Time to give credit where it's due. Most of the coverage of would-be First Ladies floats somewhere between meaningless and downright offensive, but the Washington Post this morning ran an interesting conversation among five deep thinkers on the topic. The bit that had me jumping out of my chair? One of the five was Rebel Dad fav Dan Mulhearn, the first gentleman of Michigan. That alone made me happy.

Here are Dan's thoughts: "I think the first spouse should choose whatever she or he desires. My sisters in the sorority of governors' spouses (and the few brothers in the fraternity) are all over the map -- businesspeople who have quit jobs, some who try to do it all, teachers and housewives who embrace a newfound public calling. No matter how we play it -- and our fields are the minor leagues compared to living on Pennsylvania Avenue -- we all make sacrifices in terms of privacy, family time and personal life. If some love it -- as I do, having quit a great business as an executive coach and a consultant in leadership development to volunteer for my bride, Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm -- good for them. I can't imagine a more satisfying life than recruiting mentors for at-risk youth, writing speeches and consulting for my wife, and helping state leaders develop their leadership skills. But if others, like Judith Steinberg, choose not to do it, God bless them, too."

Nice sentiments. And nice that someone thought of asking Dan to give 'em.

As an aside, there are a couple interesting bits in this piece on Girl Scout Cookie economics. 1) They quote a "cookie mom" that happens to be a dad -- good for him. 2) The business is really quite interesting. Well worth the read, just for the cocktail party facts (assuming that you live somewhere where Girl Scout cookies are appropriate cocktail party conversation).