Maria Shriver Should Run for California Governor

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I agree, her credibility is gone. Its 2011, people, women do not have to behave this way! I have more admiration and I can respect the spouse of the South Carolina politician who resigned. She was an investment banker and as soon as she found out about the husband and the South American woman, she separated from him. She seems a lot brighter than Maria, no offense. This isn't the 1950s, women do not have to 'stand by their man.'

Eieeln of NY 8:43AM August 13, 2011

Re: "As for those that would suggest (and many have in recent days) that she has marred her reputation (because of her loyalty to her spouse)"
There is a difference between being loyal to your spouse and helping him lie to the voters of CA. Her credibility is gone.
I like the Kennedys as much as the next person, but why should a niece of JFK, a broadcast journalist with no political experience, have been in a position to annoint her husband Governor? We don't have royalty in this country, and nobody should be granted that kind of power based on the achievements of their parents and uncles. People should be judged by their own achievements.

Karen of CA 11:06PM May 30, 2011

Jamie,
Thanks for throwing down the gauntlet to Maria Shriver (and to all). (1) Maria certainly has a solid academic foundation in "things political," with a BA in American Studies from Georgetown University. (2) Moreover, the political savvy that is part of the fabric of her very being would also serve her well. (3) Furthermore, throughout her life, she has demonstrated a concern for the downtrodden....e.g., she has long been an advocate for people with intellectual disabilities, she is deeply invested in critical health issues (such as alzheimers, even to the point of spearheading and producing a four-part documentary series on alzheimers), and recently she also inaugurated the "WE Invest Program," that assists women in launching and growing their own businesses (etc.). That is, she certainly has a strong social conscience and is deeply concerned about social justice.
Of course, in a recent book of hers (_Ten Things...._) she has stated that her passion has long been to serve within the national media (and, of course, she has significant accomplishments in that realm as well)...so perhaps she will now return to that vocation in earnest. But perhaps (as you suggest) she will enter politics. I would certainly welcome that...she would be, I am quite convinced, a very fine governor, senator (etc.).
As for those that would suggest (and many have in recent days) that she has marred her reputation (because of her loyalty to her spouse), I would simply note anew that many people have done or said things for the sake of the perceived or real assumption that it was best for "the family" (spouse, children, parents, siblings). Maria Shriver deserves the same grace and understanding that we give to our friends or family members that have made great personal sacrifices for such reasons.
In sum, my thanks to Jamie Stiehm for an article that reminds us all that life is a marathon and that Maria Shriver has much to contribute to humanity during the remainder of her life.

C. A. Rollston of TN 11:22AM May 25, 2011

Are you delusional? She LIED for her husband on the campaign trail, and as a result, her buffoon husband got elected and wrecked our state. Sixteen women accused him of groping but she said not to listen to them and to listen to her. These women provided dates and details of the incidents. Did she really believe that all sixteen of these women were lying? I don't think so. She was willing to look the other way as long as it brought her family prestige. But a child with the maid? Not so prestigious! So now it's time for her get a divorce. What a sad mess for the children.

Karen of CA 2:45PM May 24, 2011

Maria for governor???? Another liar in office. This is the woman who helped Arnold into office in the first place by selling us a pack of lies. She know all along he was a groper and a sex addict and had distain for women. But she saw fit to cover this up so that he could get elected. Now we should have her as governor! Wow, talk about crazy! You people need to see this woman for what she really is. She is a manipulator and will do anything at any expense to get what she wants. Imagine what her children saw in that household filled with lies. They must have felt so crazy. Now she is done with Arnie. Why? Why now? After 25 years, after selling him to the public, after the damage has been done to all, why now? Yes, we do need her for governor. Let's carry on the Schwarznegger tradition.

Marcee Moran of CA 1:20PM May 24, 2011