So often seen but not heard, the wives of the presidential candidates have been speaking out — at least a little bit – in 2012.
A sampler:
Ann Romney, Mitt Romney's wife for the past 42 years, joked about her husband's much-publicized Detroit statement that he drives a Mustang and a Chevy pickup truck and she drives "a couple of Cadillacs." "Maybe I should just do all the talking an let him just stand there and watch me," she told supporters on Saturday. "I've also decided: No more debates. If we're going to do another debate, he's going to sit in the audience and watch me And that'll be it."
Karen Santorum, Rick Santorum's wife for the past 21 years, rarely grants interviews. But on Thursday she told conservative talk-show host Glenn Beck that she decided it was "God's will" that her husband run for president. "I did always feel in my heart that God had big plans for Rick…When Obamacare passed, that was it. That put the fire in my belly."
Carol Paul, Ron Paul's wife for the past 55 years, told ABC News in New Hampshire, "He takes care of the country, and I take care of the kids."
Callista Gingrich, Newt Gingrich's third wife, answered New Yorker writer Ariel Levy's question about whether her mind ever wanders at campaign events: "She had replied, 'No,' with a cheeky smile. 'I hang on his every word.'" After Newt Gingrich told Levy that his wife was "the grownup" in their relationship, Levy asked Callista Gingrich if she agreed: "'Most days,' she said, and laughed."
Michelle Obama, president Barack Obama's wife for the past two decades, just before Valentine's Day talked to Access Hollywood's Billy Bush as part of her "Let's Move!" campaign. "I am blessed to have a husband who is very attentive," she said. She joked about his February 14 plans: "It's hard for him to pull off the big surprise when you've got a motorcade and police escorts and all that stuff."
My take: Like children, First Wives and Potential First Wives should be seen – and heard. But what do you think?
For more on presidential families, read:
The Families of the Presidential Candidates