Moms in Chief

"Moms in Chief: The Rhetoric of Republican Motherhood and the Spouses of Presidential Nominees, 1992-2016, is an insightful examination of the politics and rhetoric of presidential spouses and aspiring presidential spouses. It breaks new ground in exploring the role these unique political actors play in the American political process. Tammy Vigil has written the authoritative study on this subject that scholars in the field will be citing for decades."--Brian Frederick,...
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"Moms in Chief: The Rhetoric of Republican Motherhood and the Spouses of Presidential Nominees, 1992-2016, is an insightful examination of the politics and rhetoric of presidential spouses and aspiring presidential spouses. It breaks new ground in exploring the role these unique political actors play in the American political process. Tammy Vigil has written the authoritative study on this subject that scholars in the field will be citing for decades."--Brian Frederick, associate professor and chair of the Department of Political Science at Bridgewater State University and coauthor of American Presidential Candidate Spouses: The Public's Perspective

"In this well-researched and timely book, Vigil provides a much-needed critical analysis of the role that candidate spouses play in the strategic messaging of presidential campaigns. In considering the ways in which gender- and sex-based assumptions are made about candidate spouses through the lens of 'republican motherhood,' Vigil reminds us that how we view potential first spouses can also shape public perceptions about the efficacy of women as political actors, both positively and negatively, within the American political system."--Lori Cox Han, professor of political science at Chapman University and coauthor of Women, Power, and Politics: The Fight for Gender Equality in the United States

"Presidential candidate spouses play highly visible, strategic, and active roles in modern campaigns, yet few academic studies have explored these important political actors. In Moms in Chief, Tammy Vigil provides a compelling and engaging analysis of the media coverage, partisan portrayals, and most importantly public communications of presidential candidate spouses from Barbara Bush and Hillary Clinton in 1992 through Melania Trump and Bill Clinton in 2016. By employing the lens of republican motherhood, the book illustrates the highly gendered and traditional expectations American society continues to have for women in the role of presidential candidate spouse. This book should be required reading for anyone interested in the presidency, campaigns, or the role of gender in US politics."--Laurel Elder, professor of political science at Hartwick College and coauthor of American Presidential Candidate Spouses: The Public's Perspective