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First Ladies: Constitutional and Job Description Problems?
Author(s) -
Eksterowicz Anthony J.,
Roberts Robert N.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
politics and policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.259
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 1747-1346
pISSN - 1555-5623
DOI - 10.1111/j.1747-1346.2004.tb00190.x
Subject(s) - presidential system , subject (documents) , democracy , power (physics) , cover (algebra) , accountability , political science , law , public administration , engineering , computer science , politics , mechanical engineering , physics , quantum mechanics , library science
A first lady's power and influence is conditioned by many complicated administrative and environmental variables. These variables can present problems for first ladies. However, two often cited problems, the nonconstitutional nature of the first lady's job and the first lady's management of the public‐private divide are either nonexistent or receding in nature respectively. To further mitigate these so‐called problems, we argue that the president should be required to appoint the first lady as a presidential aide or advisor. As a result the first lady would be subject to the same laws and regulations which cover other presidential aides. We believe this will enhance democratic accountability.