Women, politics, and power: The media's construction of First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Abstract

From the beginning, their open political partnership was hotly discussed and debated in the media. Media attention and concern centered on Rodham Clinton's political power and influence. With her appointment to head the National Health Care Reform Task Force, the Clintons solidified her position in his administration and verified her political power and influence.

This dissertation investigates the print and broadcast media's coverage of First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton during her tenure as head of the National Health Care Reform Task Force, highlighting the manner in which the media constructed this politically active and powerful First Lady. A content analysis of The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, USA Today and ABC, CBS, and NBC's coverage of Rodham Clinton from January 1993 through September 1994 revealed that the media kept the focus on politics as opposed to the traditional social focus First Ladies receive from the media. While primarily politically focused, the media still highlighted the anomaly of having an openly politically active First Lady; thus, the media discussed and critiqued her political influence and power. This type of coverage kept the focus on Rodham Clinton's expansion of the First Lady role and diminished the policy changes she helped craft. While not overt, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton was constructed by a media still adapting to the changes in women's roles.

The "First Lady" position and its accompanying roles and responsibilities evoke fascination, and sometimes contempt, in the American public. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton has drawn considerable attention since campaigning for her husband's successful bid for the Presidency.