With all the talk of primaries and family values I was wondering how the candidates stacked up against each other in marriages and divorces. Here is what I found.

Hillary Clinton- Probably one of the most famous marriages of all our candidates. Bill and Hillary married in 1975 on October 11. Through trials and tribulations, mostly due to Mr. Clinton’s inability to keep his pants zipped, or his cigars to himself…they have managed to keep their marriage together for more than 32 years. There are conflicting reports as to whether their marriage is for love, and is happy, although both of their books claim that they are very happy and committed. They have one very devoted child, a daughter, Chelsea Clinton.

Mitt Romney-Maybe one of the longest lasting unions since Mitt met his wife, Ann, in elementary school. It must be love. They married on March 21, 1969. They have five sons: Taggart, Matthew, Joshua, Benjamin, and Craig.

John Edwards – John and Elizabeth met while they were both in law school and married for the first time July 30, 1977 and again, (yes, to each other) on their 30th wedding anniversary! Isn’t that romantic! Considering all the sad issues they a have been through, I believe it speaks to a very strong union. Losing a child, Lucius Wade, in 1996 as well as Elizabeth’s cancer scares would tear apart many, but it seems to have made them stronger. Edwards have 3 surviving children: Catharine “Cate”, Emma Claire, Jack Atticus. (note: August 8, 2008 Mr. Edwards admitted to having an affair during the 2006 campaign. Makes you wonder if there are ANY good politicians out there!)

Fred Thompson-Fred Thompson isn’t the only candidate said to have a Trophy wife about the same ages as his first group of children. Fred met Jeri in line at the grocery store in 1996; they married June 29, 2002 after a tumultuous courtship in which they broke up at least once. From the dates of their wedding and subsequent birth of their first child, it looks like Mrs. Thompson was several months with child upon their nuptials. They have two young children: Hayden, and. Samuel. Fred was married previously when he was only 17 years old to Sara Elizabeth Lindsey they had three children together: Frederick, Daniel and Elizabeth. Tragically, Elizabeth reportedly died of a drug overdose in January 2002, when she was 38 years old.

John McCain-One has to wonder at the divorce and marriage dates of John McCain, however his long marriage to his second wife also speaks volumes. Maybe Mr. McCain grew up or maybe being a POW did contribute to his divorce from his first wife Carol, whom he met in 64 and married in 65. They had three children: Doug, Andrew and Sidney Ann. Reportedly Carol’s new husband adopted the boys after he married Carol but I cannot find anything saying he adopted the daughter. These children must have been near adults at the time of their adoption since Carol and John did not divorce until 1980 when John married his second wife Cindy one month after his divorce to Carol was final. John is 17 years older than Cindy. As I mentioned previously they have had a long marriage, and from all accounts, they are still in love even though Cindy has suffered from drug addition, which she has overcome. They have four children: Meghan, John, James and Bridget.

Barack Obama-The youngest among our presidential contenders, “Barry” met Michelle at a law firm that Michelle worked for in 1989. They married on October 18, 1992. So far, due to their young ages and relative newness on the political landscape there is nothing torrid or sensational to report about the couple’s marriage. By all accounts, it seems to be a typical marriage of their generation. Relatively equal and mutually satisfying. The couple has two children Malia and Natasha.


Mike Huckabee- After meeting in junior high school and finally dating in high school Mike, and Janet married in May of 1974. They redid their vows in 2005 in order to have a church sanctioned marriage and apparently, from various news reports, to get more wedding gifts as they registered at both Target and Dillards. They have three children, John, David and Sarah.


Rudy Giuliani- Rudy and Judi’s marriage began under suspicious rumors of affairs and cheating. The story is that they met in 1999 at an event for their kids’ school and it was love at first site. Judi was a big support to Rudy during his battle with prostate cancer. They became engaged in 2002 marrying on May 24, 2003. The couple has no children together. Rudy has two children with former wife, Donna Hanover: Andrew and Caroline. Judi has one child with one of her former husbands Whitney. There are six marriages between them.

Mike Gravel- is a little known candidate although he almost single-handedly ended the Vietnam War and the draft. Mike and Whitney married in 1984 after meeting on a blind date. They have no children together however; Whitney is an active stepmother to Mike’s children from his previous marriage. Gravel married Rita Jeannette Martin, in 1959, they divorced in 1980 largly due to Mike’s depression from his political and personal business failures. They had two children, Martin and Lynne..


Dennis Kucinich- This left leaning vegan candidate is our other candidate with a so-called Trophy wife, Elizabeth. They married three months after meeting on August 21, 2005. Elizabeth is 31 years younger than Dennis. The couple has no children. Dennis has been married twice previously. He has a child with one of his ex wives, Sandra Lee; the child’s name is Jacqueline.


Ron Paul- High School sweethearts, married happily for 50 years, Carol and Ron Paul, have a large family of five successful children: Ronald, Lori, Randall, Robert and Joy.