Okay, this poll had a sample size of only about 500 women, and it was conducted by Ladies Home Journal. Nevertheless, I found the results surprising: Both Democratic and Republican women say the Edwardses have the happiest marriage among presidential candidate couples. In second place are Barack and Michelle Obama. Considering that one-third of female voters supposedly judge candidates at least partly on how happy their marriages appear, this is good news for Democrats. Also pretty cool: it's the "non-traditional" marriages between two out-spoken high-achievers that American women admire. All the top-tier Democratic spouses this year are successful attorneys in their own rights, as Ann noted in TAP last month, while Republican wives like Ann Romney continue to emphasize their commitment to hearth and home. Looks like female voters aren't falling for the pandering. Though you know what? I bet it's conservative men, not women, who are more assured by breadwinner candidates with demure, stay-at-home wives. --Dana Goldstein
