You’ve probably heard by now Chelsea Clinton is pregnant with her first child. And odds are you've also probably heard some of this.
“As Chelsea gets ready for motherhood, political circles are buzzing about how this might affect a potential Hillary Clinton run for president." (Via CNN)
"Could a baby in the Clinton family take Hillary out of politics?" (Via MSNBC)
“Can we talk about the human drama that is Grandma Clinton?” (Via MSNBC)
Of course, Clinton hasn’t even said whether she'll run in 2016, but that hasn’t stopped the speculation over how her daughter's pregnancy might affect her shot at the White House.
A writer at Time mused "the grandma card" could prove useful.
The Wall Street Journal suggested it would help with "softening [her] image."
Whereas Politico’s Alexander Burns theorized Clinton's future-grandma status "may make the Iowa State Fair a less appealing place to spend the summer of 2015."
While the pundits debate what political ramifications Clinton's grandchild might have on her career, they've prompted an entirely new discussion: Would the same question ever be asked of a male politician?
Certainly in 2012 Mitt Romney didn’t face the same scrutiny — despite welcoming his 22nd grandchild on the campaign trail. Probably because, well, being president and being a grandparent obviously are not mutually exclusive. (Via ABC)
So, why bring politics into what's otherwise an exciting time for Hillary Clinton and her family? Some would argue there's an element of sexism at play.
A writer Jezebel says "The only way this question wouldn't be sexist is if we lived in a society in which women running for president were required to offer up their first-born grandchild as a sacrifice to the electoral gods."
Then again, perhaps there's some validity to all the 2016 talk. After all, the Clintons have made no secret their desire to be grandparents. Not to mention, the former first lady has been using her newfound private life to deflect the big question.
HILLARY CLINTON: "I’m not going to make a decision for a while because I’m actually enjoying my life." (Via YouTube / Robb Barrett)
HILLARY CLINTON: “I wouldn’t mind one of those grandchildren that I hear so much about.” (Via The Wall Street Journal / Clinton Global Initiative)
CHARLIE ROSE: “President or grandmother?”
BILL CLINTON: “If you ask her, I think she’d say grandmother, but I have found it best not to discuss that issue.” (Via CBS)
Bottom line, says the Center for American Women and Politics's Debbie Walsh, all the hype surrounding the baby news shouldn't come as a surprise. "Everything is about the clue to the big decision..." (Via USA Today)
