All in the Presidential Family

Spouses don't always see eye-to-eye, but what if one is running for president?

ByABC News
February 10, 2009, 10:15 PM

June 28, 2007 — -- A husband and wife usually disagree on a lot of things: the bills, who takes out the trash, when to visit the in-laws, etc.

But what happens when a candidate running for president disagrees with their spouse on a voting issue?

Often the consequences are beyond a simple spat, playing out not over the breakfast table but on the campaign trail instead.

Spouses of presidential contenders have a unique role: They are offered as surrogates, as reflections of the candidates, echoing their platforms.

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards claims he was surprised when he picked up the morning paper Monday. His wife, Elizabeth Edwards, was making the headlines – and it wasn't because she was repeating a campaign theme; she was splitting with one.

"I don't know why someone else's marriage has anything to do with me," Elizabeth Edwards said at the kickoff of San Francisco's annual gay pride parade Sunday. "I'm completely comfortable with gay marriage."

Her husband, who is making his second bid for the White House, opposes same-sex marriage. But he does not think the Constitution should be amended to define marriage as between a man and a woman. He insists that this issue is the "single hardest social issue" he's faced.

In a joint appearance with her on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" Monday night, Edwards reiterated his position: "I'm very strong about ending discrimination against gay and lesbian couples … But I'm not quite where Elizabeth is yet."

Presidential scholar Norm Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute said this difference between the Edwardses is a plus for the campaign.

"John Edwards is trying first and foremost to appeal to the party base, and he has a track record on same-sex marriage. It's not easy to step away from it, but when his wife takes this position, it suggests where the family dynamic is," Ornstein told ABC News.