Ruth Clusen holds a degree in secondary education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and began her career as a teacher in Montana. She served as President of the League of Women Voters, where she championed environmental issues and women's rights, including moderating a presidential debate. Clusen then transitioned to the public sector as Assistant Secretary for the Environment at the United States Department of Energy, focusing on reducing fossil fuel consumption. Post-1981, she has been a member of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents.

Ruth Clusen's political identity is marked by a blend of environmental advocacy and women's rights activism, with a notable strategic flexibility that has seen her align with opposing factions on certain issues. Her early career as a teacher and her leadership in the League of Women Voters underscore a commitment to grassroots mobilization and public education. Clusen's tenure as Assistant Secretary for the Environment reveals a surprising convergence with industrial interests on environmental regulations, suggesting a nuanced approach to policy that balances regional economic concerns with broader ecological goals. Her rhetorical style is likely to be both principled and pragmatically adaptable, compelling observers to question how she reconciles these seemingly disparate elements.