Julianna Margulies: Wives Of Philandering Politicos “Gullible” For Supporting Them

Actress Julianna Margulies spoke out on the issue of political cuckoldry in the latest edition of More magazine. And while her intentions were noble, the message was anything but kind.

As the star of “The Good Wife,” Margulies was, predictably, asked about wives whose politician husbands wind up embroiled in high-profile sex scandals. Specifically, the magazine asked her about watching wives like Silda Spitzer and Dina Matos (former wife of New Jersey Governor James McGreevey) stand next to their husbands at quote unquote those press conferences, according to the New York Post:

“I remember thinking, ‘Get off the stage!’ I couldn’t believe the women were gullible enough to get up there, and I couldn’t believe that the men could be such a–holes to ask.”

A–holes to ask? Yes, definitely. But “gullible?” Wait a minute.

First, the obvious question: Why are we criticizing wives who endure bitter, ugly, humiliating public scandals that can — and do, sometimes — destroy their families? There are a select group of people out there who, unless they just killed a puppy, should be granted greater consideration before public reproach. I nominate Silda Spitzer and Dina Matos to join that group.

Also, “gullible?” What about the fact that these women have kids? Or that they’re trying to hold it together, be brave in public, and all that? Are we to think they’re too stupid to realize they have choices?

Of course, we’ve heard this before. This brings us back to the frequent criticisms against Hillary Clinton — the idea is that these women are somehow culpable in their husbands’ philandering because they didn’t stick it to ‘em in public. If only they’d been stronger, less “gullible” they’d put an end to this, is the message. Since when is it these women’s job to inform people whether or not they’re cool with cheating?

“Oh, so wait, you didn’t want me to cheat? I had no idea! Thanks for clearing that up,” said no husband, ever. And I think the rest of us are clear on their stance, too.

I appreciate what Margulies is trying to say here — stick up for yourself, don’t be a doormat, et cetera. But whether any of these women would like to prove that now (or on some other occasion) is their call.

TAGS: julianna margulies | silda spitzer

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