You describe a very common conundrum that I believe men face when they do realize how crappy they may have been to their wives – not intentionally but either because such behavior was the model they witnessed or they didn't know better or they earnestly thought they were doing the best.

The problem is, that when you (in the generic) do realize it, you need to Step Away From The Wife – or significant other, or daughter, or mother or sister or friend, NOT get more involved – because then you end up overcompensating and insulting the fact that the woman has had to try to rise up or achieve for x number of years when you WEREN'T aware of how you were being. So to try and make up for those years by getting in her face and everyone else's in an attempt to say, I SUPPORT HER! SHE IS THE BEST! – well, that's not really what I believe a lot of women want anyway.

Do you know what I mean (and can you tell I've, ahem, experienced this a bit personally!?)?

At least I realised this. And I presume, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, who are my age, may be thinking like that…!!!”

I find this to be a very interesting and provocative idea. Not sure if I agree or disagree, although the example of my own father certainly fits.

A few thoughts. I apologize for the rambling:

I would suggest that Bill is incredibly important to Hillary's campaign. Without a popular ex President next to her saying “she really is ready” I doubt she could have gotten this far. In that respect, this may actually be a unique confluence of circumstances that could lead to our first woman president. What other woman on the horizon would have such a strong and popular leader covering her back? Given what i accept as the reluctance of many men to vote for a woman, the net plus to her campaign is far outweighed by any reduction in Bill's political capital for attacking back in support of his wife, and i am sure he could not care less if his capital is reduced. Bill is really the only one in her campaign who can effectively take on the Obama magic. Is he trying hard to make up for his transgressions and for dissing his wife so many times? I think you may be on to something here but i also think he wants to see a woman as president and he believes this is our one chance. Their relationship seems to be very strong and mutually supportive, and I have long believed they must be good people at the bottom of their souls who love each other to have raised such a splendid daughter as Chelsea. You dont raise a daughter like that if you are both “evil sh@theads.”

Breaking the gender barrier on the presidency; breaking the color barrier on the presidency. What an embarrassment of riches! We live in exciting times.