First Ladies In Training

In the modern era of presidential campaigning, no candidate's spouse has been so purposefully absent from the scene as Howard Dean's wife, an internist and mother of two in Vermont. Some laud her independence and nonpolitical bent, while others see these as a liability. The other candidates' wives have played more traditional roles in the campaigns. A look at how involved they have been.

JUDITH STEINBERG DEAN She loves treating patients and hopes to still practice medicine if her husband is elected to the Oval Office

GERT CLARK A community volunteer, the Army wife mingles with voters and gives speeches

THERESA HEINZ KERRY Independent and outspoken, the multimillionaire heiress jets in for coffee with voters

HADASSAH LIEBERMAN Doting and battle tested, she is constantly by her husband's side

JANE GEPHARDT The children's-health advocate does not mind smiling at her husband's "Dick and Jane" jokes

KATHY JORDAN SHARPTON A former backup singer for James Brown, she has stayed in the background

ELIZABETH EDWARDS The mother of three, a former lawyer, is closely involved in campaign strategy