Presidential wives already active in political arena

Lynne Cheney and Hadassah Lieberman, wives of vice presidential candidates Dick Cheney and Joseph Lieberman, don't relegate themselves to the role of a smiling, silent sidekick while their husbands fight for the second highest office in the nation. For years both have been known in Washington as fierce politicos in their own right. \nCheney, born Lynne Vincent in 1941 in Casper, Wyo., developed an early interest in writing and philosophy. After graduating from high school -- where she both met her husband and was crowned homecoming queen -- in 1958, Cheney went on to get her B.A. from Colorado College. She then got an M.A. in English from University of Colorado. She married high school sweetheart Dick and began an active, public career as a writer, ethicist and supporter of the humanities.\nLieberman's background couldn't be more different, although she too has spent most of her life in public service. Lieberman's parents were Holocaust survivors who decided to seek a better life in the United States. In 1949, when Hadassah was 1 year old, the family moved to Massachusetts. \nSome would say politics and theater go hand in hand, and Lieberman found the two to be a perfect match. In 1970, long before her career in the public light began, Lieberman graduated from Boston University with a B.A. in government and dramatics. The following year she earned a master's degree in international relations and American government. The young scholar from Prague was ready to take on a wide audience. \nAfter completing their education, Cheney found her calling in education reform and Lieberman found hers in health care reform. \nFrom 1986-93, Cheney was chairwoman for the National Endowment for the Humanities and since 1993 has been a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, according to www.georgewbush.com. She is a member of Gov. George W. Bush's education team and has spoken often in favor of higher education standards in public schools. Cheney has also voiced support for mandatory testing of students to evaluate the effectiveness of their instruction.\nSupporters say her work at the NEH helped Cheney develop a critical understanding of education reform. This understanding, they say, can be a valuable asset to Bush should he become president. \nLieberman has organized women's national and international health conferences and is on the board of directors of a national youth development program for adolescent girls. In addition, she has worked on programs to support children and adults with disabilities and is on the board of directors of the Auschwitz Jewish Center foundation.\nLieberman was introduced to her husband in 1983, after a failed marriage to Rabbi Gordon Tucker. They married a year after meeting, and in 1988 her husband became Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman. Lieberman has a son, Ethan, from her first marriage, and a daughter with the vice presidential nominee. \nThe Cheneys have two daughters, Mary and Elizabeth, and three granddaughters. Cheney came under criticism after the Republican National Convention for denying that Mary had publicly declared that she was gay. Mary has worked as gay and lesbian corporate relations manager for Coors Brewing Co., and her co-workers there said they have often seen Mary with her "life partner," but Cheney told ABC-TV journalist Cokie Roberts that she does not discuss her daughters' personal lives and that Mary had never admitted "such a thing," according to www.salon.com.\nCheney has long advocated the "compassionate conservatism" her husband and Bush promise to give to Americans. In her 1995 book "Telling the Truth," Cheney criticized the hype of political correctness and suggested a return to a strong moral code that emphasizes honesty and integrity.\nLieberman, though looking at the issue from a Democratic angle, also embraces the same values. She empathizes with the difficult life her parents had before coming to America. Speaking today to multicultural audiences, Lieberman still identifies with her Eastern European roots. Soon after her husband was chosen as Gore's running mate, Lieberman spoke to a group of journalists about the experience.\n"I'm overwhelmed by this incredible moment in time, in history, in the history of my family and the history of many immigrants who are sharing this feeling with us," Lieberman said. \nThough not often as visible on TV or in newspapers as their husbands, Cheney and Lieberman continue to take an activist role in the presidential campaign. Their message of reform and return to core values has been received well by voters, who look to them not merely as a second lady hopefuls, but important leaders for the country in the next century.