Teresa Heinz Kerry just quieter, not silent

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07105/778186-85.stm

She is no longer the outspoken, freewheeling quote-machine of the early 2004 presidential campaign, the woman beside Democratic nominee Sen. John F. Kerry who intrigued voters and frazzled political handlers with her tendency to say exactly what she thought on everything from health care policy to botox, from pre-nups to Rick Santorum.

These days, Teresa Heinz Kerry seems more guarded around the news media. Since her husband's defeat, she's lowered her profile, tending to her various philanthropies and, perhaps, nursing some wounds -- not just from the election but from some snarky portrayals of her in the press.

But get Mrs. Heinz Kerry started on the new book about the environment she co-wrote with her husband, or the free conference on women's health and the environment she's hosting Friday at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown, and she is soon in full roar, albeit in a soft, accented voice. She moves effortlessly from one subject to the other, from the risks of pthalates in nail polish -- "not all nail polish, but some" -- to the percentage of CO2 in the atmosphere and how much time we have left "before everything goes to hell."

Some rich people collect art or sports cars, and Mrs. Heinz Kerry certainly has her share of country houses and Chanel couture. But, as heir to the ketchup fortune of her late husband, Sen. John Heinz, and chair of the $1.3 billion Heinz Endowments, she seems most to relish her role as a kind of connoisseur of brain power, raving about the smart people she's lured to the conference or to her foundation the way some collectors gush about their latest Lamborghini.

[rox63]

1. THK would have been such a wonderful first lady

But instead we are stuck with Pickles, and that "thing" she's married to. :(

[MasonJar]

2. I saw her speak at Emily's List, when she subbed for John at the last

minute. She is totally impressive, very thoughtful and sincere. She is a real lady and a smart one too. She has her head on right even though she controls billions. She grew up in Africa and as a college student she marched against Aparteid in S Africa. Theresa is a woman of substance. The press attacked her so they could get another Bush term. The media needs to have legitimate guidelines since it has gone berserk in the Bush era. The old laws need to be re-issued where local and community service is part of their agenda.