Ann Romney, Cindy McCain, Hillary Clinton, Silda Sptizer...Why DO political wives stand up there on the stage, through the good, the bad, and (in McCain's case) the extremely boring? Is it pressure? Tradition? Choice?

"The presence of the dutiful wife is meant to cement the family credentials of the candidate, indicating that -- just like you -- he has an adoring family and perfect kids waiting for him when he heads home from the office. No one really believes that any more, but -- at least in the U.S. -- it’s necessary to go through the motions if only to reassure the family values constituency that you take them seriously enough to at least fake a happy marriage."

Article from the Canadian National Post.