Feminist praise seems only to apply to Democratic wives, no matter the level of independence those on the Right achieve.
The equality, choice, and de-objectification that modern feminism holds as its tenets all boil down to independence: independence from comparison to men, from imposition, from use, from burden. Independence of thought, surely, is a significant component. The Harris-Walz campaign has released an advertisement on just this point.
Yet when wives of Republican politicians have opinions of their own, the Left claims a conflict of interest or simply denigrates their lack of engagement. It is the opposite of the feminist ardor granted to Democratic spouses.
Consider the constant questioning of Usha Vance, wife of Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH). The media cannot fathom her support for her senator and vice presidential candidate husband, going so far as to wonder whether she is sociopathic. Many such ridiculous claims color Usha Vance’s internet profile, all of which revolve around complaints. Whether she is too silent, secretly hates her husband, or has given in to Trumpian pressure, the dissatisfaction lies in Usha Vance’s unfortunately uncommon devotion to her marriage — none of which apply to media analysis of Gwen Walz, who has charted a similar course in supporting her husband, Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN).
Her true and particular leanings may be unclear, but what is evident is that Usha Vance has exactly the sort of independence feminists tout as their goal. Granted, hers is an independence from the leftist woman’s self-focused norm, but it is also an independence from the more general expectations that might have kept her from pursuing a good: A definite strength of will characterizes Usha Vance’s desires for both robust education and family life.
Criticism of Ginni Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, follows a similar path. Ginni Thomas’s political activism has produced heaps of ethics controversies for her husband and constitutes much of the bias-concerned vitriol toward the court’s Republican-appointed justices. The reality is that, of course, Ginni Thomas has her own opinions and likes to share them — it is good that she can think! Feminists opposed to the idea are either truly pessimistic about society’s progress or see zero worth in a dissident woman.
Then, there is always Melania Trump, wife of former President Donald Trump, who has run the media in circles over the past nine years. Speculation went wild over what must be a prisonlike marriage for the former first lady, only to end in the revelation that she is a devoted wife with some contrarian opinions of her own, specifically on abortion.
Yes, part of the feminist point is independence from men, but Democrats’ opposition to marriage does not stop their support of it when advantageous. Former first lady Michelle Obama is beloved for her marriage to former President Barack Obama, even floated by countless Democratic voters as a presidential hopeful to replace President Joe Biden.
For Michelle Obama, her wifely devotion and stable course have been strengths — they are love and support, much like media favor for second gentleman Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris. Whatever “wife guy energy” means, Emhoff has been a political surrogate for Harris, demasculinized to the point of being praised for not diverging from his wife’s views. Meanwhile, his incriminating past draws no ire from watchful media.
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More than any woman in the political eye right now, Usha Vance is the embodiment of all the good hopes that feminists have for women. She is highly educated, possibly even more so than her husband, has not let obstacles dissuade her, and is freely choosing her position. That free choice should be the default assumption.
A Slate article on Usha Vance nearly hit the nail on the head in assessing that “Vance is intelligent and educated and thoughtful; she knows who she married.” But the author misses the mark in portraying Usha Vance’s staying power as banal and negative: By the Left’s standards, she is excelling as a woman. We see very little of this side from the feminist movement, however, because it rejects it as the obvious end. And the Democratic Party backs its misguidance.