The significance of spouses in presidential campaigns has increased exponentially with the proliferation of news outlets. In many cases the result has been one that marginalizes the role, particularly of women, into carefully controlled persona's to not upset the applecart. Witness the attention and focus on those spouses who step out of the box, i.e., Teresa Heinz Kerry. Granted it wasn't the primary reason he lost his bid but does anyone doubt that John Kerry lost some votes because people didn't like her?

Let us not forget those candidates whose wives came under scrutiny and innuendo. Do the names Michael and Kitty Dukakis ring a bell? Granted, Dukakis had other problems with his 1988 campaign against George Bush, Sr., but according to Source Watch, a project for the Center for Media and Democracy, Lee Atwater wrote a deathbed apology in 1991, to Dukakis for his role in spreading the rumor that there was a picture of Kitty Dukakis burning an American flag in protest of the Vietnam War. At the time the rumor began, Dukakis was 17 points ahead of Bush in opinion polls and the rumor was the beginning of a steady erosion of that lead. No picture was ever found. Atwater was Bush Sr.'s 1988 campaign adviser.

To many, one's choice in spouse indicates what kind of person they are. Fred Thompson's wife age and sexpot appearance provide fodder and grist for gossip but does not seem to deter from focus on his political positions. To some, Thompson's marriage indicates what type of man he is and how he views women. In a close race dependent on female voters, that could be significant. Rudy Giuliani is in a similar position having left his former wife as the result of infidelity.

And then there is the big kahuna. Does anyone doubt the role Hillary Clinton played in the success of her husband's first successful bid for the presidency when she appeared with him on 60 Minutes to diffuse the mud-slinging of infidelity? It is not only the spouse that is significant. It is the spousal relationship that is paramount in assessing the candidate's character. How do they relate to each other and how do they deal with problems?

The role of spouses in the 2008 election is probably the most significant because of Hillary and Bill Clinton. If she were not a formidable competent candidate, the role of Bill Clinton as her spouse would not be enough to secure Hillary's viability. However, the fact that she is viable and that the public has confidence in Bill is a great comfort factor when faced with the prospect of electing this country's first female president. This is not a man prone to stereotype or marginalization that needs to be introduced to the public. The public knows what they are getting with Bill. That can only help Hillary and it is significant.