Affective Evaluations of First Ladies: A Comparison of Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush

Abstract

This study examines affective evaluations toward Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush during their tenure as first ladies and during Hillary Clinton's subsequent time as a U.S. senator. It was hypothesized that first ladies, rather than being above partisan politics, are evaluated in the same partisan and ideological manner as most political candidates. It was also hypothesized that Laura Bush, as a more traditional first lady, may receive more support from those who are associated with more traditional lifestyles and values. Ultimately, the strongest sources of affect toward first ladies prove to be partisanship and ideology. Moreover, when comparing ideal first ladies, liberals and women prefer Hillary Clinton, and white males and conservatives tend to prefer Nancy Reagan to Laura Bush.

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