By Kevin Aldridge
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The future of women in politics and possible war with Iraq were just a few of the topics the daughter of former President Nixon discussed during a speaking engagement Monday at the Aronoff Center for the Arts downtown.

Julie Nixon Eisenhower speaks at the Smart Talk lecture series Monday. (Mike Simons photo) | ZOOM |

Julie Nixon Eisenhower, author, volunteer and former journalist, spoke to a crowd of about 2,000 women as part of the Smart Talk lecture series. Smart Talk, formerly known as Unique Lives & Experiences Women's Lecture Series, was started 10 years ago in Toronto as a discussion forum for women.

The series has been held in Cincinnati each of the past five years. The Cincinnati Enquirer has been its chief local sponsor.

Mrs. Eisenhower talked about life in the White House, how the presidency has changed since the 1960s and the challenges women face in politics.

In an interview before her speech, Mrs. Eisenhower discussed President Bush's push for war with Iraq and the likelihood of the country getting its first woman president.

"Presidents do not go into war lightly," she said. "It is a tremendous responsibility making the decision to send young men possibly to their deaths. I know Bush must deeply believe this is the only course."

Mrs. Eisenhower said that while women are becoming involved in local politics in record numbers across the country, not as many are campaigning for positions at the federal level. She attributed that to many women not being willing to sacrifice time away from their families. Mrs. Eisenhower also pointed to the lack of privacy in politics and the double standard she said still exists for men and women.

"Women have more to prove than men when it comes to politics," Mrs. Eisenhower said. "Basically, women have to prove they are strong at all times.

"And then when they go on the attack, they have to not appear mean because those women often get the label of being `catty,' " she said.

"Women have to prove they are good mothers, as well. Men don't have to worry about these things, for the most part."

Still, Mrs. Eisenhower said, she believes our country will see a woman president in her lifetime.

"I don't see a candidate on the scene right now," she said. "But it is going to have to be a candidate that people can look at as a leader and not as a man or a woman."

Mrs. Eisenhower was a 19-year-old sophomore at Smith College when her father's presidential campaign began in 1968. She has written three books, including the best-selling Pat Nixon: The Untold Story.

E-mail kaldridge@enquirer.com

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