The Reluctant First Lady (6 page)

A low, continuous sound arose from the reporters as they shifted in their seats, whispered to the reporter sitting next to them, and leaned forward a bit more to hear Mrs. Taylor better. Their eyes shifted quickly from Ashley’s face to President-elect Taylor’s in an attempt to gauge his reaction to her statement. There was none.

“My decision was not made lightly or on a whim. While I’ve never been interested in politics, I strongly believe Michael will be a great president, which is one of the reasons I campaigned for him so vigorously over the last year. It’s never been a secret that I don’t enjoy politics or being in the political arena.

“My passion is art and, as many of you know, I’m the director of the Cameron Museum of Art in Manhattan. I love my job, and I don’t believe I should have to give up what I love any more than I would expect my husband to give up his interests for me. Now that Michael has been elected, I’ll be returning to New York.

“Isn’t it time to ask the question: Is the First Lady role a necessity or merely a byproduct of being the wife of the elected president? I believe that each woman, and someday man, should have the choice of whether or not they want to be part of their spouse’s political life. I don’t believe it should be a foregone conclusion.

“Previous First Ladies have considered it an honor to work alongside their husbands and have championed many important causes while their husbands were in office. We’ve been very fortunate to have First Ladies who were so passionate and dedicated to their work, and I salute them.

“Except for tradition, why does this have to be so complicated, so shocking? We’re already a nation of two-career families. That’s not new. We already have commuter marriages where husbands and wives live in different cities due to their jobs. That’s not new. Isn’t it time for current family dynamics and traditions to intersect with past, established customs? Or in other words, isn’t this an issue whose time has come?

“I hope in the days and weeks to come, you’ll begin to recognize my decision isn’t so implausible but actually has merit. Thank you for your time. If you have any questions, I’ll be happy to answer them.”

Jack stepped forward to handle the avalanche of questions. He pointed to a reporter. “Chuck, your question?”

“Mrs. Taylor, do you think it was fair to the American public to withhold this information prior to the election?”

Ashley adjusted the microphone. “I don’t think it was a matter of fairness. It wasn’t pertinent, in my opinion. The public was electing a president, not a First Lady.”

Jack pointed to another reporter. “Stan, your question?”

“Mrs. Taylor, other educated, professional women have been in your shoes, yet they chose to become the First Lady and work alongside their husbands. Why can’t you do the same?”

“Again, I believe that whether or not the spouse of the president steps into that role should be a choice, not a foregone conclusion.”

Stan pushed for another question before Jack could call on someone else. “If art is your passion, wouldn’t you have more impact working on a national level than working at the Manhattan museum of art?”

Ashley leveled a determined look at the reporter. “I think it comes down to how you want to interact with your passion. As the director of the museum, I deal firsthand with all the details associated with art collections: procuring, exhibiting, storing valuable art, exchanges with other museums, overseeing research projects and educational programs, fund-raising, and writing grant proposals and journal articles. Plus our museums promotes art internationally, not just here at home. I like the hands-on aspect of my job. I’m not interested in being a figurehead. I’d rather be in the thick of things.”

Jack called on another reporter.

“Mrs. Taylor, do you realize the negative impact your decision could have on your husband’s presidency?”

Ashley smiled. “Did you vote for my husband? No, don’t tell me; that was a hypothetical question. I don’t think you’re giving Michael as much credit as he deserves. He’s very smart and resourceful and an excellent problem solver. Why should my decision have a negative impact? I believe that’s faulty thinking. My husband’s decisions on key issues have nothing to do with whether or not I’m living in the White House. My choice becomes an issue only when others make it an issue.”

“Sherry, your question,” Jack indicated with a nod of his head.

A female reporter stood. “Forgive me for being blunt, Mrs. Taylor, but is there a problem in your marriage?”

Jack stepped forward to take over, but Ashley stopped him from commandeering the microphone.

Ashley stared the woman down. “That’s exactly the kind of assumption I expected.

“Michael and I do not have a problem in our marriage. We don’t agree on the position I’m taking, but I’ll let him tell you that himself. The bigger concern I have is that you immediately jumped to that conclusion. I fully expect when I return to New York that rumors will begin to circulate about our marriage. They won’t be true, but that won’t stop the rumor mill. I love my husband and he loves me. People can agree to disagree and still love one another.”

Jack covered the microphone with his hand and turned his back to the audience of reporters. “I think I should stop the questions and let Michael talk.”

Ashley whispered, “I’d rather my portion of the press conference not end with that question. I’d like to answer one more question.”

Jack nodded. He turned, announced there was time for one more question and called on another reporter.

“Mrs. Taylor, would you be more specific about what you plan to do or not do regarding the role of First Lady?”

“First, I don’t think of myself as the First Lady. I’m not going to live in the White House except when I come to visit my husband. I have an apartment in New York, and like many other commuter marriages, Michael and I will live in two cities. I will commute back and forth between the two residences, just as I have while he was in Congress.

“When I’m here, I’d rather spend time with Michael away from all of the political and social influences. However, I’ll definitely be at the inauguration and all of the activities surrounding it. Plus, it’s possible I might attend some formal dinners when I’m here after that. I’m sure circumstances will arise that I can’t anticipate at the moment. I feel confident that as new situations come up, Michael and I will find ways to work through them. My time is up. Thank you for listening.”

Ashley turned and sat down next to her husband and children.

Jack introduced Michael. “Now, President-elect Taylor would like to say a few words.”

Michael stood and went forward to the microphone. “Good morning. I hope you got a better night’s sleep than I did.”

The reporters laughed and shook their heads.

Michael continued. “I’m sure you’re all wondering what I think about Ashley’s decision.” He looked out at the sea of reporters, and they were nodding their heads.

“First, I’d like to address a question that was directed to my wife regarding whether this information was deliberately withheld from the public during my campaign. The answer is no.

“While I knew Ashley wasn’t interested in politics, she campaigned for me ardently. She worked as hard as anyone to help get me elected. I had hoped through her involvement in the campaign that she would want to join me in the White House. Not until after the election did she make her intentions finally clear.

“I believe previous First Ladies have been tremendous assets to their husbands’ administrations and we, as a nation, have benefited from their work. My wife wants something different, and I’m trying to honor her decision. I can’t exactly drag her by the hair to the White House, now, can I?”

Laughter broke out again among the reporters.

“I recognize what a surprise this must be to the American people because this is the first time the wife of a president has declined to be involved in her husband’s presidency. But, in actuality, whether she likes the label or not, she is and will be the First Lady as long as I’m president. Her rejection is aimed only at the traditional role past First Ladies have filled; however, I have great faith in my administration. Certainly it’ll take some getting used to, but in the end, we’ll reorganize certain responsibilities that past First Ladies have handled. The days ahead will bring greater clarity as to what type of needs exist and how best to fill them.”

Jack called on another reporter.

“Congratulations on your overwhelming victory last night. Would you clarify your position on Afghanistan?”

Jack immediately stepped in. “This isn’t the time for questions regarding policy issues. Additional press conferences will be scheduled at a later date to discuss other topics. Thank you all for coming.”

Michael, Ashley, and the twins exited the ballroom. When they were out of sight and earshot of the reporters, Jack asked Michael, “Would you like to meet now to debrief the press conference, or would you prefer to do it later?”

Michael’s face was like a steel mask except for the flexing of his jaw muscle. “Schedule a meeting for later, say in an hour back at our headquarters. I want to escort Ashley back to our suite. I’ll see you in an hour.”

In another part of Washington, Ted Hoffman, Speaker of the House and a member of the opposition party, turned off the television and smiled at the other men in the room. “A huge gift has just landed in our lap. It’s time to hold a press conference of our own.”

8

The reaction to the early morning press conference was swift and varied as network news, cable news channels, special interest groups, and even late-night comedians weighed in with their opinions. Within minutes of the press conference, a media frenzy had begun and a national debate was underway.

NBC News

“President-elect Michael Taylor and Mrs. Ashley Taylor just concluded a press conference in which it was confirmed that Mrs. Taylor does not intend to uphold the duties of the First Lady. Mrs. Taylor stated she’ll be returning to her job as the director of the Cameron Museum of Art in Manhattan, one of the most prestigious museums in the nation. At the press conference this morning, one day after Taylor was elected by a significant majority, Mrs. Taylor had this to say.”

The tape rolled as millions of viewers watched Ashley give the speech she’d delivered earlier outlining the reasons for her decision to return to work in New York.

Brian Williams noted, “This is a completely unprecedented situation that raises many questions and observations.” Williams turned to address Tom Brokaw. “I really don’t know what to say. It’s such surprising news. I’m sure as we receive additional information, we’ll see how the White House intends to respond.”

Brokaw concurred. “It’s very unorthodox. First Ladies have served alongside their husbands since the founding of the presidency in 1789. The only exception was when James Buchanan was president. He wasn’t married and asked his niece to fill in as hostess for the White House. Most First Ladies have tended to champion causes they were interested in that were relevant to their times. Mrs. Taylor will be the first president’s wife who has refused to accept the traditional role.”

Matt Lauer weighed in. “It makes one wonder if there isn’t more to the story than we’re hearing. This news seems to have come out of nowhere. Surely there must have been some understanding between President-elect and Mrs. Taylor.”

Brokaw added, “I think it’s too soon to speculate about anything at this point. What we do know is that past First Ladies have worked alongside their husbands while they were in the White House and sponsored many noble causes such as ending childhood obesity, literacy, human rights, and healthcare reform. The list of causes goes on and on.

“In Mrs. Taylor’s case, she says she enjoys a more hands-on approach in regards to the arts and finds that infinitely more rewarding than heading up any type of national program.”

Williams spoke again. “To wrap things up, we were just informed that Mrs. Ashley Taylor, the wife of President-elect Taylor, does not intend to assume the role of the First Lady. She will be returning to New York and her job as the director of the Cameron Museum of Art. Stay tuned for additional news regarding this unparalleled turn of events. Back to you, Matt and Savannah.”

Fox News

“I’m still shocked that Mrs. Taylor is rejecting her role as America’s First Lady. She’s thumbing her nose at a tradition that’s over two hundred years old.”

Sean Hannity continued. “You have to wonder why President-elect Taylor even bothered to run for office knowing his wife’s position. And don’t think for one minute he didn’t know. They may try to tell us that, but don’t you believe it. He knew.”

Bill O’Reilly interjected, “I wonder what’s wrong with her. There’s got to be something wrong with a woman who blatantly throws a position of honor that has been bestowed on her back into the very faces of the good American people who voted for her husband.

“Here’s the first example of what electing a Berkeley-educated, bleeding-heart liberal into the White House looks like. Now he and his wife are showing their true colors. Their behavior is clearly outside the mainstream values. Who does she think she is?” O’Reilly asked.

“Maybe she’s doing it to bring publicity to the museum of art she’s so fired up about. I mean, anything’s possible with a woman who would do something like this. Maybe we should have another election. I wonder who’d win if we had a ‘do-over’ election now that this has been made public,” Hannity joked.

O’Reilly added, “I’d like to point out how Mrs. Taylor was dressed for today’s press conference. I mean she practically had on a kimono. She’s untraditional in every sense of the word. Maybe it’s a good thing she’s refusing to become the First Lady. What kind of role model will she be for our children?”

MSNBC

“Yowza,” Rachel Maddow cheered. “It’s about time someone brought this issue into the forefront. Personally, as a woman, I’m proud of her. I think she’s setting a wonderful example for other women and young girls.

“Data from the Department of Labor shows us that out of the one hundred and twenty-two million women ages sixteen and over, seventy-two million women, or 59.2 percent, were labor-force participants in the United States with 74 percent of those working full-time.