I’ve been re-reading Profiles in Courage, and I found this inspiring story about Senator Thomas Hart Benton of Missouri:

“But his family life was clouded by , , , the long physical and mental illness of the wife to whom he was at all times tender and devoted. On one occasion, which revealed the depth of warm devotion which lay beneath that rough conceit, Benton was entertaining a French priest and other distinguished guests when his wife, not fully dressed, rambled into the room and stared adoringly at her husband. Interrupting the embarrassed silence that followed, Senator Benton with dignity and majesty introduced his wife to the prince and others, seated her by his side, and resumed conversation.”

This story reminds me of President McKinley whose wife, Ida, had epilepsy. She attended state dinners in spite of her infirmity, and if she had a seizure, her husband would very calmly place a napkin over her face to conceal the effects of the seizure. He was said to be always solicitous of his wife’s health and concerned on his deathbed that she be taken care of.

My husband could live up to the standard set by these men, I think, but I wonder how many men could. I wonder if George W. Bush (or John Kerry) could even be elected in this day and time if his wife were mentally ill. Of course, there is the example of Nancy taking care of Ronnie. The American people do admire such faithfulness in adversity. However, most of us do prefer that public figures keep their eccentricities or mental illness or even some physical illnesses, private. Presidents and senators and their families are supposed to be picture perfect, and if not, they are to be at least discreet.