If anybody needed further confirmation that a presidential election is imminent, this is it. On Wednesday morning the would-be Republican first lady, Ann Romney, will co-host Good Morning America, following in a long line of candidates' wives to take to the daytime TV sofa to discuss taxing issues of the day, ranging from cooking to their families.
In a move that walks a fine line on journalistic and political integrity, Mrs Romney will co-host the lead-off 8am hour alongside George Stephanopoulos as a stand-in for Robin Roberts, who is undergoing treatment for a blood disease. Romney appeared on the show in July for an interview with Roberts, who asked her about her husband's refusal to release his tax returns.
Good Morning America has also lined up some less political substitutes for Roberts, including the cast of Modern Family, as well as Rob Lowe and Stephen Colbert.
Daytime television appearances are part of the job of being married to a president during campaign season. Here are some the highlights of previous performances:
Michelle Obama
The first lady has made more than 40 television appearances in the past decade. She has been on chat shows in the morning, afternoon and late at night, and has made appearances on tween program iCarly, reality show the Biggest Loser and at the BET Honors.
She also went on Sesame Street, which is basically a requirement for first ladies – and one that Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton and Barbara Bush all fulfilled.
Laura Bush
Laura Bush did the daytime television hosting gig for Today in 2008 when she and her husband were on their way out of the White House.
Hillary Clinton
This is the former first lady who was almost president, and the current secretary of state, bowling on Ellen in 2008.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt (yes, that Eleanor Roosevelt) appeared on the panel game show What's My Line in 1953. On the show, panelists ask the mystery guest questions to figure out their job. The first question she was asked was: "Are you accustomed to facing crowds?"
Bess Truman
Bess Truman appeared on the CBS show Person to Person in 1955 with her husband-president, Harry Truman. Their daughter Margaret interviewed them while substituting for Edward Murrow. You can watch outtakes from that appearance in this two-hour-long CSpan documentary. Or you can watch a clip of her unsuccessfully attempting to break a champagne bottle on an aeroplane instead.
