As Cherie Blair is "the story" in the newspapers this morning, it's got me wondering whether she is an asset or liability to Tony Blair from a political perspective. Clearly, she's an accomplished professional (curious to know if anyone here has met her/had dealings with her?), but she also, IMO is becoming increasingly unlikeable as more of her personality emerges without the benefit of carefully screened PR and spin doctors. Of course, it's true that a media generated view of her might not be accurate, but she seems a bit of a loose cannon with her various lifestyle gurus, questionable property deals, ill judged public comments, etc. Or has she simply gotten a raw deal from the media? What's your opinion of her?
And, thinking about politician's spouses in general, does it have any bearing on their public reputation/success? Cetainly we've seen many profiles on Sandra Howard, Ffion Hague, and are seeing more of Sarah Brown so they are clearly viewed as assets to staid public figures....Does a likeable spouse make any difference to a politician's career/public profile?