What's the deal with Teresa Kerry "grimacing"

[question everything]

when John kissed her after the winning in WI? Seems that some "pundits' are making a bid deal of this...

Give me a break!


http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/4621213.html

Smooch analysis

In politics, there apparently is no such thing as a simple kiss, even when the smooch lands on the candidate's spouse. Richard Leiby of the Washington Post's "Reliable Source" was among many observers to note that Teresa Heinz Kerry seemed to grimace when her jubilant husband kissed her cheek during his victory celebration in Wisconsin last week.

"Was it a repudiation of the famous PDA by Al Gore, whose lingering lip lock on his wife, Tipper. wowed the 2000 Democratic National Convention?" Leiby wondered. "A sign of stress? An inner scream? Conservative radio partisan Rush Limbaugh flatly declared: 'It is obvious that Teresa doesn't want to be there.' "

Not so, a spokeswoman for Sen. John Kerry told Leiby. "I wasn't paying attention to the length or the type of kiss that they had, but absolutely it was warm and appropriate," said Christine Anderson. "They are an incredibly warm couple, and you don't have to spend much time around them to tell that."

[ringmastery]

1. *roll eyes*

She prefers to speak in front of small groups and the hordes of tv cameras, and hundreds of people in the room are a bit intimidating to her.

Hell, wouldn't they be to most of us?

[JI7]

6. she also said

on cspan when she was meeting people after the speeches was over, she said she isn't good at big rally type events and doesn't give those type of speeches that get the crowd rising and cheering as ted kennedy did. but the audience does love the speeches she gives. it's a contrast between the one she gave and the one that ted kennedy gave afterwards. but both were good in their own way.

[bucknaked]

2. My girlfriend can't stand PDoA...

You could be proposing to her in the most fairy-tale setting/scenario, and she'd immediately compose herself if anybody happened to walk by.

Anyway, as far as Theresa, to me, she smacks of Bess Truman. Reluctantive, though supportive.

[Yupster]

5. I would think that if she didn't

want to be in the public eye, she wouldn't have married a second senator after her first senator husband died.

[JI7]

8. she doesn't mind the public

after all she is campaigning for her husband. she is just uncomfortable in standing out in front of large crowds. she is more of a one on one type person.

[flpoljunkie]

3. Give me a break, is right. Why post schlock like this?

The Repugs will stoop to anything to try and besmirch John Kerry--witness this lame attempt to make something out of a JK/THK quick buss at his Wisconsin victory speech. Perhaps she is shy. Who the hell cares?

[question everything]

16. Need to keep vigil

on anything that Rove and company will try to dig - real or imaginary - crap on the nominee (Kerry or Edwards). We cannot afford to be taken off guard by any stupid comment. And Kerry was unnerved by something recently - cannot remember what, now.

[bigtree]

4. John and Teresa are on fire

They seem to have a warm and close relationship. I like Teresa's candid reactions.

[MoonRiver]

7. I've thought a lot about Teresa's somewhat unusual demeanor.

It's been apparent for awhile. I think she's a very private person. Possibly displays of public affection somewhat offend her, or throw her off her center. She's very much into meditation alternative medicine, plus many other cool things. To me she appears an extremely serious, deep thinker who is a little putoff by the glitzy and, let's face it, phony atmosphere surrounding a presidential race. Once she's First Lady, though, watch out! IMO, this woman will give Eleanor Roosevelt a run for her money in terms of supporting progressive issues.

[JI7]

9. she is nice to listen to

her speeches are always a little different from most political speeches. i remember the first time i saw her speak on tv i was first expecting something similar to the speeches given by john kerry and other kerry supporters. but her approach was very different, while at the same time still hitting many policy issues. every single person who has met her all seem to love her. i know of nobody who actually knows her that have a bad thing to say about her.

[MoonRiver]

10. Yes, her voice has a soothing, relaxing affect on me.

She sort of takes listeners away from the loud and frenzied atmosphere of any political campaign, especially one that's winning. I believe that she'll be magnificant once Kerry wins. But as an introvert, which I sense she is, I can testify that we need quiet time and space to recoup from a lot of socializing.

[Scott Lee]

11. Would YOU want to be kissed by that zombie?

I personally would find it creepy. But hey, she needs the political support to keep the Heinz fortune as intact as possible. The things you do for money.

[question everything]

17. One person's zombie is another's bridegroom ;-)

[Eloriel]

12. I noticed that -- it was absolutely painful

For both her, apparently, and anyone who picked up on it at the time while watching.

But then, I'd grimace too. Maybe she can take acting lessons?

[polpilot]

14. I vote for 'acting lessons'. Take care of the problem NOW!

z

[LizW]

13. I think politician/politician spouse PDoA looks fake

usually because it sort of is.

Think about it. Even the most comfortable and loving spouses would get a little weird knowing that everyone is scrutinizing their every kiss and handhold. So they get all self conscious. If they don't kiss, people think it's strange, and if they kiss too long, the press snickers.

All I really ask is that a president and first lady be remotely believable as a loving couple. I love Al and Tipper Gore, they are great together. Even Bill and Hillary, for all the upheaval apparent in that relationship, still obviously love each other.

Bush and Laura, on the other hand, creep me out. I don't even see them as a husband and wife. She's just a prop. I think it has something to do with the total absence of any parenting skills, (or children, for that matter. Where are those girls?) and the fact that she's devoid of personality and he's a freaking creep.

[question everything]

18. And then there is Nancy Reagan n/t

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

15. Well.....

[Shanty Oilish]

19. Ok, she doesn't want to be there. But she IS there.

She must really love him.
We don't know, maybe it's the crowd, the noise, the spotlight, or maybe she's got a rheumatism. But she's there.