THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 28, 1996 TAG: 9608280433
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBERT LITTLE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHICAGO LENGTH: 56 lines
Perhaps more than any other Virginian, Lynda Bird Robb has watched the expectations of America's political spouses evolve. The daughter of former president Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson, Robb is herself a former Virginia first lady whose husband is a U.S. Senator.
That Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Dole have become almost secondary candidates in this year's presidential race is a modern-day development that simply underscores the powerful opportunity the job of first spouse can offer, Robb says.
Be it her mother's partnership with her father in campaigning or her own role in campaigns or lobbying for child protections in Virginia, the prominence of first ladies can afford them considerable influence, she said. That some first ladies want to use that influence is an offer the voters and the political parties should welcome, not decry.
``I was not around in Mrs. Roosevelt's time, but I know that she was pretty controversial for her day,'' Robb said Tuesday, pausing before a Democratic Party reception inside Saks on Chicago's Michigan Avenue.
``She was controversial simply for being a women out of that mold of the in-the-background, quiet, staying-at-home wife.
``So in this day, haven't we moved beyond that? I think what we're really talking about now is that we ought to try to let everybody live up to the best that God gave them. That Hillary Clinton is very comfortable speaking and is a powerful advocate for the things that she and her husband believes in, that should be what's important.''
Robb has met both Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Dole.
In 1964, much like Bill Clinton is doing today, President Johnson chugged toward his nominating convention on the railways, stopping in cities and towns to preach his word. Robb said Elizabeth Dole used to ride the train campaigning for her father.
``She is an attractive woman, a powerful advocate for the things she and her husband believe in and of course has been a cabinet officer. A real strong partner for her husband.''
And she worked with Hillary Clinton on the Southern Governor's Conference committee that lobbied to reduce infant mortality rates in the 1980s.
``She is one of the most articulate people I know. Very bright, a real presence. She's not awed or scared about meeting people and presenting her ideas. That's really an admirable quality in her.
``They can make a great partnership. That's what my mother always said - that you complement one another, you work together. That's what my parents did, and that's what everyone in politics should be able to do if they're willing and capable and committed to being helpful to others.'' ILLUSTRATION: VICKI CRONIS
The Virginian-Pilot
Lynda Bird Robb watches the convention with her husband, Sen.
Charles Robb, with the Virginia Delegation on Monday night.
KEYWORDS: DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION 1996 by CNB