8 Chapter 7 Politics

Chapter 7 Politics In October 1910, Franklin began his first campaign. Eleanor wanted to be with him, but she had just given birth to Elliott. So she stayed home. She wrote Franklin every day. She encouraged him to speak out to people. And so Franklin bought a car and visited every village in upstate New York. And he won! He was the first Democrat to win there since 1878.

Eleanor and Franklin and family moved to the state capital in Albany, New York. At last, in her own home, Eleanor took charge. Within twenty-four hours, she had everyone settled in the new house. She fired servants she did not like. She

hired new ones. She organized the house. She met the neighbors. She held "open houses." During an open house, people from the area that Franklin represented came and talked with Franklin. Eleanor loved her new life. Every afternoon, she spent time with her children. She read to them. They had tea. And she played with them after dinner. Early mornings, she met with people in their homes. She helped Franklin in his new career in any way that she could. In 1913, Franklin became assistant secretary of the navy. This was an important post. The family moved to Washington, D.C. Again, Eleanor did all she could to help Franklin in his new job. She called on other wives in Washington. She listened

to Franklin's speeches and gave advice on them. What's more, he listened. Franklin valued Eleanor's opinions. They made a good team. People reminded Franklin that Eleanor's Uncle Teddy had once held his new job, and Teddy had gone on to be president. Maybe one day Franklin would, too. During their time in Washington, Eleanor learned to be the perfect political wife. She gave parties for over two hundred people. She spoke many different languages. People said that with her tall, thin figure and her thick hair piled up on her head, she looked like the perfect "Gibson Girl." Even Sara admitted that Eleanor had never looked or sounded better.

In the 1890s and early 1900s, people wanted to dress and look like the illustrations that they saw in popular magazines. One famous illustration was the "Gibson Girl." Charles Dana Gibson created the Gibson Girl. She was described as taller than most women, full of spirit and independence. She wore her brown hair piled high on her head. She looked like a well-bred young woman. Eleanor and her friends tried to dress and look like Gibson Girls. But, for Eleanor, fashion never was as

important as for some. What interested her most were the issues of the day. The United States entered World War I in 1917. Suddenly, soldiers were everywhere in Washington, D.C. Eleanor worked hard for the Red Cross. She visited soldiers. She served coffee and food. This work made Eleanor feel useful and wanted. The people she worked with loved her and admired her skills. The soldiers said how kind and thoughtful she was. Eleanor was so busy that she hired a young, pretty secretary named Lucy Mercer. But soon Lucy was spending more time with Franklin than with Eleanor or the children. Lucy and Franklin