Greene: Democratic race splits a Denver household

"Shallow" is how Jen Evans describes her husband's backing of Barack Obama. J.W. Postal characterizes Evans' support for Hillary Clinton as "uninspired" and "typical."

"Typical of what?" she challenged, eyes narrowing.

"You know, you and other strong- willed, bitter women," he retorted.

Evans promptly removed herself from the couch in their Lowry living room.

Postal turned to me: "That word, 'bitter'? Can that be off the record?"

Such is the state of the union between two diehard Denver Democrats who in 20 years have never disagreed politically about much more than whether to put a Howard Dean sticker on the bumper of their minivan.

To say the couple is irked by each other's picks for president would be an understatement as their — and so many other couples' — bickering intensifies before Tuesday's caucus.

"Well, I'm not going to divorce you over this," was all she could offer for comfort.

Evans comes to her candidate as a working mom who admires Clinton's efforts to reform health care and thinks she would be more capable of responding to a terrorist attack.

She didn't wince when Postal, one of Colorado's 14 Democratic superdelegates, backed New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's failed presidential bid.

But Obama, she figures, is too untested to deserve the embrace of the man she loves.

Evans worked for U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell when he defected, overnight, from the Democratic Party. That left her leery of feeling too inspired by any politician.

And so she rolled her eyes Wednesday while Postal described Obama's mojo at his Denver rally that morning.

"You should be a more sophisticated consumer of politics than to be swayed by one speech," she told him.

Postal stood firm, asserting that Obama's experience rivals Clinton's and that his guy's ability to inspire him and a younger, more cynical generation trumps all else.

Still, the investment consultant is as much for Obama as against Clinton, whom he sees as "grating."

Herein lies the rub.

In Postal's aversion for Clinton, Evans hears — or fears — a sort of conservative talk-radio misogyny. Not because her husband is a chauvinist or hasn't pulled his weight at home. But because of a remark he made 15 years ago.

"OK, so I said I hated Hillary's headbands," Postal confessed. "Apparently, that makes me a woman-hater."

"Please. He has no taste," said Evans. "This man would dress me in Spandex and an updo for the rest of my life."

And so degenerates a perfectly reasonable discussion among two informed voters into bunk about headwear.

Despite their barbs, there is something sweet about a man who sought his wife's nod before picking a candidate. And there is something loving about a woman who gave it because she knows "he loves this stuff and really wanted to participate."

Evans and Postal will cancel each other's votes while caucusing Tuesday.

They expect their 9-year- old Carly to stand by her mom because she too dreams of a country where a girl can grow up to become president. They figure 2-year-old Calvin will stand with his dad because he likes saying "Barackobama."

Six-year-old Jackson remains undecided.

They will be careful to let him stand wherever he feels comfortable.

And they will put a hand on his shoulder, hoping some day he will feel proud to have two strong parents and a president who lived up to both of their dreams.

Susan Greene writes twice weekly. Reach her at 303-954-1989 or greene@denverpost.com.

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