Mrs. Clinton not only first lady to draw fire

January 22, 1996
Web posted at: 11:40 p.m. EST

From White House Correspondent Jill Dougherty

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Hillary Rodham Clinton is under intense scrutiny, with new questions being raised about her involvement in Whitewater and the White House travel office and a federal grand jury subpoena being directed at her.

Combined with her prominent policy-making role in the White House, she has become the subject of much criticism. But, Mrs. Clinton is not the first, first lady to deal with reproach.

As she criss-crosses the country promoting her book while addressing criticism, she said she's taking inspiration from the "first" first lady -- Martha Washington.

"She was referred to as Lady Washington and they thought she was putting on airs and acting much too regally, and every single woman who has been in that position has been criticized in some way or another, almost regardless of what she has chosen to do," Mrs. Clinton said. (153K AIFF sound or 153K WAV sound)

By choosing to lead her husband's effort to reform health care, Mrs. Clinton became a lightning rod for criticism. So did her role model, Eleanor Roosevelt, more than 50 years ago.

Mrs. Roosevelt championed women's emancipation, health care, desegregation and human rights. During the war, she headed up the nation's civilian defense effort. For that she was vilified by some. (111K AIFF sound or 111K WAV sound)

"Roosevelt would get letters (saying), 'Can't you chain that wife of yours up? What is the matter with you? Do you have lace on your pants?' for allowing her to speak out so much," said historian Doris Kearns Goodwin.

Many first ladies have spoken out -- some more loudly than others.

"By and large the first ladies throughout history have played a political role. However that largely has been a covert political role," said historian Carl Anthony.

Nancy Reagan helped to orchestrate her husband's policy, personnel, and public comments. But she acted behind the scenes.

"There were things I longed to say over those eight years but I couldn't," Mrs. Reagan said, laughing as she remembered times she had to bite her tongue. (111K AIFF sound or 111K WAV sound)

Jacqueline Kennedy was a more traditional first lady, concentrating on the social aspects of her role. She traveled widely and was a sponsor of the arts. But she also was her husband's confidant during the Cuban missile crisis.

Barbara Bush took literacy as her personal cause. Rosalyn Carter chose mental health, spearheading legislation through the Congress.

Regardless of the issues, all first ladies -- to some degree -- lost the freedom to speak their minds.

"It doesn't matter what you do, you are going to be criticized for it, and so do what you want to do," said Mrs. Carter. (68K AIFF sound or 68K WAV sound)

Historians say Hillary Rodham Clinton has been unusually overt in her role, and that has taken a toll on her public standing. But they also call Mrs. Clinton a "transitional figure" who is breaking the mold for first ladies to come.