Abstract
Abstract Politicians caught in scandal often hold a press conference where they address sexual impropriety in the United States. The ‘political wife’ typically stands next to her husband, a symbol of spousal support that has received significant attention from the media. This article investigates the reactions of survey respondents to three news clips of sex-scandal press conferences, including those of former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford and former New York Congressman Anthony Weiner. The political wife plays a different role at each news event. Silda Spitzer is the present and silent wife; Jenny Sanford is the absent wife; and Huma Abedin is the present and vocal wife. Findings indicate that gender, marital status and age impact respondents’ reactions to scandals.
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