I liked all three of your descriptions, they ring spot on with me.

Some random thoughts inspired--

I dunno about the national mommy thing, though, in that case I think we would have ended up with a combo of Golda Meir, Eleanor Roosevelt, Evita and Margaret Thatcher. Not to mention bringing along a spouse that is not as self-effacing as Dennis Thatcher--just the kind of mom that might make you want to spend Thanksgiving at a bar.

The whole first family thing in this country is sort of bizarro when you really think on it. The politicians play to creating a great role model, and the public pretends to want that, but they really don't, what they want is dysfunction and then gossip and poop about it, and then use that to do pop psychology about the president.

Think about how most of the American public reacted to the whole Monica mess and how European pundits were scratching their heads. (I also think the European pundits would have understood better if they realized that we are missing that royal family thing and someone has to serve the purpose.)

It's like a game both the politicians and the public plays and they know it's a game, it's like a test: Can you play perfect nuclear family? Let's see you try! We want to see you try!

Personally, right now I find the Camelot-ization of the Obama family kind of icky, but I know that will pass if he's elected and meanwhile, it's fully in tradition. And that makes me rethink how radical Hillary was running as spouse in 92, they tried to do the Camelot thing for like 2 seconds and then gave up...as soon as Jennifer Flowers started squawking, it was "I'm not like Tammy Wynette standing by my man....was never going to stay home and give teas and bake cookies...."