Sex Doesn't Always Sell

the comments i've read so far are so FUNNY!!! those who nearly insult the author for criticizing 1st ladies are such feminist extremists... Just looking at it, what he says is pretty true: American candidates' wives ARE conservative, looking pretty but not being too beautiful while Sarkozy's wife IS fresh and outspoken

LOL! Amazing! Was this published for shock value? The author is attempting to pit respectful and dignified women whom girls should look up to against a free spirited sex kitten and find fault with America for not being as ready to accept this super model *** presidential wife as a figurehead companion to one of the most powerful men in France! Ethics, dignity, leadership and honor are not trivial qualities. However, the fact that America values them is perhaps one of reason behind why our nation prospers beyond all other nations. This is not to say our politicians have always been all these things but the people leading our country know Americans are concerned more with values than orgies. Gimme a break Sameer. Get our of your trendy metro-styled world ruled by fashion and social soirees.

An entire article based on "woman as object." It's pretty clear that him and the entrenched political conservatism he perpetrates by making this pseudo-social science argument about what the "public" thinks about its women can't find a role for a woman outside of her fashion sense and her sexuality. Is she beautiful? Is she too aggressive? What is she doing in private? Don't speak to me about women in the political sphere until you get past your own fetishism of female public figures. Kudos to the French for putting us to shame.

I can not wait to have a first lady with a brain and an opinion. We just went tjrough eight long years with a potted plant married to a vegetable

Why are you so angry? This is the truth and it should be. The people elected to run our country should be held to a high standard. No one expects them to be perfect, but no one expects a trollope either, which is just what Bruni would be called if she were the girl living next door to you. Would you want a president who marries such a self-centered woman just because she is beautiful? The first lady should be that a LADY. And And both Ob

About Cindy McClain the author states: "She is also 54, past the point when the American public might perceive her as a sexual being (fairly or unfairly)." This earnest declaration reveals an impressive youthful arrogance. Perhaps the French truly are more progressive in every way, as Carla seems to very much perceive her 53 year-old husband as still a sexual being. Or are only 54 year-old women asexual?

The author is a jerk, he is disrespectful to women. Dosent know what he is talking about.

This author is an idiot, and is insulting to women. Talking about women being sexual beings or not, on behalf of the american public. Most if not all women enjoy sex, at all ages, if they are with a man that knows what he is doing.. The author is what is wrong with america, he is disrespectful of older women. He should spend some time in Europe, they treat older women with respect.

I think it is rediculous to call Hillary Clinton out spoken b\c she verbalized her wishes to not be a house wife. I think today the role of the first lady is not just to be a mind less follower of her husband. They represent America too. The charities and organizations and their career choices speak a lot about the person who, dare we say it, is helping her husband make decisions in the White House.

Well, I am French and I have been living in Ca for 18 years. I feel the French and the Americans are very close, alarge part are onservative and the other part is wild and crazy. I can assure you that A LOT of French do not like the new wife's president for the same reasons some American woud not. Let's see how it turns out, they have been married for such a short time and remember Marie Antoinette had quite a lot of responsability in the fall of Louis the XVI eventhough she had never done any politic. The economy is indeed what concerned the French first hand but the "trophy wife" has been heard in France along with the now well establish nick name of "President bling-bling"! Best regards to all.

What do you all think of laura Bush... obviously she has had no power over her husband's insanity.. I don't know but If I love someone, I would listen at to his/her advices..

Michele Obama has none of the class of Jackie Kennedy, whom she desperately tries to copy. I am sick of seeing her wear jackie style dresses, she needs to get her own identity and style. As far as Carla Bruni goes, who cares? If she has posed naked she wasnt exactly a street prostitute. So she had Mick Jaggers baby. We Americans are too stuffy sometimes, If a politician has a affaie we act like kindergartners who have never heard of sex before.

Michelle and Cindy are both women of class and integrity, and either one would make a perfect first lady. To the author of this article, you are so judgemental towards those who CHOOSE to live a conservative lifestyle. Who are you to say that a more liberal way of life is better than a conservative way of life. Then again you are a man, so I hardly expect you to understand this from a womans point of view. Women deserve the right to choose how they want to live their lives, so don't pass judgements on those who live a different lifestyle than yours!

Michele Obama trying to copy Jackie Kennedy and wearing dreses like her is a turn off. She needs desperatley to develo hyer own style. Michele has non of the class of Jackie. As far as Bruni goes, so what if the woman has posed nude. so what if she had Mick Jagger's baby. If she is good enough for the French President, that is their business. We americans are too stuffy sometimes, A President ha s an affair and we act like kindergartners who have never heard of sex before, Grow up.

Michelle and Cindy are both women of class and integrity, and either one would make a perfect first lady. To the author of this article, you are so judgemental towards those who CHOOSE to live a conservative lifestyle. Who are you to say that a more liberal way of life is better than a conservative way of life. Then again you are a man, so I hardly expect you to understand this from a womans point of view. Women deserve the right to choose how they want to live their lives, so don't pass judgements on those who live a different lifestyle than yours!

confidentially your quite cute! having said that, america seems to be in love with an americana kitsch that has nothing to do with the real world of today it is an image we seem to like . either our first ladies look motherly, or, they look like barbie-dolls(pat nixon now cindy mc cain). the only european acting and looking we had was jacqueline kennedy and hopefully we will have a first lady who had style and brains like raisa gorbachev.

I would personally embrace a First Lady that was just naturally graceful, smart and giving. Beautiful and sexy shouldn't be a negative but surely the public doesn't want a woman that would be an embarrasment with behaviour issues.. I think we would accept and welcome a 1st lade just being real, forthright and taking a role of helping with humanity issues. I think we could use a breath of fresh air, someone with life and energy that will make a difference... I think we should recruit Angelina Jolie..... According to the article we'd rather have Katie Holmes (FYI I like both ladies but the contrast in Katie being elegant and conservative -vs- Angelina being elegant and outwardly broad minded makes my point)