What America Wants in a First Family Now
The presidential election is still pretty far off, but the verdict is in on First Families. We Americans know what we want, and what we don't. We'd like a First Lady to have the style of Jackie Kennedy or Michelle Obama. Oh, and we'd like that stylish First Lady to be Stockard Channing—the one she portrayed in The West Wing. A "live-in older relative with a heart of gold" would be a plus, and if we factor in support for "a friendly dog that bites reporters," that would create a nuclear First Family at least half the country could be solidly behind. And the First Progeny? Send them to private school, we say. And that next generation should be watched over by eagle-eyed Secret Service agents whose loyalty is to the president and First Lady. We feel First Kids' inappropriate behavior should be reported to the parents. What we don't want? Perfection. "Relatable but flawed"—i.e., the way we might see our own families, just maybe?—was the big vote-getter. With an interesting little spike, in the oldest age group, for a First Family that would be "a total mess." Presumably for the entertainment value. Or maybe it's just creeping curmudgeonliness.
By Vanity Fair