right out of the box for First Gentleman.

[Raine1967]

8. Such conservative, patriarchal clap trap.

Expecting the daughter of the potential first woman president of the United States of America is not only condescending, it is ridiculous.

Ms. CLinton doesn't need Chelsea to play any role. She is doing just fine being who she is. This nation will be just fine without a FLOTUS.

We don't need someone to take over that *ROLE* —

[treestar]

9. I agree, it could be turned over to secretaries and assistants

Some First Lady in the future may have her own career and prefer to continue with it. It's a relic of patriarchal times.

[Raine1967]

18. The white house does not need a hostess and as you point out:

assistants could handle this.

If Clinton were to become president it would be interesting to see what happens to the role we once only referred to as FLOTUS.

[TeamPooka]

22. It would be hard to have a career in those circumstances. Thats why politics becomes family business

[Kingofalldems]

10. I see you post another crap article from a conservative source.

Might as well post something from the cave.

[jakeXT]

11. Merkel's husband

[TeamPooka]

23. I love what he's wearing. Where can I get that outfit? nt

[Unvanguard]

12. lol the Daily Mail n/t

[dballance]

15. What an absolutely absurd article.

I think Bill Clinton would be to serve as First Man.

[Kalidurga]

16. Bill will be fine in that role should he take it

I somehow don't think he will have a issue with it, he seems to love pouring on the charm.

[steve2470]

19. ridiculous article nt

[ibegurpard]

21. what the hell is this garbage?

Bill can fill the role.

[MohRokTah]

24. The ONLY reason this is possible is because Bill is a former president.

Had Bill Clinton never been president then the role would most likely fall to him, however, as a former president his role is pretty much already set.

[GeorgeGist]

25. Chauvinism much?

[WestSideStory]

26. The former President will suffice as first Gentleman

This should not be construed as an endorsement or disendorsement.

[oldandhappy]

27. I am holding out a First Gentleman!!

[jmowreader]

28. While Bill would make a fine First Gentleman, that's not the best role for him

Imagine Bill Clinton as Ambassador-at-Large.