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    Famous Last Words: "I'm More Like Lorena Bobbitt Than Hillary"

    Posted Monday, March 10, 2008 5:01 PM | By Melinda Henneberger
    Right here on Page 1 of the political-spouse handbook, it says that in event of scandal, you will show up, preferably in pearls, medicated if necessary, and manage at least a small smile while the father of your children explains that he never, ever meant to let you down. Oh, and it strongly suggests that unless he leaves you, you will stay married. Sometimes, you hear women in political life vow that would never be them—as when Louisiana Sen. David Vitter's wife, Wendy, said in 2000 that if her husband ever carried on the way Bill Clinton had, "I'm a lot more like Lorena Bobbitt than Hillary. If he does something like that, I'm walking away with one thing, and it's not alimony, trust me.''  Last year, though, after Vitter was linked to the D.C. madam, she stepped right up to the microphone and said this: "David is my best friend. Some people said to me they wouldn't want to be in my shoes. I stand before you to say I am proud to be Wendy Vitter." Her business, of course, though like Hanna I'd like to think I'd say time for a new best friend. So, what is Hillary supposed to say about her governor? As voters seem to like her better when she's misty-eyed, wronged, or shaking her fist at the heavens, she might help herself by even glancingly referencing her own Silda Spitzer moments. But I really hope she doesn't—and for her, of course, the handbook no longer applies.

     

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