Always be grifting. But as we prepare to welcome first female VP, it is time to rethink the role of first/second spouses. Doug Emhoff is nobly resigning from his law firm. But he didn't have to do that. It's easy to imagine a different VP spouse instead raising his hourly rate
https://twitter.com/davidfrum/status/1336785163787915265
The Jill Biden model - spouse continues to work, but in a way that raises no conflicts of interests - is lovely, but cannot be expected to recur, especially once there's a first female president.
2/x
2/x
The Trumps were an extreme case of abuse of office for private gain. But even more normal people will be exposed to undue temptation in the first/second spouse role. 3/x
And it's unrealistic to say, "Oh, she/he will be a professional in his/her own right." If that spouse is in any kind of business, of course their business will suddenly improve with a spouse in first/second office in land. 4/x
We need to move to a culture of recognizing spouse of President / VP as a *job.* Pay that job as if cabinet rank. Provide appropriate security clearances. Restrict outside activities. Require every family member who receives Secret Service protection to publish tax returns. END
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