Wasserman Schultz goes glam in 'Vogue'

An ultra-glamorous Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz graces the pages of the October issue of Vogue in a profile just as flattering as the pictures that accompany it.

The Democratic National Committee chairwoman is almost unrecognizable in the photos, which show her in designer dresses with her trademark curls blown-out and wearing what appears to be a lot of makeup.

Wasserman Schultz's strike-a-pose is a different look for a lawmaker known for her rapid-fire schedule of fundraising, congressional duties, television appearances and being a mom of three.

The piece paints the Florida Democrat, who has a reputation for being one of the hardest workers on Capitol Hill, as a superwoman: "To run the DNC in a presidential year, serve in the congressional leadership, manage a softball team and be a mother to three ... requires preternatural energy, as well as a large number of costume changes."

It also calls her the "Jewish mother of Congress," noting she is "constantly fussing over the well-being of her staff, trying to get better food in the congressional cafeterias, fretting about their romantic lives, and always remembering their birthdays with cake."

Wasserman Schultz discusses her battle with breast cancer in the article, noting she didn't tell anyone she was fighting the disease because "I just knew there would be well-meaning people who would decide not to ask me to do things because I was going through cancer. I wanted to decide what I was capable of doing."

And, Vogue being Vogue, the piece also notes Wasserman Schultz's battle with her weight: She gained 23 pounds because of her cancer treatment, but lost it through Fresh Diet food delivery system, going from a size 8 to a size 2.

Buried in the article is a hint of a tense relationship with the most powerful woman on Capitol Hill, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), noting the DNC chairwoman "has been actively trying to mend fences with Pelosi."

In describing the tension, the piece makes a vague mention of Wasserman Schultz not backing Pelosi's choice for majority leader, a reference to the 2006 leadership elections, when Wasserman Schultz backed Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) over Pelosi favorite the late Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.).

It describes how Wasserman Schultz recently stayed late at a lunch to mark Pelosi's 25th anniversary in the House, adding she "refused to leave before it was over."

As for Pelosi, the article notes that she "would comment for this story only by email."

Pelosi's statement to the mag: "Debbie is a critical asset to our Democratic Caucus, a leading voice for our party and a strong advocate for working families. Moving forward, she'll continue to carve out her place among the next generation of House Democratic leaders and the next wave of powerful women trailblazers."

Wasserman Schultz had a different take on their relationship when The Hill interviewed her in 2010. At the time, she said she followed Pelosi's playbook and considered her "a role model."

---