“Wow, this election is really something, isn’t it?” Hubby’s remark interrupted the commentary on the Sunday morning cable news show. The upcoming Presidential election, with its abrupt change at the top of the ticket, had us watching more political news than we usually did. And, with a woman as a major contender for the top job, I was pretty much glued to the many cable channels available.
Everyone has an opinion, particularly when it comes to politics, and our house is no different. I’d been interested in news and the political scene since I was a little girl; my dad would regularly pull me out of doing the dishes after dinner to watch the Huntley and Brinkley report on NBC. My interest was so profound, I decided to pursue and received an undergraduate degree in Political Science, dreaming of one-day working in Washington. Sadly, the closest I ever came was watching every season of “The West Wing” along with binging re-runs.
Running for political office has never been one of my ambitions. My hubby, on the other hand, has always wanted to be President of the United States and is not shy about letting this be known. He loves to debate policy and anytime there’s any sort of political situation or crisis, he’s ready with a solution. “If they’d just ask me,” he often says ruefully, “I’d tell them how to handle this. I could be President you know - and a good one!”
Which usually prompts my response: “So, when are you going to announce?” I ask the tongue-in-cheek question, knowing full well that, at this point in his life, securing the perfect tee time is probably more important than hearing “Hail to the Chief.”
“You know, if you’re the President, you can play golf at Camp David any time you want” I tease. “I hear President Eisenhower had a small course built there with a driving range right near the helicopter landing zone.” Now it was hubby’s turn to chuckle. “And you could be the first lady and a darned good one at that.”
I drifted off into a daydream, visions of the first lady I could be, dancing in my head. First, and most importantly, I would have my very own special cause, a project that would make a huge difference in society and the lives of others. Nancy Reagan had “Just Say No,” Lady Bird Johnson took on the “beautification” of America’s highways and Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” left some mighty big shoes to fill.
I could also re-decorate the White House. Heaven knows, every home needs a little updating now and then. And, bonus, I’d get to upgrade my wardrobe and wear Chanel suits like Jackie Kennedy did. I smiled, my daydreaming continuing on to other projects and responsibilities I might undertake. Certainly, there would be many events to host such as the traditional Easter Egg Roll on the south lawn, the lighting of the National Christmas tree and, of course, hosting state dinners.
And then it dawned on me. As First Lady, I could order new dishes! How exciting would that be? I’ve always loved collecting china; it’s equal parts passion and obsession. The idea I could help design a new set and then have it become part of the White House China Collection was beyond thrilling. The new dishes would be used at formal occasions and then displayed for posterity in the White House. Oh my gosh! I would finally have my very own “Dish Room!”
“Hey hon, are you listening? I think you nodded off there for a bit.” His voice brought me back to reality with a jolt. “I wonder who she’ll pick as a running mate. Do you have any thoughts?”
My daydream ended abruptly. Sadly, I realized a meeting with the head designer at Lenox, the producer of the White House state china, wouldn’t happen anytime soon. Instead, I answered hubby with a little sympathy: “I’m sorry you won’t be President this time around, hon. I know you’d do a great job. Maybe next lifetime.”
I had realized that the possibility of having a woman elected president and changing history was so much more important than having my own “Dish Room.” I’m going to have to leave the dish designing to the potential new First Gentleman, but I sure would love it if he called and asked me to take on the project with him.
© 2024 Annie Sokoloff
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